JAPAN, facing economic and social problems partly due to its ageing population, could take a leaf out of Singapore's book, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said yesterday.
It could study how Singapore turned to foreign workers to boost its economy, he said.
He was asked how Japan could break its cultural and economic barriers in integrating foreigners at a dialogue to mark the 40th anniversary of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry Singapore.
He said: "Japan faces a difficult choice here. If it continues its policy, it will have an ageing population which does not consume much - old people do not change cars or televisions every year. One of the reasons why the Japanese economy is not bouncing back, despite stimulus packages, is because the consumer market is down."
Japan has to consider letting the younger generation take up political and business leadership earlier, and to embrace women as part of its workforce.
The "old system of women being house-bound" is no longer possible, MM Lee said.
"They're educated, can make a living and don't want to be slaves to their husbands and their husbands' parents.
"I know many Japanese women who married Singaporeans here. They don't have to look after their in-laws, they live in their own homes."
http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%...11-185250.html
It could study how Singapore turned to foreign workers to boost its economy, he said.
He was asked how Japan could break its cultural and economic barriers in integrating foreigners at a dialogue to mark the 40th anniversary of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry Singapore.
He said: "Japan faces a difficult choice here. If it continues its policy, it will have an ageing population which does not consume much - old people do not change cars or televisions every year. One of the reasons why the Japanese economy is not bouncing back, despite stimulus packages, is because the consumer market is down."
Japan has to consider letting the younger generation take up political and business leadership earlier, and to embrace women as part of its workforce.
The "old system of women being house-bound" is no longer possible, MM Lee said.
"They're educated, can make a living and don't want to be slaves to their husbands and their husbands' parents.
"I know many Japanese women who married Singaporeans here. They don't have to look after their in-laws, they live in their own homes."
http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%...11-185250.html
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