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The Japan rural areas (small towns) dying is a big problem, because it's a loss of community and culture each time they die, there will be nobody to continue the traditions. It's very sad and unfortunate. But also a very difficult issue to fix.

３年後同じ質問を同じ人達にしてみてほしいな

The boy in the striped tanktop is literally me. I got a lot of bad grades in highschool and college and now i turned it alp around and have a perfect gpa at a great university for my major. I relate to him the most with how he feels about the rising of living costs and static treatment of the emerging working class. Thank you 🙏🏼🙇‍♂️

Takashi, with all due respect this video is the one I liked the most of all your videos. I´ve listened different opinions of well studied students, I love them. No airheads. Thanks a lot and keep the good work.

After living in Japan for some years....I noticed something peculiar, people usually don't talk about politics. Young people do not care about voting. Young people do not know who the candidates are or who would better represent their values and expectations. What are the consequences of this lack of interest? The result is that conservative parties continue being elected forever and ever. When I saw those people talking in your video, I thought....all those young people would be good politicians. Now talking more broadly...........I believe that in all countries of the world, we should elect people that are really worried about people, not just allowing rich companies to become richer. Takashi, this was your best video. I see your videos very often.

Please do more interview of this type of people, Takashii!!! I seriously feel super refreshed & stimulated after listening to their knowledge!!

One of the best interviews out there. I've seen some where random people are interviewed and have basically no opinion on anything. Definitely Toudai students are sharp and understand the subject from many perspectives, and have interesting opinions

Just as the lady from Okayama said, I moved to a small island called Shodoshima 4 month's ago, one of my best decisions ever since I moved here, beautiful scenery, absolutely best community. Highly recommend for everyone!

“My grades were really low in high school, so people were surprised I passed the exam 😁” lmao

It's nice to see young people in Japan encouraging foreigners to visit and make friends with Japanese people. I do hope that older generations would give the dame encouragement, if asked.

This has to be the best interview of yours that I have seen on your channel. And they are all absolutely right being optimistic for the future . These are the kids we need for a better future.

I’m a Japanese who was born and raised in the U.S. I just visited your country last month and my humble opinion is that there is NO reason to be pessimistic about the future of Japan. Just like us in America, there are certain segments struggling, but the core of the country is made up of good people. Like these students! The future is in good hands!!🙌

I can understand Japan's concern with immigrants and safety. I can't blame them tbh. Immigrants need to be respectful and follow the rules of Japan. Also there is the language barrier. Obviously if you want to go to Japan you have to speak the language to be able to communicate....Later

The guy in the stripped vest is such a inspiration as for a person aspiring to continue studies in japan Thanks for the great video!

Hello, Takashi! I would like to see a video about you interviewing Japenese locals on the countryside about what they think of locals from the big Japanese cities, and vice versa. That would be such an interesting video showing what Japanese citizens from rural towns and big cities think of each other. 😊😊😊😊

I really enjoyed hearing all the thoughts of the young people you interviewed. It makes me happy to know they have a positive outlook on the future of the country. Their concerns were valid, and their ideas were sensible ones.

I want to give every single person interviewed a big hug or thumbs up. So incredibly kind and well informed. Thank you for interviewing them and letting them share their enlightening perspectives on these various topics!

It's great to hear high level proper Japanese grammar responses from these students ! There is lots of casual and keigo mixed in their comments. Please more of this!

Possibly the most interesting interview so far, for me! Well done!

0:57 The guy in the blue sports jacket is sooo my type 🥰

Thanks a lot Takashi! I really love that video, so interesting and made by young smart and nice people💙

I love these interviews. I've only just recently started learning Japanese language and learning about etiquette. It's great being able to hear these viewpoints! I plan on visiting one day but I want to be as respectful of the culture and customs as possible when I do. Thank you for these videos, they are great for learning!

This was such a wholesome video ty !

I truly agree with so many aspects of this interview and I am glad we got a variety of people to share their opinions. I am Canadian and I've always had a huge interest in Japan (including its culture, economy, politics etc.) and I see somethings like focusing a lot on Tokyo when it comes to the economy which reminds me of how S. Korea is now struggling to reverse their focus on having everything in Seoul. Yes when I visited Japan I spent a lot of time in Tokyo but I also balanced it out by going to super rural areas but also the smaller cities. Canada struggles in a way with that but its not as bad. Toronto is where our hub for businesses were but that's been slowly spreading out due to the cost of living. Yes lots of companies are still there but the population has spread out more. People moved from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to places like Kitchener-Waterloo (KW) and have brought the wealth of selling their GTA homes to their KW homes and economy. Then those in KW are moving to the smaller towns and cities. So it's possible - in my opinion. Just need to act now before everything becomes too centralized in one spot. But I also realize this is just one small example. Note: Before other Canadians start attacking me - yes Toronto is still super populated and crowded and has issues but its true that people have been leaving and spreading out over the last 6-8 years (pandemic really fueled it - due to remote working). I think if Japan acts now, they can avoid more displacement and rural communities shutting down (like their schools, grocery stores, and even community/city halls). I feel very strongly with the one lady who wants to bring/connect Japan to the whole world and show the world how amazing Japan is. I want to do that too. If I could restart my education I would have focused on international business. But now I am just hoping to work for an international company that can one day place me in the Asia division and I can work to bring both Western countries and Asian countries (specifically Japan) together. Maybe if that lady sees this comment we can connect via LinkedIn or something and stay in touch and see what we can do in our respective countries to help bridge the gap. Japan has a HUGE potential and I just wish that the people in power (business power and political power) can realize this and fix the mistakes they are currently making now before it gets to bad. See what other countries have done where things got worse and where it got better so Japan does spiral and become a struggling country. I will always cheer for and love Japan but I know it can do better. Amazing video Takashii

It is probably the most interesting video I saw about Japan during the last year. Well done ! I missed a channel with english subtitles which deals more with these issues, with people point of view. I hope you will also get the point of view of many different persons of the japanese society. Thank you very much Takashii !

That was a very interesting watch to see young people expressing these insightful and compelling views on Japan! Loved hearing from them on these topics

Very good video! Very informative. I learned some things and I was inspired to continue learning Japanese.

TBH I'm quite happy to know that, from the interviews of this video at least, Japanese youth seems to be quite grounded and even optimistic of Japan's future. I'm brazillian, and I've been accompanying japanese news outlets, some more focused around the brazillian-japanese side, and from what I've gathered, Japan's quite far from any kind of apocalypse. I'm happy to see I'm not alone in seing that Japan has a future. Every country has its problems and issues. Some more than others. But that doesn't mean that it's useless to try and work for a better country. I hope to visit Japan soon. Would love to do my masters there, but for now, just a visitation would be cool.

More please. Thoughtful young people who are articulate is a joy to watch.

Great interviews! Such an intelligent and articulate young people!

Very interesting and informative. Loved this episode.

More interviews with smart people, they always give the realest answers 🤓

Japan would do well to give serious thought to the recent anti-immigration reactions coming from European countries that were leaders in immigration policy. Isn't the situation in Sweden, Germany, and Paris a disaster for the original citizens? What was impossible even in Europe, where society is based on the assumption that people are evil, is in no way likely to work in Japan, where society is based on the assumption that people are good. It is beginning to become clear in areas from which immigrants are flowing that Japan, where foreigners are given welfare benefits and expensive medical care can be received at reasonable prices through health insurance, is a more attractive place for immigrants than Europe. This is clear from the comments on this video. 移民政策で先行していた欧州各国から、最近反移民へのリアクションが出てきていることを日本はちゃんと考えた方が良い。スウーデンやドイツ、パリの状況は、元からの市民にとって惨状ではないのか？　性悪説で社会が成り立っている欧州でさえ無理だったものが、性善説で社会が成り立っている日本でうまくいくはずがない。外国人にも生活保護をあたえる、健康保険で高額医療がリーズナブルに受けられるといった日本の方が、欧州より移民にとって旨味があることが、移民の流出地域に知れ始めている。この動画へのコメントをみても明らかだ。

Thank you Takashi for the positive reviews.

Awesome video and great interviews.

I am learning Japanese, and ALL of these people spoke at double speed, I swear! I even had to slow it to .75% when that young man who was with his uni friend was talking (the shorter of the two) he spoke SO fast. I had no chance of actually following along (even though I rely on subtitles 95%)

That ending about shyness is so cute, it’s very endearing!

Seeing Japanese young people have so many clear in-depth insights of the country, I'm very optimistic about Japan's future! Many countries around the world that allegedly do better in the economy than Japan does are not necessarily a better place to live! From a long-time resident alien in the US

Thank you! Very informative

Great to listen to students !

Thank Takashi for this excellent interview. It is really refreshing to hear the views, aspirations of the younger generation, their positivity including insightful ideas how to bridge cultural differences for foreigners. While media paints a negative outlook (eg. weakening yen, low birth rates, anti-foreign tourist sentiment due to some bad apples, tourist behaving badly), I am so encouraged and intrigued by the positive,thoughtful feedback by all the interviewees. Makes me want to contribute to partner in re-vitalizing Japan. Hopefully these videos goes to the Japanese policy makers to revisit policymaking, constructively think how to bridge and attract foreigners to contribute to the growth of Japan. It would be so beautiful to see Japan enters a “new” age of promise and vitality, the powerhouse it once was before the “lost decades” era. 日本、頑張ってください。　シンガポールのカルヴィンです。

this is one of your best videos, interview more university students about different topics pls!

As a Japanese, I am amazed how thoughtful they are about the country. The way they talk is logical and smart, got me motivated to study more.

Thank you for the interesting video Takashi! In Canada we have been having similar discussions about our country's future. A lot of the discourse from your interviewees remind me of things I've heard here. Cheers 👍

The economics guys are extremely talented! Also listening to the engineering student girl - I think I'm in love hahaha

I think it's a good thing immigration is limited in Japan and it should stay that way. Just try to change things to encourage people to have more kids and be in relationships. Japanese identity and culture is wonderful and should be preserved. Though who knows what the Japan of future generations will be like. If I was Japan, I'd be more worried about international politics with countries like Russia, NK and China. Tbh, japanese people are so hard working, I don't think they have so much to worry about concerning the prosperity of their country in the future. Japan should keep profiting from exporting their culture and perhaps learn from Korea on how to improved on that aspect. And keep working on innovation.

I love your videos. Great work! ❤

Takashi, this is really great interview~

I am chinese. I was an ordinary one in an ordinary school (not in Japan) studying automotive engineering. I hold a different view on population shrinking. That is, in the long term it is likely to not be a bad thing, especially for individuals. I hear that many people say population has a strong relation with a good economy, but maybe because I was told that population is not a good thing in china, I am not for a great population. In my view, a great population in an area is equal to its density and fierce competition. Who will benefit from it? business or GDP? Does it really make a better life for most people? It really makes sense that many people explain the potential sharp decrease in populations of many asia areas creates issue, but how about a slow decrease? I think it is good for a sustainable environment for people. I think the trouble is how people feel the turning point and how fast it drops or even soars. Let us see if it is good for the economy or not when there is a sharp increase in population. I remember closely canada is faced with an unemployment issue due to a sharp increase in population which is to 40000000, immigrants contribute most. By the way, I would like to say it may be good that immigration policy does not turn fast. At times, “slow” is “efficient” when talking about mechanical processes. I want to say another thing. Japan might have learnt chinese culture in the past. I think in terms of food, chinese culture is not bad. But how people get with people is bad. Please keep away from it. In china morality is used to judge other people, not self. Everyone is like a teacher, looking at others' behaviours and repeating traditional rules. Therefore, it is better to not say different opinions. But people still need opinions, so when a group of people sit down, the first thing they do is to rank and decide who is boss, then listen to him. That leads to another culture that is comparison. People are always afraid to be looked down upon by other people and try to beat down others on anything. Anything can be a comparison or a competition. I am tired of it and cannot breathe when people compare me and try to be superior to me over everything that can be ranked, where there are no benefits after that. Many chinese say it is because of chinese government. No, it is not. This is one more culture that they always say it is others wrong. It is the chinese culture that picked the chinese government. I can feel it in a basic unit of chinese society. It is everywhere. Do not believe that in ancient time the society was good. Please do research yourself. Chinese always say a thing in a way that is beneficial. even do not believe those people on your side. they just stand next to you because of need. That is an additional culture.

You should interview international students from Todai as well!

Great video ! Thanks for sharing Takashi, I enjoyed listening what college students thought about all the things that you asked them. Very insightful questions and answers. Beautiful scenery too :)

i loveeeeeed this video!

Loved the ending of this vid! Been in Tokyo for just over a month now, I've made a handful of Japanese friends and I've noticed that when approached, more times than not, they are just so happy to speak with me! (3 Years of on/off Japanese study, still very broken but enough to make friends!)

Well done picking some clearly very intelligent youth for this interview, their views were quite well put together and painted a good picture of their generation's perspective.

Excellent video... very, very interesting and wonderful to hear from the college students.

Very good video. Thanks 🙏

Very interesting video, thank you!

With brilliant and hardworking students like this, Japan will find ways to deal with its issues.

Another great video as usual! Can’t wait to move to Japan and spend the rest of my life there!

As always, excellent video.

Thank you! This video motivates me to learn Japanese more!!!

@TAKASHiifromJapan A good video idea is to have Both Japanese and Foreigners as you questions that they normally couldn't ask an average Japanese person. That would be fun!

I really resonate with some of the things the interviewees mentioned, and found hope in hearing these voices. Thank you for the video!!

A great group of interviewees with refreshing thoughts and opinions. Japan's future is in good hands!

Every country has its positives and negatives but I hope that Japan will somehow overcome these problems despite the predications that have been made in negative way. I still love Japan and wish to live there for a long time I am not saying that Tokyo and Osaka are bad as for myself I would love to explore those cities one day I personally agree with that girl who recommended living in the local regions as I would also love to live in those areas and I feel like I would definitely learn properly about Japan and its culture I want to explore all of its cities I will definitely come to Japan in nearer future Arigato Takashi san Keep on making these videos brother

Turkiye has been hosting over 13,000,000 Syrians since 2011, and we desperately miss the former ambiance of our country. Listen to your elders and respect them. Migration comes with huge and complex issues, impacting the societal fabric permanently. Keep Japan happy and secure !! ❤

Future is bright due to these scholars! Sounds like a mix of encouraging child bearing and properly accepting/ educating outside help to assimilate

Thanks for another insightful interview video! I really like watching these to practice my Japanese listening comprehension, since the dialog is interesting, natural, and articulate. I wonder if you would consider adding Japanese subtitles as an option for these videos to assist with language learning? The automatic KZfaq subtitles often have a lot of errors.

The one lady looks striking. What a natural beauty❤

really great content in this video :)

Great video

I can hear a pro-immigration attitude in many of the statements. One would like to call out to the Japanese from Europe: keep up, don't make the same mistakes we did. It starts with small steps that are barely visible at first or are even perceived as interesting and enriching. But it won't stop there. Preserve your peculiarities and your great culture.

I love this sort of content. University student's thoughts about the future. Keep it up

This one was easily one of your most interesting videos/interviews. Well done. Todai students really show just what's so special about them, and that some of the most important people in Japan's future might come from them. Would love for you to keep interviewing them on other topics (if the guards don't kick you out ^^).

really interesting!

Thank you very much Takashi san! The interviews are very insightful for foreign people to learn more about what Japanese people think. Cheers

Thank you for the video. I'm learning about Japan like customs, politics, economy etc. Japan is a great country so I think it's going to work out. Have a great day

Congratulations for 2M 🎉 I might be late to wish this.

This interview felt sooo great! And I think the best solution to the issue is reflected implicitly in your video, insightful, determined, conscious young people are (in my opinion) the biggest solution to the issues Japan is facing, these are very intelligent people that want a better Japan and that, through studies, can definitely be a change for the better. I know that the issues are difficult, but I think, contrary to many other countries, Japan has what it takes to face and overcome the issues... You just need to act on it

Wow! This was great for Japan in my opinion. The future for Japan is bright from the answers of these students. They seem very optimistic and have very good outlook and problem solving answers for Japan. I think the people of Japan would learn a lot by listening to these students and implement these ideas. This was a very good video Takashi! The future is bright for Japan with young people like these you interviewed. I hope the rest of Japan looks to these type of people and has a good outlook as well!

Great insight into the thoughts of a variety of students. To them I would say Japan is not in decline. The population is declining and there are economic challenges - some associated with the population issue, but that's not the same as the country being in decline. The most obvious concern regarding population is continuity of Japanese society. Immigration is not going to solve that. Young Japanese people must find a way to connect with each other and have families. If only at the replacement rate. There's really no need to "grow" the population. There's a mistaken belief that economic growth (or strength) requires population growth. Japan has a higher GDP per capita than both India and China - nations with large populations, because the Japanese economy is more productive. Large immigration isn't necessary to fix the labor market. This brings us to "diversity." That word was used enough for me to provide caution that "diversity" in skin color should not be a goal for Japan if you want to maintain Japanese culture. It's one thing to accept the natural course of marriages of people from different races, and those people maintaining Japanese culture, but bringing in people who have no intention of assimilating into Japanese society would be incredibly destructive to Japanese culture (or any culture). Finally...relating to population...Men - give your wife or girlfriend oral sex until they orgasm. Up to 80% of women fake orgasm during sex because men don't understand (or refuse to accept) that most women (probably also about 80%) require clitoral stimulation to have an orgasm. Your hand can work, but cunnilingus is what works best. You're (both men and women) going to have to get over the shyness factor for sure, but after that, well, you might end up with over population :-) Didn't expect this post to end like that did you?

great video

Thanks!

I don’t understand their words, But this is the most perfect spokenJapanese I have ever listened to in my entire life. Every single syllable perfectly expressed.

1:39 Thisss 13 hours study isn't my cup of tea eventhough I'm a medical student 😂

🎉Thank you for the interesting video.🎉

The many well articulated ideas from these future leaders of Japan bode well for the future of Japan. More of these style interview please.

Japan is one beautiful country & next year hope to finally visit there! ❤

I noticed a lot of people talking about policies that need to change in Japan, so I'd love for you to interview people (especially women) to ask them what policies need to change. It would be nice to get a cross section of ages. The only reason I mention women (and I'm a woman) is because I think one of the big policy issues is childcare.

I, who usually a man a Canadian and living in Canada, am concern for Japan. I always feel like my heart is stabbed whenever I hear the big issues taking fold and how much in progress. I truly feel bad for the country. But seeing the young people on this video and hearing their personal opinions, and each sharing their hopeful perceptives, brings a healing sensation on my chest, and realized they have a point. I do hope that, someday, the young people’s words will reach out and creates a brighter future.

What a great video. It really highlights the deeper thoughts the younger generations have. More than a decade ago we hosted a Japanese exchange college student (I am in the US). We did a get-together with him and all the other exchange students. Somehow we touched on the topic of how they were able to get into the program. Out of nowhere one of them just said, "I have a secret to tell you guys. I haven't told anyone." Everyone quietly waited as he said "I actually have a job and paid on my own to come here." Then, an instant gasp from everyone else. Then tons of comforting words poured out and he started crying. As an American who started working at 16, I was SO confused. Then he went on to say how he was raised by a single mom, how he secretly worked further away to save up money to support himself and his mother. Apparently, everyone else's trip was paid by their parents. My takeaway as they explained the situation to me was that it was embarrassing and almost taboo that he had to work. In the US obviously it's completely opposite. I certainly hope this type of sentiment has improved since then in Japan.

I often here this case about working in Japan...Employees in Japan cannot just go home after "5.00pm" It would make them appear not loyal to the company. So what do they do? They "work" until 9-10PM. And then if the Supervisor or Manager or the Boss asks you to have dinner or a drink after office hours, you just cannot say no. You have to go along or you will end up an outcast in your work group with very little chance of promotion..... Is this true?? Or even if this is not entirely true, How common is this kind of work situation in Japan???? Somebody please tell us.

0:00 🌍 Concerns about Japan's current state, including high suicide rates and immigration, are discussed. 0:26 🎓 Several university students from the University of Tokyo introduce themselves and their fields of study. 1:18 📚 Students discuss their rigorous study schedules to get into the University of Tokyo, often studying for 10-13 hours a day. 2:01 🎒 Being a student at the University of Tokyo is met with surprise and admiration from others, providing a sense of prestige and recognition. 2:24 🇯🇵 Students express mixed views on Japan's future, acknowledging both the country's strengths and the need for policy improvements, particularly in addressing the aging population. 2:53 💼 There is a concern that current policies favor the elderly, potentially creating a challenging environment for the younger generation. 3:35 💡 Students suggest that with proper policies, Japan can improve its situation, especially by addressing demographic challenges and utilizing immigration effectively. 4:07 🌆 Students highlight the economic disparity between Tokyo and rural areas, stressing the need for more balanced development across the country. 4:35 🚼 The aging population and declining birth rates are seen as significant issues, with calls for more support for young families and children. 5:40 🔄 There is a growing recognition of the need for immigration to counteract labor shortages and stimulate economic growth, despite some resistance from the population. 6:05 🏢 Education and effective integration policies are viewed as essential for successfully incorporating immigrants into Japanese society. 8:00 🌐 Some students express a desire to work abroad due to economic reasons and the appeal of different cultural experiences. 8:43 🇯🇵 Despite challenges, there's a strong sentiment among some students to stay in Japan and contribute to its improvement. 11:01 🏝 Japan's island geography is seen as a factor in its unique societal dynamics and information flow, contributing to regional disparities and cultural insularity.

Great job. I visit Japan a lot as I live in Thailand. I have learned a lot from your channel!

The girl from Okayama Prefecture insights are invaluable! I would love for you to have a follow up interview with her on living and settling in rural Japan ❤🙏🏼

They are so naive about immigration 😲

Wow they seemed really bright and energetic and sort of joyful. I was engaged and impressed. I’m sure they are Interesting and positive people to be around

Hearing people like these students really gives me a lot of confidence in Japan's ability to openly have these difficult types of conversations moving forward where they may have been more likely to avoid them previously. These students are extremely aware of their own culture as it relates to the rest of the world, and seem very keen on addressing the downsides that have impeded Japan from advancing as a society, culturally and economically. Really lovely to hear these well articulated thoughts from such great people. Much much love to the Japanese people ❤🇯🇵🇯🇵

Enjoyed this video very much. I recently visited Japan and found the Japanese people not shy but very, very friendly. I had a great time in your country.