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Japan says one in 10 residents are aged 80 or above as nation turns gray

 單字 

Demographic: Relating to the characteristics of a population, such as age, gender, and ethnicity.

Elderly: People who are old, especially those aged 65 and above.

Workforce: The total number of people who are employed or available for work in a specific area or country.

Fertility Rate: The average number of children born to a woman during her lifetime in a given population.

Pensions: Regular payments made by the government or an employer to individuals after they retire.

Healthcare: The organized provision of medical care to individuals or a community.

Population Decline: A decrease in the total number of people living in a specific area.

Labor Shortage: When there are not enough workers available to fill job positions.

Social Functions: Essential services and activities that support and maintain a society's well-being.

Child-Rearing: The process of raising and caring for children.

Economic Impact: The effect of economic changes or events on a country's financial situation.

Living Costs: The expenses associated with daily life, including housing, food, and transportation.

Social Discontent: Widespread dissatisfaction or unhappiness within a society.

Population Growth: An increase in the total number of people living in a specific area.

Encourage: To motivate or persuade someone to do something.

 練習題 

1. The ____________ of Japan is facing challenges due to its aging population.

2. In many countries, the government provides ____________ to retirees to support their living expenses.

3. A declining ____________ can lead to economic difficulties, such as a reduced labor force.

4. Japan's government has encouraged ____________ individuals to rejoin the workforce to address labor shortages.

5. ____________ is a critical aspect of ensuring the well-being of a society's members.

6. High ____________ rates can contribute to a growing population.

7. ____________ can be a significant burden for young families, affecting their decision to have more children.

8. The government's efforts to address ____________ issues include policies to support child-rearing and family life.

  聽力

　回答問題　

According to the article, what percentage of Japan's population is now aged 80 or older?
a) Over 20%
b) Approximately 15%
c) More than 10%
d) Less than 5%

What is the proportion of elderly citizens in Japan's population, as defined in the article?
a) 29.1%
b) 10%
c) 65%
d) 80%

What did Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasize as the government's "most important policy"?
a) Encouraging elderly workers
b) Solving the demographic crisis
c) Child-rearing support
d) Improving healthcare

What is the key challenge faced by Japan's workforce, as mentioned in the article?
a) A surplus of available workers
b) A lack of job opportunities
c) A declining birth rate
d) Increasing immigration

Which neighboring countries are also experiencing similar demographic challenges, according to the article?
a) India and Pakistan
b) China, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan
c) Australia and New Zealand
d) Russia and Ukraine

What was the purpose of the Japanese government's efforts to encourage seniors to re-enter the workforce?
a) To address labor shortages and boost the economy
b) To provide additional pension benefits
c) To reduce the retirement age
d) To increase the fertility rate

 Answers:
1. demographic
2. pensions
3. workforce
4. elderly
5. child-rearing
6. fertility
7. living costs
8. social

 Answers:

c) More than 10%
a) 29.1%
c) Child-rearing support
c) A declining birth rate
b) China, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan
a) To address labor shortages and boost the economy

　短文

Efforts to encourage elderly people to re-enter the workforce have seen some success in Japan. Currently, there are a record 9.12 million elderly workers in the country, and this number has been growing for 19 years in a row. Workers aged 65 and older now make up more than 13% of the national workforce, according to the internal affairs ministry. Japan's employment of elderly individuals is one of the highest among major economies.

However, despite these efforts, the demographic crisis continues to pose significant social and economic challenges. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed concern in January, stating that Japan is at risk of being unable to maintain essential social functions. He emphasized that support for child-rearing is the government's top priority and that addressing this issue cannot be delayed any further.

Other nearby countries, such as China, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, are also grappling with similar demographic challenges. They are struggling to encourage young people to have more children, especially in the face of rising living costs and societal concerns.

 文章改編自 CNN 

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/18/asia/japan-elderly-population-workforce-intl-hnk/index.html