A new article by Alex K.T. Martin in The Japan Times explores the future of Japan's cities in light of the country's declining population. Martin references a special feature in the April 1920 edition of Nihon Oyobi Nihonjin magazine, which made predictions about what Japan would look like in 100 years. While some predictions were inaccurate, others have come true, such as the increase in life expectancy and the use of solar energy. Professor Tomoya Mori believes that due to the declining population, half of Japan's cities are at risk of disappearing in the next 100 years. However, Fukuoka is one of the few metropolitan regions that may see growth. The article also emphasizes the importance of quality journalism in a time of misinformation and an overwhelming amount of information [8ece3ca3].
Nancy Snow's article in Nikkei Asia highlights the importance of Japan's competitiveness and efficiency in maintaining positive perceptions. Snow argues that while perceptions of Japan have never been better, authorities need to focus more on competitiveness and efficiency to ensure long-term success. She suggests that Japan should prioritize these factors rather than relying solely on positive perceptions [3d1a4d37].