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International Journal of
Population Studies Population aging and immigration in Japan
the historical immigration data including unauthorized Acknowledgments
immigrants were not available. Accurate immigration data
are difficult to obtain (Disney et al., 2015; Raymer et al., I would like to express my appreciation to Dr. Gabriela
2013; Sardoschau, 2020). Furthermore, the relationships Sánchez-Soto, anonymous reviewers, and the editor. This
study could not have been accomplished without their
found in this study do not imply the relationships between suggestions and comment.
demographic change and the overall international
migration, as the overall international migration includes Funding
international out-migration or emigration. Furthermore,
the relationships found in this study do not imply a causal None.
relation from demographic change to immigration change, Conflict of interest
as the main purpose of this study was to examine the
relationship between demographic change and immigration The author has no conflicts of interest to declare.
change. More research is clearly warranted to shed light on
the theme. Author contributions
This is single-authored article
5. Conclusions
Ethics approval and consent to participate
This study examined how population composition is
related to population change, specifically immigration to Not applicable.
Japan for the period 1975 – 2019. The results indicate that
an increase in the ratio of the population aged 60 – 64 to Consent for publication
the total population of 1 year prior is associated with a Not applicable.
decrease in the ratio of foreign resident population to the
total population of Japanese nationals, while an increase in Availability of data
the ratio of the population aged 65+ to the total population In this empirical analysis, publicly available secondary data
of 1 year prior is associated with an increase in the ratio were used.
of foreign resident population to the total population of
Japanese nationals. A 1% increase in the population aged References
65+ of 1 year prior is associated with a 1.018% increase in Asahi Shimbun. (2021). Foreign workers in Japan hit record in
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In addition, the results indicate that decreases in the com/ajw/articles/14149062 [Last accessed on 2023 Apr 07].
total fertility rate and unemployment rate of 1 year prior Australian Government Productivity Commission. (2006).
are associated with increases in the number of foreign Economic Impacts of Migration and Population Growth.
national residents. Melbourne, Australia: Productivity Commission Position
Report. Available from: https://apo.org.au/sites/default/
Increases in the share of the population aged 65+, files/resource-files/2006-01/apo-nid2795.pdf [Last accessed
until approximately 2050, seem to be unavoidable. This on 2023 Apr 07].
increase is likely to lead to labor shortages. In the short-
term, an increase in the labor force can be accomplished Bartels J. (2023). Summary of Vietnam’s Labor Market in 2022.
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workers originate are also likely to face domestic labor
shortages in future. Alternatively, decreases in the total BBC Worklife. (2018). More Seniors, More Foreigners: How Japan
is Changing. Available from: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/
fertility rate are avoidable. The labor force can be increased article/20181210-more-seniors-more-foreigners-how-
long-term by increasing the total fertility rate. Policies to japan-is-rapidly-changing [Last accessed on 2023 Apr 07].
increase the total fertility rate are still important to improve
the labor market. Bijak, J., Kupiszewska, D., & Kupiszewski, M. (2008). Replacement
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To conclude, population composition plays a central population and labor market strategies for the aging Europe
role in determining Japan’s immigration. Some methods 2002-2052. Population Research and Policy Review, 27(3):
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supply include focusing on the population aged 60 – 64 Bijak, J., Kupiszewska, D., Kupiszewski, M., Saczuk, K.,
and 65+ because they are related to immigration in Japan. & Kicinger, A. (2007). Population and labour force
Volume 9 Issue 1 (2023) 26 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.407

