Japan in Uncharted Demographic Territory
A Presentation by Professor James Raymo
Princeton University
Presented by the Center for Japanese Studies
Japan’s population is currently the oldest in the world and is shrinking by more than half a million people each year. These changes are the result of five decades of below-replacement fertility, driven in large part by later and less marriage, alongside increases in longevity. As countries across Europe, East Asia, and beyond confront similar demographic shifts, Japan stands at the forefront of a transformation that will shape social and economic life in the twenty-first century.
This talk provides an overview of key demographic trends in Japan over the past 50 years, focusing on changes in marriage, fertility, divorce, living arrangements, and population aging. It considers multiple, interrelated explanations for these trends, including economic restructuring, gender inequality, employment uncertainty, and changing family norms. The presentation also examines the broader social, economic, and political implications of sustained low fertility and population decline, highlighting consequences for inequality, intergenerational relationships, health at older ages, and social policy. Japan’s experience offers important insight into both the challenges and possible trajectories of demographic change in aging societies worldwide.
5:30 PM Tuesday, April 21st, 2026
Smith Memorial Student Union
Room 327/8/9
Please use entrance on SW Broadway
Free and Open to the Public
For more information on The Center for Japanese Studies and our upcoming events, please visit:
https://www.pdx.edu/japanese-studies