Stimuli

One thing you notice about Japanese small towns is how depopulated they are. For a while now the Japanese have been abandoning country towns for the big cities. Many a westerner dreams of retiring to the country.  A Japanese dreams of retiring in a city. That's where the amenities are, that's where their companions are. Also agriculture needs less people now.


To add to Japan's woes, the birth rate has been below replacement.  Having children is a lot of work and expense for a working couple and they often stop at one. Planners are worried about the aging population.


So far this is common knowledge. When you visit you will notice that the government has been throwing money at country towns, probably to provide work but also in a attempt to kickstart consumption.  Unfortunately the economy stubbornly refuses to fire.  Adam observed this spending during his bicycle tour.  Spanking new schools for a handful of kids, new hospitals, civic facilities that hardly get used, museums for trivial exhibits, and so forth have been built.  In Toya-ko Onsen, there is a Memorial Museum to the G8 summit held there in 2008 when the Global Fried Chicken struck.  Exhibits include the table the world leaders used. Wow, I can see the tourists queuing up to visit that. 


Adam thought that the problem is that their legal and administrative system doesn't give much support to small businesses. The economy is dominated by the corporate behemoths and jobs with those are located in the large urban areas. It's really a pity, because with small businesses and tip-top computer and communications technology, which Japan lacks nothing of, jobs could be distributed to country areas.