Today we take for granted that population growth is Japan is nil without giving respect to just how large the population of Japan is; 125+ million people; nearly twice the population of the UK or France. But in the 1960’s there was little reason to believe that population growth would ever end. The world had not yet seen what a demographic transition to a post-industrial society would look like.

By the mid-1960’s when Star Trek was released, the postwar population boom had continued unabated for over 20 years. This rate of population growth was recognized as unprecedented, and concerns about overpopulation became reoccurring themes in pop culture and science-fiction literature. A couple famous science fiction examples are Logan’s Run (1967) and Make Room! Make Room! (1966). Both depict a future where population growth has grown wildly out of control. In Logan’s Run, population is controlled by requiring the death of every person at age 21. In Make Room! Make Room!, the world of 1999 is depicted as grossly overpopulated by 7 billion people. However, much of the excess population is depicted in the developed world. New York City is depicted with 35 million residents while little is mentioned of the developing world. Other 1960s books concerning overpopulation took on a more alarmist tone, like Famine 1975! and The Population Bomb. Both warned of widespread global famines in the near future, and recommended countries take strict measures to control their population growth, advocating all sorts of controversial measures including widespread use of contraception, abortion, sex education, and even sterilization to prevent a global doom caused by overpopulation.

There was widespread cultural belief at the time populations around the world were growing at an uncontrollable rate, and so was Japanese influence. The first Japanese automobiles imports in the 1960s became popular. Companies like Nissan, Toyota, and Honda gained a niche market share in America by the time Star Trek was being developed, especially being popular in California. Japanese cars became fixations for youth culture, immortalized in numerous in Beach Boys songs, one of the early 60s most influential bands. But there was also an undercurrent of fears of Japanese influence. In the controversial 1963 episode of the Twilight Zone “the Encounter” future Star Trek actor George Takei becomes locked in at attic with a xenophobic, drunken veteran who complains heavily about the Japanese taking over, specifically mentioning automobiles and electronics, even after losing the war. In a xenophobic rage, he attacks Takei blaming him for the loss of his job, his wife, and his pride.

This takes us to Japan in 1966 when Star Trek is being produced. The nation of Japan is recognized by Americans as developed, technological power with growing influence in the United States. There population is soaring to 100 million people, a number unreached outside of giant nations like China, India, the USSR, and United States. It’s population density is many times greater than the United States. The writers are developing a futuristic science fiction show where the humanity has solved its pressing social problems creating a futuristic, scientific global utopia. One glaring social issue of the 1960s was a concern of future overpopulation. Solving the problem of overpopulation would be something science fiction writers would tackle. I think it’s reasonable to assume the writers developed Takei’s character under the assumption that Japan, like other developed nations became heavily overpopulated in the near future but arrested its growth through the population control out of necessity for human progress.