Japan Press Weekly

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2013 May 29 - June 4 [WOMEN]

Gov’t cancels plan to circulate ‘Women’s Handbook’

The government on May 28 cancelled its plan to circulate the so-called “Women’s Handbooks” aimed at encouraging young women to have a child before they reach the age of 35.

The handbook was one of the government’s key measures to tackle Japan’s low birthrate. It contained medical information depicting the risks and disadvantages of late maternity. Young women were to receive these handbooks through their municipal offices.

However, as soon as the government announced the plan, criticism was raised by women’s organizations, citizens’ groups, and labor unions. They said, “The state should not interfere in such private matters,” “The advocates of the handbook are closing their eyes to the reality that women are having difficulties in balancing their jobs with child-rearing,” and “If the government wants to boost the nation’s birthrate, it should increase funding for the construction of public nursery schools and daycare centers.”

On the same day, the government decided to set up a research team as an alternative measure to the women’s handbook.

Related past article
> Women protest against Abe’s plan of childbirth handbook [May 9, 2013]