To wonder if it's possible to have an open and Frank discussion in UK about immigration

[DoeEyedNear]

And not have it shut down by people saying it's racist to discuss immigration. Not just here but in the press any mention of immigration and any debate is shut down with "can't say that it's racist"

'Economic powerhouse' was perhaps a bit of a stretch.

And yes - 'managing okay' is perhaps subjective, when a 3% increase in consumption tax (still about half the OECD average) tips your country into recession, economic policy that is focused almost entirely on borrowing costs, and no idea how and if debt levels will ever come under control - or what they'll do if borrowing costs rise.

Wikip says that Japan has 3rd largest global GDP, while per capita GDP is about the same as Britain.

compared to Greece hanging out in the league tables with Pakistan and Aruba for GDP (per or not per capita).

Sorry to others for derailing thread, I'll hide now in my office full of fellow immigrants who bring strawberries rather than worry about these things.

This is where I'm failing as an immigrant. I very rarely bring strawberries.

The issue with Japan is that despite its GDP it's still running a significant and structural deficit, in part to pay for changes to social care since the turn of the century. This is only going to get worse with demographic change without some significant structural changes to the economy, including less exposure to exports and higher domestic consumption to drive sustainable growth (the latter of course tougher in a shrinking population). That includes immigration, which the Japanese govt has been looking at quite seriously I think as a way to deal with some of the short and medium term issues. (Phew, got back to the topic there...)

I prefer blueberries. They remind me of my childhood home

Yeoldetrout

Old people dont cost as much in japan because daughters and daughters in law are expected to care for them in their own homes. Therefore there isn't the need for big pensions and paid for care there is in Northern Europe where nuclear families are expected to be independent of extended families.