The Demographic Crisis: Japan’s Battle to Boost Fertility Rates
Tokyo –
In 1989, Japan stood as an economic powerhouse on the global stage. However, behind the façade of success lay a deep-rooted problem – the country’s fertility rate had plummeted to a record low of 1.57 children per woman. This grim reality prompted the government to take action to prevent a looming crisis.
To combat the decreasing birth rates, Japan implemented a series of policies in the 1990s aimed at encouraging couples to have more children. These initiatives included mandatory child care leave for employees, subsidized day care slots, promoting gender equality in household responsibilities, and providing financial incentives for having children.
The government’s efforts focused on addressing the social and economic consequences of a shrinking population, such as a strained social security system, a lack of young workers, and declining societal vitality. By offering monetary rewards for having children and promoting a more family-friendly work culture, Japan hoped to reverse the declining birth rates and secure its future.