The Business of Ageing
Japan's population has already peaked, and the first of the "baby boomer" generation are due to retire next year. As a result, by 2050 the population is forecast to fall from 127m to just over 100m.
Japan is set to be the 'greyest population' in the world with 40% over 65 years of age by 2050, leading to spiralling health and social security bills that will have to be financed by a working population that is already in decline.
Read the article Solving Japan's age-old problem (you can do this in the window below or follow the previous link to read the article in a separate window) and then consider answers to the questions below.
For further background on Japan's fallen population please read the following article
Question 1
Define the terms:
- demographic change
- innovation.
Question 2
Explain how some Japanese manufacturers have changed their product mix in response to the ageing population.
Question 3
Analyse how demographic change can impact on business objectives and strategy.
Question 4
Discuss how Japanese producers can use market segmentation, targeting and positioning to differentiate their products from competitors.