Demographics!

This is coolbert:

Demographics = destiny?

Demographics Japan!

From WIZARD through Harry at Sharkhunters:

"Japan's military [JSDF] plans to raise the maximum age for new recruits in a bid to cope with a shrinking pool of potential soldiers due to the country's low birth rate and fast-aging population. The maximum age for enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officer applicants will be raised to 32 from 26 from Oct 1 to secure 'a stable supply of Self-Defense Forces personnel amid a declining pool of recruits due to the recently declining birth rate, the defense ministry said."

"The number of Japanese people aged between 18 and 26 years old - the current age band for recruits - is forecast to fall below eight million by 2046 from 11 million this year and a peak of 17 million in 1994."

Declining birth rate with aging population a world-wide phenomenon in what is normally referred to as the Western World or Industrialized societies.

Just from a practicality standpoint it would seem that a man at age thirty-two without any prior military experience IS JUST TOO OLD TO BEGIN WITH!

NOT ENOUGH YOUNG PERSONS AROUND TO FILL "SLOTS" WITHIN THE MILITARY. MAN-POWER CONSTRAINTS CAUSING A "SHORTAGE" OF PERSONNEL WORRISOME TO MILITARY PLANNERS!

Consider also not only enough persons merely bodies but enough CAPABLE persons. Consider additionally that under current guidelines about 3/4 of young American men of military age UNFIT for military service!! Lots of consider!

Japan also can be seen as an acute example of a problem again being a world-wide phenomenon!

coolbert.