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The Graying
ofJapan
O
ne would hardly expect
caring for the aged to be
a problem in Japan, where
respect for the elderly is
proverbial. But a
demographic trend
burdening other Western
nations is now looming for
Japan, too.
That trend-the increase
in the proportion of senior
Greater
Plant Variety
Needed
T
he stability
ot
world
agriculture may depend
upon the availability and
use
ot
a greater variety
ot
plants. Years ago,
hundreds
ot
plan! species
were cultivated as staple
toods. That diversity
declined dramatically when
high-yield hybrids were
introduced and it became
common to devote large
regions to tarming single
plan! varieties.
Wheat, rice, potatoes,
barley and maize (corn)
now account tor about 60
percent
ot
the produce
supplied by the world's 30
major tood crops. Genetic
diversity within specific
crops has also declined.
About 70 percent of
America's corn, for
example, originales from
only six inbred varieties.
The fewer varieties under
cultivation, the more
vulnerable those varieties
44
citizens in the society-has
been operating in most
Western nations since the
beginning of the Industrial
Revolution, a result of falling
birth rates and lengthening
lite expectancies. Japan,
which entered the industrial
race late, has for years
enjoyed a relatively young,
healthy population- an
advantage in the world
economy, because money
not spent on social care can
be saved and invested. But
Japan 's grandparent
population is expected to
catch up quickly now, partly
because, at 76, Japan's lite
expectancy is the world's
second highest, atter
lceland.
By the year 2025, tul ly 21
'percent
ot
the people in
Japan will be more !han
65 - compared with 19
are to insects, disease,
drought and climate change.
A narrow genetic base
contributed to the severity
ot
a 1970 U.S. corn-leat
blight that ruined about 15
percent
ot
the corn crop.
The U.S. National Seed
Storage Laboratory was set
up in Fort Collins, Colorado,
percent in the United
Kingdom and 16 percent in
the United States. One
United Nations study
indicates that by 2025
Japan's 60-plus population
will be the world's tourth
largest, compared to its
eighth-place rank now.
Add to this the fact that
fewer Japanese parents are
living with their children than
previously. Taking in one's
aged parents is less
attractive in today's
crowded, urbanized Japan
(with twice as many people
per room as the United
Kingdom) !han it was in an
earlier, more rural, open
society. Too, the eldest
son's legal mandate to
support his parents ended
when the Allies changed
inheritance laws.
For the elderly maintaining
in 1957 lo help preserve
and rebuild U.S. seed
supplies. By preserving the
genetic diversity of
importan! plants. it is hoped
that their vulnerability to
disease, insects, drought
and temperature extremes
can be reduced.
The storage laboratory
their own households, lite
can be difficult. Although
some companies provide
generous pensions, others
retire employees at 55,
virtually stranding them until
the government old-age
pension starts at 60.
The need to support
grandmothers and
grandtathers will certainly
mean less income tor the
average Japanese to spend
and save in the future.
Japanese economists tear
that increased reliance on
government tax-supported
pensions will further
discourage working people
to lay up for the future.
And - maybe most serious of
all-a heavy pension burden
could make working people
feel L!ntairly treated,
diminishing their will to
work. •
Plant diversity is a defense
against threats to
agriculture. Below, seeds
are sealed in airtight can.
now maintains nearly
100,000 varieties, many of
which are original seed
stocks. Each strain has its .
own distinct range of
tolerance and resistance to
common threats. These
varieties are used to
develop plan! strengths.
Louis Bass, director of
the seed laboratory, said,
"One preserved plan!
introduction or germ-plasm
line may save an agricultura!
industry." •
The PLAIN TRUTH