| Between
1990 and 1995 Japan's population rose by 1.6% to 125.5 million; this was the lowest
rise in the population since 1945. Fewer couples
were getting married and 66.9% of men between 25 and 29 and 48% of women at this
age were still single. In contrast, the number of
people over 65 increased by 3.37 million. In the 1990
census, there were more young than elderly people in all 47 prefectures. However,
in 1995, the elderly outnumbered the young in 22 prefectures, showing the fast
progress of the aging society. "The Graying of
Japan" is starting to worry people. Some questions
that are being asked include; "Will there be
enough money to pay the pensions of all these people?"; "What
will happen to Japan's powerful economy if old people outnumber the young?";
"Will we be able to compete with countries such
as South Korea and China whose populations are still growing?" People
of all ages are worried about what will happen when "The Graying of Japan"
becomes a reality in thirty or forty years' time. | 
