Can Japan survive without immigrants? edition.cnn.com

Japan is considered a "super-aged" nation, where more than 20% of the population is over 65 and the birth rate has reached record lows.

By 2060, the country's population is expected to plummet by more than 40 million from 2010, to 86.74 million people, according to a projection by the Japanese Health Ministry. With fewer workers paying taxes to support a growing silver population in need of pensions and healthcare services, Japan's economy is facing an unprecedented challenge.

This year, labor shortages were the highest they'd been in 40 years, and analysts predict rising shortages in the years ahead.