Where goeth Japan we are all likely to follow. More or less

It is too easy to say that Japan's ageing population points the way to how Europe and the US will develop. There are huge differences between the culture and financial state of these countries. That said, you would be a fool to ignore what is happening in this hyper-old country.

The Wall Street Journal provides some good data about the way people are working longer and the implications this has. (beware the paywall)  In different ways we are seeing this in our countries.

What we do share with Japan is the lack of preparation of companies to deal with the way physiological ageing impacts older workers and hence the way you design the workplace. This is something that is predictable and something we know a lot about but repeatedly ignore.

Dick Stroud