Forum for the Future We Choose: Tackling Japan's Population Decline

On October 27, 2023, the 'Forum for the Future We Choose' officially launched in Tokyo, spearheaded by the Japan Productivity Center. This initiative brings together a diverse coalition of stakeholders to address the pressing issue of Japan's declining population, aiming to foster a sustainable society that thrives on diversity and growth.

As Japan enters a new era characterized by significant population decline, the forum aims to cultivate a vibrant community that supports diverse lifestyles and working methods. The underlying theme, 'Rethinking Our Lives and Work in an Age of Population Decline,' sets a clear mission to promote thoughtful engagement from all sectors of society. This includes business leaders, labor representatives, local governments, organizations dedicated to childcare support, experts, and youth.

At the inaugural meeting, the chairman of the Japan Productivity Center, Yoshimitsu Kobayashi, welcomed the participants. He was followed by Hirokazu Masuda, the Vice Chairman of the Center and co-leader of the Forum, who outlined the organization’s purpose, bylaws, leadership structure, and plans for this fiscal year. His insights provided a roadmap for the forum’s future endeavors.

Following the opening, a commemorative symposium took place, drawing around 300 participants from various sectors, along with an online audience of approximately 400. The first session, titled 'What We Can Do Now for the Future,' featured members of the forum's 'Future Dialogue Team' relaying messages from the younger generation. The second session delved deeper into the theme of living, working, and adapting in a world grappling with population decline, prompting discussions from diverse perspectives including local government, corporate sectors, labor organizations, and academia.

Looking ahead, the Forum for the Future We Choose has ambitious plans to further engage the public in this critical issue. This will include hosting more symposiums, seminars, dialogues with stakeholders, information dissemination, research studies, and policy recommendations aimed at igniting a national movement around this societal challenge.

Key Participants:

Co-Leaders (in alphabetical order):

- Reiko Aikie, Vice Chairman of the Japan Productivity Center and co-representative at the Boston Consulting Group Japan
- Miya Kobayashi, Representative Director of Yaito-Hito Co., Ltd.
- Shinji Hirai, Governor of Tottori Prefecture
- Hirokazu Masuda, Vice Chairman of the Japan Productivity Center and advisor at Nomura Research Institute
- Akio Mimura, Honorary Chairman of Nippon Steel Corporation
- Tomoko Yoshino, Vice Chairman of the Japan Productivity Center and President of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation

Future Dialogue Team (in alphabetical order):

- Shugo Ikemoto, Advocate for the National Network to Support Young People
- Mikura Ochi, Executive Director of the NPO manma
- Miya Kobayashi, Representative Director of Yaito-Hito Co., Ltd.
- Makiko Shinoda, Director of Yell Inc.
- Yusuke Tsuji, Managing Partner at the University of Tokyo Cooperative Platform Development Corporation
- Keita Nishiyama, Visiting Professor at the University of Tokyo Center for Future Vision
- Ren Yamamoto, Head of the Local Women's Professional Project

This forum marks a significant step towards actively confronting the demographic challenges facing Japan, focusing on inclusive partnership and collective responsibility.