On government plan to stop falls in birthrates -- Akahata editorial, October 16 (excerpts)

The government has announced a set of measures against lowering of the nation's birthrates. Called "Plus One," the plan calls for a review of work style with a view to increased participation by men in child rearing.

The "Plus One" places emphasis on reductions in overtime work during the child-raising period, and sets forth putting legal restrictions on overtime work, not only for female but also for male workers.

We need to break down some barriers.

As a result of corporate restructuring that involves personnel reductions, unpaid overtime work and longer working hours are prevalent in many workplaces. In 2001, the actual use of paid holidays for the first time fell below 50 percent.

To make work compatible with family life, elimination of unpaid overtime work and other illegal labor practices is necessary along with improvement in the child-care leave system.

The world trend shows that more women's equality in the workplace leads to higher birthrates. In Japan, however, the average salary for full-time female workers is only about 60 percent of that of male workers. For female part-time workers, the average wage is only half of full-time women workers. Failure to refer to discrimination against women, or the wage gap, the government's "Plus One" is defective in relation to the need to boost the nation's birthrates.

What the Japanese government is doing is tantamount to encouraging bankruptcies and corporate restructuring without taking the necessary steps to deal with the high unemployment rate. Under such circumstances, the basis for births and child rearing is crumbling. If the government is to take measures to increase birthrates, the government must end policies that shift hardships onto the people and establish policies for protecting them. (end)