Japan Press Weekly

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2014 May 7 - 13 [WELFARE]

Gov’t should create childrearing-friendly environment, not set national birthrate target

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

Japan is struggling to counter its shrinking population. In 2012, the number of births was a record low of 1,037,000 and nation’s birthrate (or the estimated number of children a woman bears in her lifetime) was 1.41, falling short of a 2.07 birthrate needed to maintain the current population. This illuminated the fact that Japan has become a nation with the world’s most hostile environment for having children.

In March, the government panel on economic and fiscal policy proposed that the government set a goal to regain the 2.07 birthrate as early as possible between 2020 and 2030. Prime Minister Abe got into line with this proposal.

Setting a national target for the fertility rate will undermine the reproductive decision-making right of citizens, especially women. Last year, the Abe administration planned to publish a “women’s handbook” in order to “teach women about the best age to be for childrearing.” The government gave up the plan as it provoked fierce public criticism. Like this plan, it is anachronistic for the government to establish a numerical goal of increasing the birthrate.

Rather than the absence of a national target, the major factor in Japan’s low birthrate is the government’s reluctance to solve problems in Japanese society which constitute obstacles to get married and have children.

At present, half of Japanese young people are working as non-regular employees who are low paid and with unstable employment. Even if they can find a regular job, they are forced to work excessively long working hours. So-called black corporations which use workers as disposable labor deprive young workers of hope for their future.

In Japan, many women are giving up their careers when they get pregnant or after having children. Nevertheless, the government is failing to improve the current poor childrearing environment, including the shortage of childcare centers.

The need now is for the government to create a society in which people can work with dignity and balance their work and family life, not set a national birth rate.

Past related articles:
> Gov’t cancels plan to circulate ‘Women’s Handbook’ [May 29, 2013]
> Women protest against Abe’s plan of childbirth handbook [May 9, 2013]