
Japan going down the drain
by Michael Hoffman for the Japan Times
Can things get much worse for Japan? In 2006, its population will peak, prelude to a sharp decline. In 2007, an unprecedented 3 million workers will retire, shrinking tax revenues and swelling pension rolls. In 2009 the crisis will be educational: the dwindling number of university applicants will match the number of places available. Standards will plunge; no one will be turned away....2009, [Shukan Shincho (June 30)] magazine fears, will see the nation's universities brought to their knees. It will be "the year of the idiot student."....more...