Japan has been facing a population decrease over the past years. In fact, the birthrate in the country has dropped to a record-low since the records began in 1899. Meanwhile, the country is also considered to be a “super-aged” nation which means that more than 20% of its population is older than 65 years old. The country’s total population is expected to decrease by 88 million in the year 2065.

One of the main reasons for the population decrease in Japan is caused by lack of regular jobs for young people. The labor law in the country limits the opportunity for people to find long term jobs. That is why most young adults do not want to have their own child as they fear that they are not financially ready for such responsibility.

The population decrease has put economic growth at risk. Japanese people are also aging out workforce. So by the year 2036, it is expected that only one in three people in the workplace are elderly. According to the Minister of Communications and Cultural Affairs, it is important to deal with the issues on birthrate and the aging population for economic growth.

In 2017, the Japanese government launched a policy that is expected to solve the problem. It aims to promote the use of supply systems in the workplace such as robots. Nowadays, many restaurants, stores, and banks have been using the system to provide service to their customers. In addition to that, they also improved the “social security system” that does not only support the elderly and the youth but also the working people which will allow them to provide and support the needs of their children.

Biodiversity refers to the different life forms on Earth. It describes the balance of life and the variations within species. Biodiversity is significant to all the living things on the planet.

At the present time, the Earth’s biodiversity is being threatened. There are more than 17,000 species worldwide that are at risk of extinction. If the extinction of many species happens, it would be almost impossible for humans and all other living things to survive.

The island of Yakushima is covered with dense forest that is home to many unique species. Unfortunately, the biodiversity on the island is at risk. One of its reasons is the damages caused by the yakushika, a small type of deer. Researchers found that trees and ferns along the paths where yakushika deer are often seen are disappearing rapidly.

However, human activities have significantly contributed to this. For instance, the paths cut by humans to get through the forest becomes a way for deer to easily reach the vegetation areas.

The government is considering the population control of yakushika to solve this problem. However, if many yakushika lose, it might lead to a more serious problem. So, it is important to think about population control carefully.

The Japanese government, along with other countries and international organizations, formed a study group that focuses on finding ways to detect and remove mines in the safest way possible. This was started in 2002 which also aims to help Afghanistan recover from the severe damages of war.

Hirose Shigeo was one of the members of the team who went to Afghanistan. He watched how local people disarm mines using simple tools. Having been able to witness this dangerous job made him realize that there must be a way to do it using his robots.

Hirose introduced the Titan X to the Afghan people and told them that it could help in removing mines. However, the Afghan people did not agree to this as they fear that it might take away their jobs. So, he went back to Japan and was able to come up with an idea to use an ordinary four-wheel vehicle that has a movable arm that can be used to locate mine. This robot will mark the location of the mines. Meaning, they would only serve as a guide and the Afghan people could keep their job which is to remove mines using simple tools.

Japan has been doing a continuous effort to contribute to the international movement that aims to clear all mines in the world.