Japan's rapidly ageing population is well known, but the problems it creates are not confined to Japan. The rest of Asia is going to experience the same phenomenon, asserts Makoto Atoh, director-general at the National Institute of Population Research in Tokyo.
Japan has completed a 'fertility transition', where families produce not five but around two children. Its population has peaked and has begun to fall. Hong Kong and Singapore are about a decade behind. China, as well as the developing markets of South and Southeast Asia, will reach their peaks by 2050 รป which means some Asian countries will experience growing work forces, more consumption and more investment opportunities for four more decades.
But 17%...
