country statistical
profile no. 1
japan
country statistical
profile no.1
august 2008
august 2008
japan
Statistical Profile
Compiled by Masa Higo
introduction to japan
Japan is an island nation comprised of over 3,000 islands in East Asia. It is bordered by the
Pacific Ocean on the north and east, by the Philippine Sea and East China Sea to the south,
and by the Sea of Japan on the west. Japan occupies an area of 377,835 square kilometers
(145, 882 square miles), which makes it slightly smaller than the state of California.1 With its
capital in Tokyo, the modern structure of Japan’s government is based on a parliamentary
representative democratic monarchy.
About this Statistical Profile Organizations striving to be employers-of-choice in different countries
around the world need access to current information about the economic, social, political, and demographic
characteristics of the countries where
their employees live and work.
The Country Profile Series focuses
on statistics that can guide decisionmaking at the workplace: workforce
highlights, economic highlights, and
population highlights. This Country
Profile is part of a set of resources
about Japan available on the website
of the Global Perspectives Institute:
www.bc.edu/agingandwork.
Linguistically and ethnically, Japanese society is homogeneous with small populations of
foreign workers mainly from East and Southeast Asia. As of 2007, Japan’s population was
estimated at around 127.4 million, and is projected to age rapidly due mainly to Japan having the world’s lowest birth rate (1.34) and highest life expectancy rate in the world (85.52
years for women and 78.56 for men).2 In 2007, the oldest of the baby boom generation
– the largest cohort group in Japan’s history – had reached age 60. About 21.4 percent of
the population was over age 65 that same year, making Japan the most aged country in the
world.3
With its nominal GDP at around 4.6 trillion, Japan is the world’s second largest economy
after the United States. As a world leader in technology and machinery, Japan is a member
of G8, G4, OECD, the United Nations, and APEC; Japan is also the world’s fourth-ranked
exporter (chief exports: motor vehicles, semiconductors, and office machinery) and sixth
largest importer (chief importers: fuels, chemicals, and textiles). Since the end of WWII, in
close alliance with business sectors, the government has directly influenced the economy
through a variety of policies mainly through indirect control over the Bank of Japan.4 The
impacts of the “bubble economy” burst during the 1990s seemed to be over by 2005; real
GDP in Japan grew at an average of roughly 1.5 percent yearly between 1991 and 1999, and
the GDP growth for 2005 was 2.8 percent with primarily domestic consumption as the
dominant factor of growth.5
Sponsored by:
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agework@bc.edu
1
workforce highlights
àà 50 percent of the total Japanese population is in the labor force.6
àà The labor force is projected to decrease from 66 million in 2007 to 48.6 million in
2050.6
àà The August 2007 unemployment rate was 3.8 percent.6
àà In 2007, the average hours worked by Japanese employees was 154.9 hours per
month. This was a 0.8 percent decrease from the previous year.7
àà By 2013, employers maintaining a mandatory retirement will have set it at 65 or
older. Between the years of 2002 and 2007, the acutal average retirement age for
men is 69.5 and for women is 66.5.8
àà In 2007, about 19.7 percent of the total labor force was working part-time.9
àà About 14.7 percent of the total civilian employed labor force reported being selfemployed in 2005.9
àà As noted in figure 1b, 50 percent of the Japanese population is in the labor force,
compared to 58 percent in China and 32 percent in Laos (two of the selected Asian
countries included in figure 1a).
àà Fgure 2 compares the rate of employment as a percent of the total population in
Japan with other countries with high gross national incomes. The employment
rates of the countries included in figure 1b range from 42 percent in Italy to 53
percent in Germany.
àà The employment rates among persons aged 15-64 years are presented in figure 3.
Japan has the highest rate of employment for this age group compared to other
OECD countries.
àà The information presented in figure 4 compares the employment rates for each age
group with China and South Korea. In 2007, the employment rates for people age
55-59 was lowest in China (60.2 percent) and highest in Japan (76.9 percent).
2
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country statistical
profile no. 1
japan
august 2008
“(Gross national income is GDP less
net taxes on production and imports,
less compensation of employees and
property income payable to the rest
of the world plus the corresponding items receivable from the rest of
the world (in other words, GDP less
primary incomes payable to nonresident units plus primary incomes
receivable from non-resident units).”
10
OECD Factbook
figure 1a. Employed as a percent of total population, selected Asian countries, 2005-2007*
China
Thailand
Myanmar
Vietnam
Japan
Cambodia
South Korea
North Korea
Mongolia
Laos
58
56
54
52
50
49
48
41
37
32
0.0%
10.o%
20.o%
30.o%
40.o%
50.o%
60.o%
*Most recent available year
Source:General Statistics Office of Vietnam,11 National Bureau of Statistics of China,12 United States Bureau of
Labor Statistics,19 Mongolian National Statistics Office,15 and Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan.13
figure 1b. Employed as a percent of total population, selected high GNI countries, 2005-2007*
53
Germany
Canada
Japan
Austalia
United States
United Kingdom
France
Netherlands
Italy
0.0%
51
50
50
49
48
44
43
42
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
*Most recent available year
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics,16 Statistics Canada,17 United Kingdom Office of National Statistics,18 United
States Bureau of Labor Statistics,19 Central Intelligence Agency, United States of America,23 and Ministry of
Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan.13
agework@bc.edu
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figure 2. Employment Rates, Ages 15-64 by Gender: Japan and comparable OECD
nations, 2005
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
70
68
77
71
68
60
57
79
78
77
65
66
80
79
67
65
58
Men
Women
Ja
pa
n
Ca
na
da
N
et
he
rla
nd
Un
s
ite
d
St
at
es
Au
st
Un
ra
lia
ite
d
Ki
ng
do
m
an
y
er
m
G
Ita
ly
Fr
an
ce
45
Source: Organization for Economic-Corporation and Development.10
figure 3. Employment Rates in Japan, within age group, 2007
100.0%
84.6 80.9 80.2
80.0%
83.9 84.8
82.1
76.9
68.8
53.5
60.0%
40.0%
18.7
20.0%
0.0%
20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65+
Source: Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, Japan.7
figure 4. Employment Rates in Japan compared to selected Asian countries,
within age group, 2007
100.0%
80.0%
60.0%
40.0%
20.0%
0.0%
20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64
China
Japan
South Korea
Source: International Labor Organization.20
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65+
country statistical
profile no. 1
japan
august 2008
figure 5a. Current and Projected Employment Rates in Japan, within age group,
2007 and 2020
100.0%
80.0%
Figure 5a compares the 2007
employments rates for the different age groups in Japan with the
projected rates for 2020. As noted,
the employment rates among people
aged 55 and older are anticipated to
decrease over the next 13 years.
85 86
81
85
69 68
80 80
85 85
84 84
82 82
60.0%
77 78
54
47
40.0%
19
20.0%
0.0%
20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64
2007
14
65+
2020
Source: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan.4
figure 5b. Current and Projected Percentage of Population in Japanese Labor Force,
2007 and 2020
2020 Female
1
2020 Male
1
2007 Female
1
2007 Male
1
19
20
26
28
22
22
32
29
0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0%
Under 20
20 - 44
45 and up
Source: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan.4
agework@bc.edu
5
economic highlights
àà The 2006 estimate of the gross national product per capita in Japan was the
equivalent of $33,100. This compares to $43,500 in the United States.10
àà According to McKinsey, “By 2004… retired households will outnumber householder
in their prime savings years, so savings rates will fall dramatically. Equally important
but less noticed is the fact that younger Japanese people are saving much less than
their elders did.” 23
àà The gross domestic product of Japan shrunk by 1.8 percent in 1998 and 0.2 percent
in 1999. Gross domestic product growth, with did not exceed 2 percent from 1992
to 2003, was 2.3 percent in 2005.4
àà The Japanese national debt has increased steeply, from 68.6 percent of their gross
domestic product in 1990 to 173.1 percent of their gross domestic product in
2005.10
figure 6. GDP Growth. Japan and the United States, 1990-2005
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
-1
-2
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Japan
United States
Source: Organization for Economic-Corporation and Development.10
figure 7. National debt as a percentage of GDP, selected high GNI countries, 1990-2005
200.0%
150.0%
100.0%
50.0%
0.0%
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Australia
Canada
France
Germany
Japan
Netherlands
United Kingdom
United States
Source: Organization for Economic-Corporation and Development.10
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country statistical
profile no. 1
japan
august 2008
demographic highlights
àà In 2007, the Japanese population was 127,433,494 compared to 301,139,947 for the
United States and 49,044,790 for South Korea.13
àà The median age of the Japanese population in 2007 was 43.5 years, or 41.7 years for
men and 45.3 years for women.13
àà The life expectancy at birth for the Japanese population was 82.02 years in 2007,
78.67 years for men and 85.56 years for women.13
àà 99.0 percent of the population was of Japanese descent, with the remaining being
Korean, Chinese, Brazilian, and “other.” 13
àà The fertility rate in Japan was 1.23 children per woman as of 2007.13 Assuming that
current demographic trends continue, Japan’s population is expected to reach a
high of approximately 127 million in 2007 and decrease steadily to about 100 million
by 2050.14
figure 8. Median Age, selected countries, 2007
37.9
Female
45.3
44.3
United States
35.3
Male
41.7
41.8
Japan
Germany
36.6
Total
0.0%
43.5
43
10.0%
20.0%
30.o%
40.o%
50.o%
Source: Organization for Economic-Corporation and Development.10
figure 9. Life expectancy at birth, selected countries, 2007
80.97
85.56
80.93
Female
United States
75.15
78.67
73.81
Male
Japan
Germany
78
Total
0.0%
82.02
77.23
20.0%
40.0%
60.0%
80.0%
100.0%
Source: World Health Organization.14
agework@bc.edu
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àà In Japan, 18.2 percent of the male population and 23.7 percent of the female
population is 65 or older. In comparison: In France, 13.7 percent of the male population and 18.5 percent of the female population is 65 or older.
In Germany, 16.7 percent of the male population and 22.8 percent of the female population is 65 or older.
In the United States, 10.7 percent of the male population and 14.3 percent of the female population is 65 or older.10
àà In Japan, there is a bulge in the population for those age 55-59 years. In comparison,
there is a population constriction in the United States for those aged.10
figure 10a. Population Distribution by age, Japan, 2007
Male
10.0
8.0
6.0
Female
100+
95-99
90-94
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
4.0
2.0
0.0
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
% of Population
Source: United States Census Bureau21
figure 10b. Population Distribution by age, United States, 2007
Male
8.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
Female
100+
95-99
90-94
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
% of Population
Source: United States Census Bureau21
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7.0
8.0
country statistical
profile no. 1
japan
figure 10c. Population Distribution by age, Germany, 2007
Male
august 2008
10.0
8.0
6.0
Female
100+
95-99
90-94
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
4.0
2.0
0.0
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
% of Population
Source: United States Census Bureau21
figure 10d. Population Distribution by age, France, 2007
Male
8.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
Female
100+
95-99
90-94
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
% of Population
Source: United States Census Bureau21
agework@bc.edu
9
about the institute
Global Research Team &
Research Affiliates
Established in 2007 by the Center on Aging & Work, the Global Perspectives Institute is an
international collaboration of scholars and employers committed to the expansion of the
quality of employment available to the 21st century multi-generational workforce in countries around the world.
Armenia: Shoghik Hovhannisyan
Australia: Libby Brooke, Phil Taylor
China: Ce Shen, Qingwen Xu
The Global Perspectives Institute focuses on innovative and promising practices that might
be adopted by employers and policy-makers.
France: Emilie Bargues, Étienne
Campens, Mélanie Burlet, Ariane OllierMalaterre, Julien Pelletier,
Phillippe Trouvé
The Institute’s research, publications, and international forums contribute to:
Israel: Michelle Mor Barak
àà a deeper understanding of the employment experiences and career aspirations of
employees of different ages who work in countries around the world;
àà informed decision making by employers who want to be employers-of-choice in
different countries; and
àà innovative thinking about private-public partnerships that promote sustainable,
quality employment.
Italy: Louisa Diana Brunner, Simona
Cuomo, Chiara Paolina
Japan: Masa Higo, Noriko Kameda,
Atsuhiro Yamada
S. Korea: Min Jung, Jungui Lee, Othelia
Lee, Patricia Yu
Pakistan: Farooq Pasha
Russia/US: Natasha Sarkasian
Uruguay: Celina Pagani-Tousignant
UK: Richard Croucher, Matt Flynn, Suzan
Lewis, Emma Parry
US: Janet Gornick, Ariane Hegewisch,
Kathy Lynch, Tay McNamara, Marcie PittCatsouphes, Chantel Sheaks,
Martin Tracy
The Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College was founded in 2005 with a multi-million dollar
grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Center partners with workplace decision-makers in evidence-based research on employer and employee responses to the increasingly global multi-generational
workforce. These collaborations focus on quality of employment with the aim to inform employers with
research data to attract, engage and retain high quality industry talent. As of 2008, the Center has three
research streams – the Workplace Flexibility Initiatives, the State Initiatives and the Global Initiatives. Their
collective mission is to gather information and collaborate with leaders in the public, non-profit and business sectors in an effort to leverage today’s multi-generational workforce and globalization as competitive
advantages in the 21st century economy.
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http://www.bc.edu/agingandwork
country statistical
profile no. 1
japan
august 2008
references
1 Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Tourism, Japan (2007). Whitepaper on Land and Real
Property, 2007 Edition. Toyo: Office of Government Public Relations.
2 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (2007a). Monthly Population Estimate Report, April, 2007.
Tokyo: Office of Government Public Relations.
3 United Nations (2007). World Population Aging 2007. New York: United Nations, Department of Economic
and Social Affairs.
4 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (2007b). The World Statistics, 2007 Edition. Tokyo: Office of
Government Public Relations
5 Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (2007). Analysis of Labor Economy, 2007 Edition. Tokyo: Office of Government Public Relations.
6 Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan (2008a). Whitepaper on Labor Economy, 2007 Edition. Tokyo:
Government Public Relations.
7 Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, Japan. (2007). Labour Statistics. Retrieved June 13, 2007 from http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/database/db-l/index.html
8 Organization for Economic-Corporation and Development (2008). Ageing and Employment Policies - Average
Effective Rate of Retirement in 1970-2007. Paris: Organization for Economic-Corpreration and Development.
9 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan (2008a). Labor Force Survey. Retrieved October 2,
2008, http://www.stat.go.jp/data/roudou/longtime/03roudou.htm
10 Organization for Economic-Corporation and Development (2007) OECD Factbook 2007 – Economic, Environmental, and Social Statistics. Retrieved June 12, 2007, from http://stats.oecd.org/
11 General Statistics Office of Vietnam. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2007 from http://www.gso.gov.vn/
12 National Bureau of Statistics of China. (n.d.) China Statistical Yearbook—2006. Retrieved October 14, 2007
from http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2006/indexeh.htm
13 Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan (2008b). Japan Statistical Yearbook, 2008 Edition.
Tokyo: Office of Government Public Relations
14 World Health Organization (2008). World Health Statistics 2007. Retrieved July 20, 2008. http://www.who.
int/whosis/whostat/2007/en/index.html
15 Mongolian National Statistics Office. (n.d.) Retrieved October 14, 2007 from http://www.nso.mn/eng/index.
php
16 Australian Bureau of Statistics. (n.d.) Retrieved October 14, 2007 from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/
17 Statistics Canada. (n.d.) Retrieved October 14, 2007 from http://www.statcan.ca/
18 United Kingdom Office of National Statistics. Retrieved October 14, 2007 from http://www.statistics.gov.uk/
19 United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved October 14, 2007 from http://www.bls.gov/
20 International Labor Organization. Retrieved October 14, 2007 from http://www.ilo.org/
21 United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 14, 2007 from http://www.census.gov
22 Central Intelligence Agency, United States of America. (n.d.) The World Factbook 2007. Retrieved June 12,
2007, from www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
23 Farrell, D., & Greenberg, E. (2005). The economic impact of aging in Japan. The McKinsey Quarterly, May: 1-7.
agework@bc.edu
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