The age factor in Japan's elections - 28 Aug 09

Japan's population is ageing at an alarming rate. The country has the highest proportion of elderly in the world. Twenty-two per cent of its people are 65 or older.

It also has the second lowest birthrate in the world after Hong Kong. That could explain why the DPJ's child allowance of $270 a month is such a popular platform.


Fifty one percent of people in their 20s say they will hit the polls. That's up from 46 per cent four years ago.
But the figure is low compared to the 84 per cent of people in their sixties who plan to vote.


Overall turnout is expected at 74 per cent.

Al Jazeera's Steve Chao reports from Nara, Japan on how the age factor is affecting this year's election.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• nara
• japan
• elections
• age
• steve
• chao
• al
• jazeera

[Cajaquarius]

Wow, Hayakawa Kumiko looks amazing for a 36 year old woman. I would have pegged her at late teens, early twenties.

[zentonil]

If it's purely disinterest they wouldn't make the effort to disable comments. Disinterest is fine, they don't need to read any of our comments but I think we ought to have the ability to discuss the news with eachother and share our views!

[zentonil]

No one can comment on most Al Jazeera videos, if you don't care about opinions don't read the comments. You obviously cared enough to comment wise guy.

[crazyjedimindtrick]

They probably think most people don't give a damn about your opinions. I Certainly don't.

[Mattinmotion]

Not being interested in your opinion isn't censorship, it's disinterest.

[zentonil]

Why do most Al Jazeera videos disable comments, and some even disable ratings??

*****VOTE 1 STAR ON ALL AL JAZEERA VIDEOS TO PROTEST THEIR CENSORSHIP OF OUR OPINIONS!!*****

[neomartian]

Great report. Liked the last bit 'snapshot of Japan's future'.

[AshecaWinry]

Japanese men and women live forever...

There's no need to populate.

But in all seriousness, young people should have a say in elections. New ideas and opinions are the basis for our future and it's important (not to make babies), but to have a healthy start of ideas that will be desired for the new future.

[covertcovenant]

The wise funny man at 1:57 hit the nail on the head and said it right...