Latest news with #population decline
Japan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Governors urge central government to address Japan's shrinking population
Prefectural governors urged the central government on Wednesday to give top priority to measures against escalating population decline. The National Governors' Association called on the government to launch a national campaign involving private companies to promote comprehensive measures for addressing the shrinking population. In a set of proposals compiled on the first day of the association's two-day meeting in Aomori Prefecture, the governors called for the establishment of a government agency-level control tower to coordinate related policies. The association also called on the government to promote multicultural coexistence, regarding policy measures to deal with foreign nationals. In the proposals to deal with the population issue, the association underlined the need to create an environment in which it is easy to work and raise children, taking into account the opinions of women and young people. The governors also called on the government to promote the decentralization of companies and universities through tax reforms and other measures. The association confirmed its policy of considering marriage support measures by involving the business community. Regarding measures relating to foreign nationals, Shizuoka Gov. Yasutomo Suzuki said, "The central government only sees foreigners as a labor force, but local governments are accepting them as residents." In the proposals, the association urged the government to be accountable on improving the related environment, including education on accepting foreign nationals. Governors from across the country gather for a two-day meeting through Thursday in the city of Aomori. | Jiji Regarding this week's Japan-U.S. tariff agreement, Toyama Gov. Hachiro Nitta said: "I believe there would be a certain impact, but the central and local governments need to work together on challenges including an expansion of export destinations." Amid political uncertainty in the wake of Sunday's House of Councilors election, Yoshihiro Murai, head of the association and governor of Miyagi Prefecture, said at the beginning of the meeting, "We must unite and work together to overcome this difficult situation." Governors expressed worry over possible declines in their prefectures' tax revenues following a strong showing in the election by the opposition parties, which had called for various tax cuts. Regarding a possible consumption tax cut, Miyazaki Gov. Shunji Kono urged the central government to thoroughly consider the impact on regional economies. "We urge (the central government) to engage in comprehensive and responsible discussions over the effect (of a consumption tax cut) on regional economies, which may put a financial burden on future generations," Kono said. Seiichiro Murakami, the internal affairs minister who participated in the governors' meeting online, said the central government considers it inappropriate to cut the consumption tax. However, given that the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito lacks a majority in both chambers of parliament, governors called on both the ruling and opposition parties to engage in discussions to secure financial resources for regional economies.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Prehistoric giant living in San Francisco Bay sees sharp decline
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A prehistoric fish that can grow up to 20 feet in length and is still found in the San Francisco Bay is seeing a steep decline in population across California, according to a new report released this week from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The number of white sturgeons, the largest freshwater fish in the United States, has been monitored in California since 1954. Wildlife officials said population estimates from the 1990s and earlier reached approximately 150,000 or more that were within the legal size to harvest. A five-year survey average between 2016-2021 showed an estimated population of 30,000. Preliminary results from the new 2024 survey released Wednesday estimated that only 6,447 white sturgeons of harvest size, currently 40 to 60 inches in length, remain in the California population. White sturgeons can live for more than 100 years and spawn for the first time after reaching 14 to 19 years old. Following the first spawn, the sturgeons continue to spawn every two to five years. A number of factors have impacted white sturgeon numbers in California, including loss of habitat due to dams, degraded river flows from a highly altered water system, historical sport fishing harvests, poaching and mortality due to toxic algal blooms. A Harmful Algal Bloom event in the summer of 2022 is believed to have killed thousands of sturgeons, according to CDFW. The 2024 survey was conducted in the spring and fall between San Pablo Bay and Rio Vista. Wildlife officials said the study design was peer-reviewed and is 'the most robust and comprehensive white sturgeon population monitoring survey ever conducted in California.' In June 2024, white sturgeons were added to a list of candidate species for protection under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). During the review process, white sturgeon receive full CESA protection from harm. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
