Demographic Change and the Decline of Japanese Power

Identifier

89

Author

Jacob Dylan Riddle

Date

2016

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

Major

Political Science

Concentration

Japanese

Committee Chair

Kaelberer Matthias

Abstract

Japan is currently experiencing two major demographic shifts: the elderly demographic of the population is growing rapidly in comparison to all other groups, while young adults are disengaging from society in droves and deciding against marriage and parenthood. These changes are creating cultural and economic problems on both sides of the demographic spectrum. Analysis using Power Transition Theory shows that Japan has been unsuccessful in preventing population decline, with mixed success in protecting its economic and political sources of power. Japan is expected to attempt to maintain the political status quo, and can therefore expect to undergo an inevitable period of decline before any recovery is possible, though soft power may provide a way for Japan to remain relevant in world politics.

Comments

Undergraduate Honor's Thesis

Library Comment

Honors thesis originally submitted to the Local University of Memphis Honor’s Thesis Repository.

Recommended Citation

Riddle, Jacob Dylan, "Demographic Change and the Decline of Japanese Power" (2016). Honors Theses. 53.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/honors_theses/53