Chapter 4 Overcoming the Declining Birthrate with Basic Income and a Fair Tax System 4.5 What is the Vision of a 'New Japanese Society' Based on BI?

4.5 What is the Vision of a 'New Japanese Society' Based on BI?

When people hear 'measures to combat the declining birthrate,' many think of 'ways to increase the population.'
However, the trend of a declining birthrate may be unstoppable.
If so, shouldn't we view that reality positively and think about 'what kind of society to build, assuming the population will decrease'?

If Basic Income (BI) takes root in society, our values and lifestyles will change significantly.
In a 'society where a stable income is guaranteed,' what kind of lives will people choose?
In this chapter, we will explore the vision of a 'new Japanese society' based on BI.

1. Toward a Society with Broader Life Choices

With the introduction of BI, many people will be freed from the state of 'working for money.'

• Increased freedom to choose the work you love: There will be no need to continue doing jobs you dislike just to make a living.

• Easier to take on new challenges: Entrepreneurship, freelance work, and artistic activities will become more active.

• A lifestyle not bound by time becomes possible: Instead of a full-time 5-day work week, you can work at your own pace.

In Japanese society until now, the value that 'working as a regular employee is stable' has been deeply rooted.
However, in a society with BI, job options will diversify, and 'freedom of lifestyle' will be secured.

2. A Society Where the Form of Child-rearing Changes

'Child-rearing becoming an economic burden' has been a major factor in the declining birthrate.

However, with the provision of BI, the hurdles to having children will be lowered.

• Reduced need for dual-income households: Couples will have the option for one partner to focus on the home.

• Ability to create a system that supports child-rearing across the entire community: A culture where not just parents, but society as a whole raises children will be revived.

• Broader educational choices: A society where diverse ways of learning can be chosen, beyond just school education.

As the birthrate declines, perhaps we need to shift to a society where 'everyone raises the few children we have.'

3. Regional Revitalization and the Formation of New Economic Zones

In a society with BI, the reasons to continue living in urban areas will diminish.

• More people will migrate to rural areas: There will be no need to live in cities for work.

• Regional economies will be revitalized: Ways of working that leverage the unique characteristics of each region will spread.

• Small-scale economic zones are established: A mechanism is created where money circulates within the region.

While 'concentration in Tokyo' is currently a problem in Japan, introducing BI could disperse people to regional areas and realize a more sustainable society.

4. Changing values of labor

By being freed from the pressure of 'working to survive,' people's ways of working will also change.

• Exploitative companies are weeded out: Low-wage, harsh working environments will no longer be sustainable.

• Social contribution activities such as nursing care and volunteering increase: Financial leeway is created, and more people will act for the sake of others.

• The concept of retirement age disappears: With BI, people can continue to work comfortably even as they get older.

Labor has the potential to change from a 'duty for survival' to an 'activity for society and oneself.'

5. From competition to coexistence: A new way of society

Japanese society until now has been built on the premise of 'competition.'

• Academic competition: One must go to a good university.

• Career competition: One must get promoted.

• Income competition: One must earn more than others.

However, by introducing BI, we can shift from a 'society of winners and losers' to a 'society of coexistence.'

• A sense of security that allows one to live without comparing oneself to others

• Revitalization of a culture of supporting each other throughout society

• A shift in values that emphasizes happiness

BI is not just a 'system for distributing money.'
It is a **'tool for creating a new way of society.'**

As the birthrate declines, we must think not about 'increasing the population,' but about 'how to live while it decreases.'

Basic income might be the answer to that.
Isn't it time we sought out a new way of society, without being bound by the values of the past?

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