Key Facts
• Mainichi Elementary School Newspaper conducted a survey ahead of the July 20 election.
• 10 political parties were asked about their most important policies for children.
• Japan’s public high school tuition is free, but other education costs remain high.
• In October 2024, child allowance expanded to include high school students, removing income limits.
• Japan’s birthrate hit a record low in 2024, with fewer than 700,000 births.
• The government established the Children and Families Agency in 2022 to address declining birthrates.
• Parties proposed reducing education costs, cutting taxes, and providing cash benefits to families.
• Liberal Democratic Party focuses on reducing education costs and improving child safety.
• Constitutional Democratic Party aims for equal education access and a child-first society.
• Komeito advocates free access to essential services like education and healthcare.
• Japan Innovation Party supports free education from elementary to university levels.
• Japanese Communist Party promotes free tuition, school meals, and child healthcare.
• Democratic Party for the People suggests reducing taxes and utility costs to increase take-home pay.
• Reiwa Shinsengumi proposes abolishing consumption tax and giving families $10,000 cash benefits.
• Sanseito plans monthly $10,000 payments to children for personalized education.
• Social Democratic Party emphasizes children’s rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Summary
Ahead of Japan’s July 20 election, the Mainichi Elementary School Newspaper surveyed 10 political parties on their most critical policies for children. Key issues include reducing education costs, addressing economic burdens, and combating the declining birthrate, which fell below 700,000 in 2024. Parties proposed various solutions, such as free education, tax cuts, and cash benefits. The Liberal Democratic Party prioritizes affordable education and child safety, while the Constitutional Democratic Party focuses on equal access to education. Komeito envisions free essential services, and the Japan Innovation Party supports free education through university. The Japanese Communist Party advocates free tuition and healthcare, and the Democratic Party for the People suggests reducing taxes and utility costs. Reiwa Shinsengumi proposes abolishing consumption tax and providing $10,000 cash benefits, while Sanseito plans monthly payments for children’s education. The Social Democratic Party emphasizes children’s rights under international conventions. Despite government efforts, including the 2022 establishment of the Children and Families Agency, Japan’s birthrate continues to decline, highlighting the urgency of these policies.
