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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Birthrate in Japan falls to record low

A Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry report released on May 1 shows that Japan's birthrate fell in 2005 to 1.25, 0.04 points down from the previous year, breaking the previous record for five consecutive years.

In order to stabilize the population in the long term, the fertility rate (the average number of children a woman gives birth to in her life) is required to be 2.07.

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo at a press conference on the same day expressed serious concern about the falling birth rate.

Citing policeies of European countries that succeeded in raising their birth rates, Shii stressed that the Japanese government should take measures to seriously tackle the low fertility rate issue.

The JCP has argued that the prolonged trend of falling birthrates is caused by an increase in unstable employment, long working hours, and the heavier economic burdens associated with birthing, child rearing, and education.

The neo-liberal economic policies of the Koizumi Cabinet have increased economic disparities and poverty, discarded welfare services, and imposed heavier taxes. These policies only increase burdens on families with small children.

The low birthrate reflects the difficulties of living in today's Japan. The need now is for policies that drastically change the present social structure, breaking away from the Koizumi's "structural reform" policy.
- Akahata June 2, 2006