Both Japan and Korea have been strongly pro-natal basically forever, and both are staring into the abyss in terms of maintaining their native populations.
Both suffer from exactly the same set of problems:
(1) Massive numbers of people living in densely-packed, high-rise apartments. Population density inversely correlates to birthrates in developed countries.
(2) If you factor in Forced Fun Time and commuting, salarymen in Japan often work nearly all of their waking hours, six days per week. Korea is worse, from what I understand.
(3) The male population is deeply unfit here in Japan. This correlates strongly with low birthrates.
(4) Pay is very low. It is exceedingly difficult to raise a family on the average Japanese or Korean salary until you are in your late 30s or early 40s, by which time you don't have the energy or inclination.
(5) Whatever time, capital, and energy that remains is commonly spent on games, porn, and booze, all of which are highly profitable.
It's a downward spiral, and would take drastic action, most of which would cause significant short-term pain for the wealthiest chunk of the population. Ergo, it's not going to happen.
Both suffer from exactly the same set of problems:
(1) Massive numbers of people living in densely-packed, high-rise apartments. Population density inversely correlates to birthrates in developed countries.
(2) If you factor in Forced Fun Time and commuting, salarymen in Japan often work nearly all of their waking hours, six days per week. Korea is worse, from what I understand.
(3) The male population is deeply unfit here in Japan. This correlates strongly with low birthrates.
(4) Pay is very low. It is exceedingly difficult to raise a family on the average Japanese or Korean salary until you are in your late 30s or early 40s, by which time you don't have the energy or inclination.
(5) Whatever time, capital, and energy that remains is commonly spent on games, porn, and booze, all of which are highly profitable.
It's a downward spiral, and would take drastic action, most of which would cause significant short-term pain for the wealthiest chunk of the population. Ergo, it's not going to happen.