(英会話リスニングスクリプト)
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.
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