4 ms·

wow, using technology to increase productivity to make up for stable population rather than importing millions of people who will be out of jobs due to technolo

wow, using technology to increase productivity to make up for stable population rather than importing millions of people who will be out of jobs due to technological advances in a few years. Truly a game changing strategy

claudiawerner 8y ago
It's strange how these discussions are framed in terms of the dehumanizing "importing people". Maybe it's a reflection in the minds of those who say it of the idea that people are only means to an end, commodities to be imported and exported.
hopler 8y ago
That doesn't make sense. If productivity increase is inevitable, it's not a game changer strategy. If technology increases human productivity, then immigrants won't be unemployed in a few years, consumers will be wealthier.
- somebodythere 8y ago
  Consumers will be wealthier only if the productivity gains from automation end up in consumers' wallets--and because employment is the main way that money gets into consumers' wallets, this is not a given.
airstrike 8y ago
Where exactly do you intend to fit all of those immigrants in one of the world's most densely populated countries? And the jury is still out on if, when and how many people will be unemployed due to technical advances.
- aeontech 8y ago
  Japan’s local governments are trying to give away millions of abandoned houses: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/japan-free-abandoned-house https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/japan-free-aban... Similarly to rural Italy, France, Spain and USA, as people move to urban centers, rural population falls and small towns die. Japan’s demographic situation makes their case extra difficult at the moment.
  - airstrike 8y ago
    Those immigrants want to move to the same urban centers because they're looking for work, not a retirement home, so the issue remains.
jplayer01 8y ago
Japan doesn't have any obligation to enable more immigration and give everybody jobs.

claudiawerner 8y ago

It's strange how these discussions are framed in terms of the dehumanizing "importing people". Maybe it's a reflection in the minds of those who say it of the idea that people are only means to an end, commodities to be imported and exported.

hopler 8y ago

That doesn't make sense. If productivity increase is inevitable, it's not a game changer strategy. If technology increases human productivity, then immigrants won't be unemployed in a few years, consumers will be wealthier.

somebodythere 8y ago
Consumers will be wealthier only if the productivity gains from automation end up in consumers' wallets--and because employment is the main way that money gets into consumers' wallets, this is not a given.

airstrike 8y ago

Where exactly do you intend to fit all of those immigrants in one of the world's most densely populated countries? And the jury is still out on if, when and how many people will be unemployed due to technical advances.

aeontech 8y ago
Japan’s local governments are trying to give away millions of abandoned houses: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/japan-free-abandoned-house https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/japan-free-aban... Similarly to rural Italy, France, Spain and USA, as people move to urban centers, rural population falls and small towns die. Japan’s demographic situation makes their case extra difficult at the moment.
- airstrike 8y ago
  Those immigrants want to move to the same urban centers because they're looking for work, not a retirement home, so the issue remains.

jplayer01 8y ago

Japan doesn't have any obligation to enable more immigration and give everybody jobs.