The age factor in Japan's elections - 28 Aug 09

Japan's population is ageing at an alarming rate. The country has the highest proportion of elderly in the world. Twenty-two per cent of its people are 65 or older.

It also has the second lowest birthrate in the world after Hong Kong. That could explain why the DPJ's child allowance of $270 a month is such a popular platform.


Fifty one percent of people in their 20s say they will hit the polls. That's up from 46 per cent four years ago.
But the figure is low compared to the 84 per cent of people in their sixties who plan to vote.


Overall turnout is expected at 74 per cent.

Al Jazeera's Steve Chao reports from Nara, Japan on how the age factor is affecting this year's election.