Mind the Generational Gap: Japan’s Division Between Young and Old
Japan is reputable for its cohesive, clean, and orderly society.
Crimes rates are drastically low compared to the rest of the world, gun violence is close to none, and life expectancy is one of the longest. It seems like an extremely comfortable country to live in, and the truth isn’t so far from that. Healthcare is accessible to all, as well as education, where the literacy rate is 99%, according to The Guardian.
This isn’t an observation of whether Japan is a good country or not, because such a statement lies in the opinion of the individual, but, statistically, it is seen as an ideal place to live.
Its ultra-vividness in terms of culture, arts, fashion, food, and history does make it a dream. Generation after generation, Japan never fails to add new thrills and expand its technological field. Just look at Tokyo’s most popular districts, like Harajuku, Akihabara, Shibuya, and Ginza, and it’s obvious that its richness expands in so many directions.
On the other hand, Japan has been called out for being complacent, although many can admit that it can be equivalent to peacefulness. However, this sense of serenity, or stagnancy, can be directly linked to its institutions and the National Diet of Japan (simply put, the Diet is the government or parliamentary system of this country).
If one looks closer at this seemingly perfect country, one can find out that gender equality is far behind compared to its global counterparts, and LGBTQ+ rights are slim. Looking at the country from the inside, it seems like some areas of the country have difficulty catching up to the modern era. The Nippon archipelago is such a rich and advanced country, so why are its rules so outdated?
In recent years, there has been a noticeable gap between the older generations and the Japanese youth, precisely senior citizens and Generation Z. People ages 65 and up occupy over 28% of the population [Statista], and people ages 15 to 24 occupy around 10% [CIA World Factbook]. In fact, Japan has the biggest percentage of elderly people in the world, and saying it’s causing some trouble within the country would be a euphemism.
In the late 60s and early 70s, Japan was a punch of power. Riots and protests were common, and sexual liberation, along with experimental substances, was trending among the youth and outsider communities. This behemoth movement of breaking out from the mold quickly settled into a business-oriented society after the generations aged and the economy rose.
What once was observed as free and innovative is today seen as inappropriate, taboo, or even degenerate. However, the youth today is interested in these aspects again, which is characteristic of every young generation, but there’s a twist to it in Japan.
There has been a quick shift in the interests of today’s young people. People in their early twenties and younger are very different from their counterparts aged mid-twenties and over. The latter-mentioned group is known to be quite the opposite of the first group, and they’re often labeled as the “sexless” generation. These people, along with some older peers, are seen as rarely proactive, work and family-oriented, “herbivorous” people. In Japan, people categorized as “herbivores” are passive, calm, often shy, and content with the bare minimum.
One thing that could hint at people’s complacency is comfort. Japan is an extremely peaceful country, and its culture frowns upon confrontation. This could discourage people from taking action, and taking the initiative is something reserved for leaders. Politics are distant from the minds of the older youth group, and they don’t feel pressured to vote.
On the other hand, the youngest Japanese generation, also called the Satori generation, rolls its eyes at their elder’s tranquil attitudes. Unlike others, they’re invested in politics and social causes. They have shown a lot of interest in causes like the recent Black Lives Matter movement and issues regarding LGBT and gender equality. For them, climate change is also on their minds, and it's safe to say they’re one of the most eco-conscious generations, mostly because they will be affected by climate change as they age.
The appeal of the Japanese workforce is diminishing, because of the exhausting and inhumane work hours of salary-man culture, resulting in a bigger interest in alternative careers in the field of art, business, and entertainment, with a focus on independence. Freelance work and remote work are increasingly common because the range for freedom of expression, work hours, and comfortability are appealing.
Additionally, the Satori generation is a progressive and self-sufficient generation. Because of their close relationship with social media platforms, they find it easy to express themselves online and offline. The exposure to various topics, global news, and social causes raised them to have an open mind when it comes to culture, people, and backgrounds.
The media is bombarded with news about hikikomori rates and obsolete marriage values. On the outside, it looks like the youth is uninterested in participating in society and building various relationships. However, it only seems this way because the older generation, who’s in charge of running the country, has little contact with today's young people, and they’re painting a reality based on how they see society. In fact, the average age of a member of the Diet is 55.53 years old.
Understandably, the authorities are anxious about the low birth rates and want to encourage people to get married and raise children, in order to keep this society afloat. It seems like they are taking some measures to encourage this, but the Satori generation deems it not enough.
First of all, the housing market is nearly out of reach in terms of affordability, and those small apartments easily accessible on the market are just not fit for raising a big family. Also, the minimum wage is considered to be low compared to the cost of living, and although Japanese citizens have good buying power, a lot of young people who want to have children consider it impossible because of their taxing jobs and costly expenses revolving around having a baby and taking maternal or parental leave.
On top of that, the older generation seems to size down the LGBT community considerably, viewing them as unique and rare cases. In 2019, it was established that at least 10% of Japanese people consider themselves sexual minorities, however, it’s safe to say that the number may be greater because many are still closeted. Though Satori people are pushing for a safe and diverse society, the older generations still seem uncomfortable with queer people, and, even if they’re accepting, they often view these minorities as the “other” and consider them “not average”.
This alienation does not help create better laws and puts a stop to the development of families because same-sex marriage and adoption are not recognized, and accessible and supported health care in relation to gender-based issues and transitioning for transgender and non-binary Japanese people isn’t available.
Although most of the Satori generation may still be young, they are fuelling a change in society’s attitude towards taking action. This Japanese Gen Z group can be considered less proactive compared to their international counterparts, but nonetheless, they are breaking down traditional and outdated standards and stereotypes. Japan, in itself, is still a wonderful country with a complex history and a culture just as fascinating. Socio-political issues aside, it’s full of innovation and holds a promising future.
About the Author:
Mizuki Khoury
Born in Montreal, based in Tokyo. Sabukaru’s senior writer and works as an artist under Exit Number Five.
