Japan’s birth rate crisis: Why ‘have more babies’ won’t work!

Описание: Japan’s birth rate has hit a new record low — just 720,988 births in 2024, marking the ninth consecutive year of decline. The consequences? A shrinking workforce, rising social security costs and a labor crisis that could reshape the country’s future.

So what’s causing the decline? High living costs, grueling work culture and limited support for parents are just part of the problem. Despite government efforts — like Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ¥3.6 trillion childcare package — many believe deeper social and corporate changes are needed.

Can Japan turn things around before it’s too late? Some say the solution is simple: just have more babies! But as we explore in this episode of Japan Today Spotlight: the reality is far more complex.
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⏱️ Chapters:
0:00 Topic overview
0:48 What the numbers tell us
1:56 Why is the birth rate declining?
2:50 Why does it matter?
5:00 What is the government doing about it?
6:20 A lesson from South Korea?
7:37 What else can Japan do?
10:06 Outro
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Can Japan turn things around before it’s too late? Let us know in the comments below!

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