Expected workforce in 2030 to fall by 13.4% by 8.45 mil.

The number of employed people may drop by as much as 8.45 million by 2030 from the 2010 figure of 62.98 million, according to a labor ministry panel of experts studying the country's employment policy.

In its report unveiled Monday, the panel emphasized the need for the government to help women and young people find and secure jobs because the decline in employees is likely to hinder the nation's economic growth.

The estimate of a maximum contraction of 8.45 million was made on the basis of assumptions that economic growth will remain at zero percent and the number of working women and elderly will remain unchanged through 2030.

On the other hand, if the economy keeps growing at about 2 percent in real terms, while the proportion of working women and elderly people rises from 2010 levels, the decline in employed individuals over the 20-year period is projected to be 2.13 million.

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry's panel said it is important to help women raising children to find work, while at the same time extending support to help secure jobs for the elderly.

To create jobs, the panel said it is necessary to support domestic manufacturing businesses, a sector that is being hollowed out at an accelerating rate as operational footholds are shifted abroad to cut costs and remain internationally competitive.

The panel unveiled in 2007 the estimates on the working population by combining the numbers of employed and unemployed.

In the 2007 estimates, the panel said the number of employed people would decline by as much as about 10.7 million in 2030 from the 2006 figure of 66.57 million.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T120723003610.htm