There have been shocking reports about the continuously decreasing birth rates in Japan. The report found that the number of babies born in Japan this year is even lower than last year’s record low.
There have been shocking reports about the continuously decreasing birth rates in Japan. The report found that the number of babies born in Japan this year is even lower than last year’s record low. A government spokesman described it as a ‘serious situation’. The report also exposed the claims of the Japanese government that it is taking steps to encourage people to marry and have children.
In Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno has promised sweeping measures to encourage more marriages and births. According to a report published in Japan’s prestigious newspaper Asahi Shim bun, he said that a total of 599,636 children were born in January – September, down 4.9% from the previous year’s figure.
He predicted that the number of children born in 2022 could be even lower than last year’s record low of 811,000.
Why Is The Birth Rate Decreasing
A government-appointed panel submitted a report to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last week detailing the factors eroding Japan’s national strength, citing low birth rates and a declining population. It is also important to know here that Japan is the third largest economy in the world after the US and China, but due to the high cost of living and slow wage growth, people are increasingly less inclined to marry and have children. Experts believe that the government is lagging in making children, women, and minorities more inclusive among the people Went.
Many young Japanese hesitate to marry or start families because of low-paying jobs. On the other hand, apart from the working status of both the parents, long-distance travel and corporate culture are also factors.
So far, government efforts to encourage people to have more children have had limited impact, despite paying subsidies for pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare. Matsuno says, “The pace is even slower than last year, I agree that this is a serious situation.” Birth rate declining since 1973 the birth rate in Japan has been declining steadily since 1973. It is estimated to be limited to 740,000 by the year 2040. Japan’s population of more than 125 million has been declining for 14 years and is projected to drop to 86.7 million by 2060. Experts believe that the decreasing population of youth can harm the country’s economy and national security.
