Ass Loon asks Japan to learn from him on how to tackle population issue

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An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said Singapore can learn from Japan on how to manage the ageing issue.

Mr Lee said the ageing issue is more advanced in Japan, and they have a lot of experience making arrangements for the old people.

"Physical arrangements, appliances for homes, arrangements for nursing, taking care, keeping in touch with old folks who are living on their own, so that if something happens you can go and give them help. These are areas which we can learn a lot from," said Mr Lee.

However, when it comes to population issues, perhaps Japan can take a leaf from Singapore's experience.

"I think that in terms of population overall, we have been grappling with the issues of immigration, of foreign workers and there are difficult issues there.

Japan has taken the view that that is too difficult and has been very, very tight on immigration, even on foreign workers. But if you are at some point able to consider that as a politically feasible option, then maybe our experience may be interesting for you to look at," said Mr Lee.

These are among the wide ranging issues that Mr Lee spoke of during an interview with Nikkei Inc last Wednesday (May 14).

Other issues that the Prime Minister touched on include ASEAN growth, progress in the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks and Japan's economy.
The interview was done ahead of Mr Lee's working visit to Tokyo from 21-23 May.

He will be attending the International Conference on "The Future of Asia" organised by Nikkei Inc and the Japan Centre for Economic Research.
He will also deliver the keynote address on "Rising Asia - Messages for the Next 20 Years" to mark the 20th anniversary of the Nikkei International Conference.




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