6.2 Contemporary Life

In Japan, various changes are taking place in society as urbanization, depopulation, aging, and low birth rates are progressing simultaneously. In cities, people's sense of alienation and isolation is increasing. In rural areas, the sense of solidarity is weakening due to the outflow of local residents, and the influence of urban culture is becoming stronger, resulting in a loss of regional individuality.

We discuss some specific examples of challenges that current Japanese people face:

Many Japanese workers had extended hours and limited vacation time, making finding a healthy work-life balance difficult.

In the past 20 years, there has been a significant shift in employment values, with a growing emphasis on work-life balance rather than dedicating oneself solely to a company's development and 出世(しゅっせ:career advancement). Additionally, there has been an increasing interest in 副業(ふくぎょう:side jobs) recently.

Due to コロナ禍(ころなか:the coronavirus pandemic), テレワーク(remote work) has become more prevalent, particularly among regular employees and large companies, with 22% of the workforce now teleworking. While Japan has traditionally been a country where working from home was uncommon, the pandemic has forced many companies to adopt this practice. This has led to some positive changes in work-life balance, as workers can avoid long commutes and spend more time with their families. However, remote work has also brought challenges, particularly around work and personal time boundaries. With workers no longer physically leaving the office at the end of the day, switching off from work and maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be challenging. Additionally, some workers feel pressure to work longer hours to compensate for not being in the office, which can further blur the lines between work and personal time.

Japan's declining birthrate is a severe problem that the country is facing. The birthrate in Japan has been decreasing steadily for several decades, resulting in a rapidly aging population and a shortage of young workers. The issue is so severe that the Japanese government has implemented various policies encouraging childbirth, including financial incentives and support for working mothers.

One of the primary reasons for the declining birthrate is the increasing trend of people choosing to delay or forego having children. This trend is often attributed to various factors, including the high cost of living, a challenging work culture, and a preference for individual lifestyles.Another factor contributing to the declining birthrate is the decreasing availability of affordable childcare and education. As a result, many young couples are hesitant to have children due to the financial burden of childcare and the lack of support from employers.

Also, there has been a trend toward delayed marriage and an increase in unmarried individuals. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as 晩婚(ばんこんlate marriage) and 未婚(みこんunmarried/ single). Various factors have contributed to this trend, but one major factor is the changing role of women in Japanese society. Women are increasingly pursuing higher education and career opportunities, which often delays the timing of marriage. Another contributing factor is the changing attitudes toward marriage and family. Traditional values prioritizing marriage and child-rearing are not as strong as they once were, and many young people view marriage and family as optional. Furthermore, the rise of individualism and the desire for personal fulfillment have led many young people to focus on their goals and interests rather than pursuing traditional societal expectations.

出生率の低下(しゅっせいりつのていか:The declining birthrate) is significantly impacting Japan's economy, as it is causing a decrease in the workforce and an increase in healthcare costs for the elderly. The government has implemented 少子化対策（しょうしかたいさく:a range of policies and initiatives aimed at promoting childbirth and raising the birth rate), but it remains a significant challenge for the country's future.

💰年金制度 (ねんきんせいどNational Pension System)The decreasing population has caused labor shortages in some areas of the Japanese economy, so some companies have increased the mandatory retirement age. Because the number of retirement-aged people is much larger than the current middle-aged population, the national pension system is stressed. All workers in Japan must enroll in one of the two types of pension known as 国民年金(こくみんねんきん: the National Pension Plan) or 厚生年金(こうせいねんきん:Employee's Pension Insurance Plan) The current issue with Japan's national pension system is that since the middle-aged population is smaller than the generation that will retire soon, people are worried that they will not receive a pension. This financial uncertainty continues to be a challenge in Japan. 

高齢者ケア(こうれいしゃケア:elderly care) In Japan, it is considered natural for many people to 自宅介護(じたくかいご:care for their elderly parents personally at home). However, in recent years, as the aging population has increased, receiving care in 施設(しせつ:care facilities) for those in need of care has become more common as a solution to this problem.However, there are many challenges in 施設. For example, there is limited space availability and longer waiting periods. As a result, people in need of care and their families face issues such as what kind of care they can receive during the waiting period and who will provide care.In addition, there needs to be more staff in 施設. A lack of care staff may result in the inability to provide appropriate care for those in need. Care staff may also face health problems due to stress from long working hours and poor working conditions.To solve these problems, the Japanese government is taking various measures such as improving care facilities, improving the working conditions of care staff, easing immigration policy to retain care workers, and introducing new technologies. However, as the aging population in Japan is expected to continue to increase, the number of people in need of care will also increase, so addressing this issue will be necessary for the future.

Diversity and inclusion have been areas of growing importance in Japan in recent years, particularly as the country faces demographic challenges such as an aging population and a declining birthrate. However, while progress has been made, much work still needs to be done to create a truly inclusive society in Japan.

One area of progress is the increasing visibility of minority groups in Japan. This includes groups such as women, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Women, in particular, have made strides in recent years, with the government setting a goal of having women occupy 30% of leadership positions in both the public and private sectors by 2020. While this target still needs to be met, there has been progressing in this area, with more women occupying leadership roles in politics and business.

In addition, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of diversity in the workplace, particularly in the private sector. Japanese companies are actively promoting diversity and inclusivity by hiring more 外国人(がいこくじん:foreign nationals), implementing non-discrimination policies, and providing equal opportunities for career advancement.

However, despite these efforts, there are still challenges to promoting diversity and inclusion in Japan. One major challenge is the deeply ingrained cultural norms and attitudes prioritizing conformity and homogeneity. This can make it difficult for minority groups to be fully accepted and included in Japanese society. In addition, language and cultural barriers can also be significant obstacles for non-Japanese individuals seeking to integrate into Japanese society.

While there has been progressing in promoting diversity and inclusion in Japan, there is still much work to be done to create a truly inclusive society. It will require continued efforts from both the government and the private sector and a shift in cultural norms and attitudes to create an environment that fully embraces and celebrates diversity.

🗣️ 外国語 (がいこくごこくご:Foreign Languages) With an increasing number of 外国人 in Japan and the trend toward 国際化(こくさいか:globalization )have made 英語 (えいご:English language )proficiency increasingly crucial in Japanese society. As the number of foreign residents and 外国人旅行者(がいこくじしゃ:tourists) in Japan continues to grow, it has become necessary for Japanese people to communicate in English to interact effectively with these individuals.

You do not see many English speaking Japanese people. This is primarily because Japan is mostly composed of a single ethnic group, so there has not been much of a need to speak another language. Learning foreign languages in Japan is mostly focused on gaining a deeper understanding of other cultures through foreign literature, so the emphasis is usually on reading and writing. For example, many Japanese people can read and write English, but they may not be able to speak it as well. However, recently there has been a shift in foreign language education. With an increasingly interconnected world, being able to speak more than one language has become quite a valuable skill. Many schools have started exposing students to English at a much earlier age. Many children's books and educational materials now have versions published in English. Also, rather than just learning how to read and write, speaking English is now taught from a young age. English teachers are in high demand in Japan. Since there are not many teachers in Japan who can properly teach English, many teachers from America come to Japan and teach. Students always love these teachers, as they are fun and different from their other teachers.

戦後(せんご:After world war II), the people in Japan were busy securing stable food, clothing, and housing. During 高度経済成長期(こうどけいざいせいちょうき:the period of high economic growth), the common belief was that working hard was the only way to improve one's standard of living, so there was little time left for leisure activities.

In the late 1960s and 1970s, as disposable income increased along with the rise in national income levels due to significant 経済成長(けいざいせいちょう:economic development), people began to actively utilize their leisure time, leading to the expansion of the leisure market. In addition, adopting 週休二日制(しゅうきゅうふつかせい:a two-day weekend system )increased the potential for three or more consecutive holidays, gradually lengthening leisure time. During the 1980s バブル期(ばぶるき:bubble period), private and public sectors rapidly developed tourist facilities, large sports facilities, resorts, golf courses, ski resorts, and other leisure facilities, making leisure activities an essential part of daily life.

However, with the collapse of バブル経済(ばぶるけいざい:the bubble economy), the Japanese economy has continued to stagnate. As a result, the current society faces many social problems that differ significantly from 高度経済成長期, including 人口減少:じんこうげんしょうpopulation decline), 高齢化(こうれいか:aging population), 人口過密(じんこうかみつ:the concentration of population)in 主要都市(しゅようとし:major cities), 格差社会(かくさしゃかい:Social disparity) and 低経済成長(ていけいざいせいちょう:low economic growth),

in recent years, the impact of コロナ禍 has also caused significant differences in leisure trends. More than 30 years have passed since バブル崩壊(ばぶるほうかい:the collapse of the bubble economy), and the desire for a modest lifestyle has become firmly established among the general public. Especially for young generation, the trend has shifted towards enriching daily home life rather than spending extravagantly on luxurious outings, which has been accelerated even more during コロナ禍.

The trends in Japanese travel have changed over time. In the past, during バブル期 in the 1980s, many Japanese people had the financial ability to travel 海外(かいがい:overseas) and enjoy luxury travel experiences. However, in the following decade, the Japanese economy experienced a prolonged recession, and people started to focus more on 国内旅行（こくないりょこう:domestic travel) due to financial constraints.

In the 2000s, 格安航空会社(かくやすこうくうがいしゃ:low-cost airlines )began operating in Japan, making overseas travel more affordable and accessible for many Japanese people. As a result, there was an increase in overseas travel, especially to nearby Asian countries.

More recently, there has been a growing interest in エコツーリズム(eco-tourism) and sustainable travel, as well as a focus on experiencing local culture and cuisine rather than just sightseeing. Additionally, コロナ禍 has caused a significant shift in travel behavior, with many Japanese people opting for 国内旅行l or canceling travel plans altogether due to health concerns and travel restrictions.

The daily eating habits of Japanese people have changed significantly in tandem with changes in agricultural production. During the food shortage in the immediate post-war years, people ate more さつまいも(sweet potatoes), 大麦(おおむぎ:barley), and キビ(millet), which were more abundant and cheaper than 米(こめ:white rice).

In the early 1950s, 米 regained its traditional position as the center of the Japanese diet with small amounts of 野菜(やさい:vegetables) and 魚(さかな:fish) ,which were considered おかず(side dishes) , but soon after, 肉(にく:meat),パン (bread), and 乳製品(にゅうせいひん:dairy products), which are 主食(しゅょく:major foods) in 西洋(せいよう:West), began to enter the Japanese diet on a large scale. Many people believe that the changing tastes of young people's food preferences were due to the 給食(きゅうしょく: school lunch program), which served 牛乳(ぎゅうにゅう: milk) and パン along with hot dishes. While rice consumption has decreased, modern Japanese people consume more 肉, パン, and 乳製品 than before. In the 1970s, 洋式(ようしき:Western-style) レストラン(restaurants) and ファーストフード(fast food) further changed the eating habits of urban Japanese. From 和食(わしょく:traditional Japanese meals) centered on ご飯(ごはん:rice) for 朝食(ちょうしょく:breakfast )and 夕食(ゆうしょく:dinner ) and 麺類(めんるい:noodles) for 昼食(ちゅうしょく:lunch), most urban population now eat 洋食(ようしょく:Western food) for 朝食 and 昼食, with ご飯 becoming the main staple at夕食.

In recent years, the Japanese population has faced health problems related to poor dietary habits, including high rates of 肥満(ひまん:obesity), 糖尿病(とうにょうびょう:diabetes), and other 成人病(せいじんびょう:lifestyle-related diseases). To address these issues, the government has recognized the importance of educating the public about healthy eating habits and the nutritional value of food.

食育 is a Japanese term that refers to food education, which aims to promote healthy eating habits and lifestyles among the Japanese population. The Japanese government has been actively promoting 食育 through various initiatives and programs, recognizing the importance of good nutrition for the health and well-being of its citizens.One of the key initiatives of the Japanese government is 食育基本法(しょくいくきほんほう：Shokuiku Basic Law), which was enacted in 2005 to promote 食育 in schools and communities. The law includes provisions for promoting food education in schools and promoting the importance of nutrition and healthy eating habits in the community.

食育 has several vital components. It emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet, including various foods from different food groups. 食育 promote the cultural and social aspects of food, including an appreciation for traditional Japanese foods and food culture, an understanding of how food is produced and its impact on the environment. 食育 specifically focuses on traditional Japanese cuisine emphasizing fresh, seasonal fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. This approach is closely aligned with the principles of スローフード(slow food), a global movement that emphasizes the importance of local food cultures and the preservation of traditional food practices.The government aims to preserve the culinary heritage and revitalizing the region through local production for consumption. Japan is heavily dependent on food imports, which can be expensive and subject to fluctuations in global markets. By promoting local agriculture and encouraging the consumption of seasonal and locally grown ingredients, the government hopes to create a more sustainable food system that can support the needs of its citizens in the long term.