A Shortage and Split-Toed Boots

Near our apartment on Platinum Street a lot of demolition and new construction is underway.  Every day I walk back and forth in front of guarded sites where swinging cranes rip apart multistory structures.    At the nearest site workers in blue parkas silently guard a temporary, white vinyl wall behind which an entire building is collapsing.  The men look considerably beyond middle age.  They extend their arms to protect pedestrians and wave trucks through.   I am always struck by their very worn, tired faces; these are not men in the strength of their youth!  They have been placed on the sidewalk as the last outpost of their careers.   

After making eye contact, I look immediately at their feet hoping to see a pair of Japanese workers' boots called a "Jika-Tabi" (jee' kah tah bee).  (They are one of the idiosyncrasies I have heard about but yet to see.)    Since the early 20th Century, construction workers and artisans have worn split-toed, calf-length, cotton boots with a rubber roles.  These boots have several advantages.  They are breathable, flexible, grippy, and protective when walking on ground debris.   Today some have reinforced toes. The men on the sidewalk do not wear this foot gear but rather an insulated boot with protection from the cold.  Perhaps that is one of the perks of seniority and consolation for doing pedestrian (literally) work.

Japanese news reports a critical shortage of construction laborers.  Building contracts are way up and supply of laborers is way down.  With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics planning underway, the situation looks dire.  It takes 10 years to become a skilled artisan.  I doubt that Japan's education system, with its emphasize on math and science, is preparing a pipeline of future constructions workers.  With so many laborers nearing the mandatory retirement age and not enough youth to fill the jobs, Japan has a critical problem.   And I'm not sure if sending  government child-subsidy checks to each couple that chooses to have kids is enough to solve the dilemma for the long term.  

Like most developed nations, Japan has many divisions: conservative-liberal, urban-rural, young-old, rich-poor, private-public.  It probably has a split opinion over immigration as well.   Honestly, I do not see how government leaders can alleviate this acute problem unless the country develops a breathable, flexible immigration policy. I do not believe that such a plan is incompatible with the economic and social interests of this great nation.  But then again,  I come from a land of immigrants.