Japan has been grappling with its demographic statistics with a sense of urgency, particularly regarding its declining birth rate. In 2023, the country recorded its eighth consecutive year of decreasing births, with a 5.1% drop that has pushed its fertility rate to historic lows.
In response, Tokyo authorities have decided it’s time to seek solutions. Interestingly, they’re doing so with an emphasis on promoting work-life balance. Following its initial initiative focused on a four-day workweek, the city is now turning its attention to daycare facilities. Specifically, the local government is planning to offer free childcare.
Free daycare for all. If the Tokyo government’s plans are finally implemented, daycare will be more affordable for families in the city starting next year. Governor Yuriko Koike recently announced her intention to provide free childcare for all preschool-aged children.
The measure is set to take effect in September, when the second semester usually starts in Japan. The Tokyo governor is expanding a previous policy that will now benefit both first-born and subsequent children in a family.
“There is no time to spare.” Little details are known about the initiative, and authorities haven’t specified how much it’ll cost either. However, Koike emphasized the urgency of finding solutions. “Japan is facing the crisis of a declining number of children, which isn’t going away,” she said, adding, “There is no time to spare.”
Is this a new measure? Yes and no. According to The Japan Times, if the proposal is finally approved, Tokyo would become a national pioneer by extending free daycare access to all households. However, the approach itself isn’t new.
Earlier in 2023, the Tokyo metropolitan government adopted a similar measure to facilitate work-life balance and alleviate the financial burden of parenting. However, that earlier initiative was different in one key aspect. It only provided free childcare for a second child up to two years old, excluding first-born children.
Redoubling efforts. Tokyo authorities now aim to take the policy a step further and include the first child of each family. This measure is interesting because it illustrates Japan’s commitment to addressing the ongoing birth crisis that has plagued the nation for years.
Before 2023, the central government offered subsidies to cover a substantial portion of childcare costs for children between the ages of zero and two. However, these subsidies were limited to families that met specific criteria. For instance, to qualify for support for raising a second child, the first child had to be of a certain age. Family income was also considered.
A work-life balance. This isn’t the first initiative Tokyo has introduced to boost birth rates. In early December, Koike announced another plan aimed at improving demographics through work-life balance. Specifically, it introduced a four-day workweek to metropolitan government employees. The policy is set to take effect in April, allowing employees to enjoy three days off each week, which should facilitate parenting.
“We will review work styles … with flexibility, ensuring no one has to give up their career due to life events such as childbirth or child care,” she recently said at the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly’s fourth regular session. She also mentioned proposals aimed at making the working day more flexible for employees with school-aged children. “Now is the time for Tokyo to take the initiative to protect and enhance the lives, livelihoods and economy of our people during these challenging times for the nation,” she added.
Is it really that bad? Japan isn’t the only nation grappling with troubling birth rate figures. South Korea is also facing serious challenges that could threaten its future military strength. Meanwhile, China’s once-thriving demographic growth has stagnated, with two consecutive years of declining census figures and falling birth rates.
However, the crisis in Japan is particularly severe. Statistics released in June showed that just over 727,000 babies were born in the country in 2023, reflecting a 5.6% decrease from the previous year. This number marks the lowest birth rate since Japan began tracking similar statistics at the end of the 19th century.
Image | Note Thanun | JoshBerglund19
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