Because, Japan.

[sunday]

Dying peacefully.

The peacefully bit is a positive modifier, but the dying part is not good at all.

[urbanoid]

Over hundreds of years, which implies... hundreds of years to search for a solution.

And if no solution is found, it's better to die with dignity, that includes nations.

[sunday]

I thought we were discussing Japan, not Ancient Egypt, where a multi-century decay was the usual state of things, until some war or other make times interesting again.

Stasis is never a good thing for a country or civilization.

Edited March 1 by sunday

[urbanoid]

I was talking both about Japan and in general. If Japan stays on current course in 50-100 years it will still be Japan. The same can't be said about many countries in Europe, which won't preserve their identity. Sure, Japan's economy will be smaller, so what?

You're right, stasis is not a good thing. Turning your country into a third world dump in the name of holy GDP is worse.

Edited March 1 by urbanoid

[sunday]

Yes, most of Europe has Japan's problems of an increasing population age, and unassimilable immigration on top. Perhaps Spain a bit less, as the South American immigration has things in common with the native population.

But, still, ageing Japanese population is perhaps the most sever problem there.

 

[futon]

TAINAN (TVBS News) — Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) honored the legacy of Yoichi Hatta (八田與一), the engineer behind the Chianan Irrigation, at a memorial service marking 82 years since his death on Wednesday (May 8).

The event, held at the Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan, drew officials and representatives from both Taiwan and Japan, underscoring the deep ties and mutual support between the two nations.

Lai highlighted the significant contributions of the Wushantou Reservoir, constructed 94 years ago by Hatta, to agriculture, industry, and domestic water supply, including its role in supporting operations at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC, 台積電) in the Southern Taiwan Science Park.

He emphasized the reservoir's role in strengthening Taiwan-Japan relations and expressed hope for enhanced cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The memorial was attended by 18 dignitaries, including Presidential Office Advisor Huang Kun-hu, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Chen Tian-shou, and the head of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office, Kazuyuki Katayama.

...

https://news.tvbs.com.tw/amp/english/2480651

 

TAIPEI (Kyodo) -- Close to 200 people from Japan, including dozens of lawmakers, are expected to attend Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te's inauguration ceremony on May 20, the island's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

At present, 37 cross-party members of Japan's parliament and over 140 visitors from various local and non-governmental groups are expected to come to Taiwan for the inauguration event, the ministry said.

The delegation of Japanese legislators includes some who formerly served as Cabinet members. The ministry said the dispatch "fully demonstrates the friendship and support" from Japan for the island's new government.

Despite not having any formal diplomatic ties, Taipei and Tokyo share an amicable relationship.

In 2016, some 250 people from Japan attended incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen's inauguration ceremony. They included Keiji Furuya, current head of a cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers dedicated to strengthening Tokyo-Taipei relations, and Seishiro Eto, former vice speaker of the House of Representatives.

The number of Japanese participants was the largest among the roughly 700 foreign guests from more than 50 countries.

Lai, the incumbent vice president who heads the ruling, independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, defeated his two opposition party rivals in a closely watched election in January, securing a third consecutive four-year term for the DPP for the first time.

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20240507/p2g/00m/0in/043000c