[Looking for Diogenes]

Good point, Southack.

POPULATION: Japan Desperate for a Baby Boom
The article includes info like:

Already down to 1.42 children per family in 1996, latest statistics show Japan has a birthrate of less than one child per family.

At present, about 15 percent of the population is 65 years old and above. By year 2020, says the report, one in three people will be 65 or older, or 32.3 percent of the population.

One of the top reasons cited by Japanese couples for not having more than one or two children is economic, according to surveys conducted by the government. The high cost of living in Japan and a growing desire for luxuries can mean an average expense for child care of 20 million yen (166,000 dollars) per child until age 18, say family experts.

In the past several years, for instance, women have been delaying marriage and children in order to concentrate on their careers. An increasing number of young couples -- themselves products of small- size families -- also say they prefer to be without children.

The populations of Japan has not (officially) decreased yet, but it is growing very slowly.

[MinorityRepublican]

Already down to 1.42 children per family in 1996, latest statistics show Japan has a birthrate of less than one child per family.

Japan is screwed. They just don't have the people to make their economy to work anymore.

Japan were awesome in the 1980's. I guess it was their time. It's hard to believe that for a while, the Japanese were better than us. They had so many inventions, and the country was thriving. But I guess the nation has lost her desire to live. Another example of the Death of the West.

Tell me one Western country that have above replacement rate, and then I will be optimistic.