Key Facts
• July 20, 2025: Upper House election highlights declining birthrate as a key issue.
• 2024 births: 686,061, marking the lowest number in Japan’s history.
• Total fertility rate in 2024: 1.15, far below the 2.07 needed for population stability.
• By 2040: Social security costs projected to rise by 28%, medical expenses by 48%, and caregiving costs by 71%.
• Government initiatives: marriage support, free childbirth costs by 2026, and improved parental leave policies.
• Parents’ concerns: balancing work and childcare, insufficient financial support, and limited male parental leave.
• Corporate example: Naris Cosmetics offers $140 monthly for employees with children, boosting male parental leave uptake to 60%.
• Party pledges: Free education, increased child allowances, and reduced childcare costs.
• France’s case: Fertility rate rose to 2.03 in 2006 due to robust family policies but fell to 1.62 by 2024.
• Expert analysis: Political consensus on addressing the issue, but solutions remain challenging.
Summary
Japan faces a critical population decline, with births dropping below 700,000 in 2024 and a fertility rate of 1.15. This trend threatens social security sustainability, with costs projected to rise significantly by 2040. The government has introduced measures like marriage support, free childbirth costs, and improved parental leave, but parents highlight the need for better work-life balance and financial aid. Companies like Naris Cosmetics are stepping up with unique childcare support, encouraging male parental leave. Political parties propose various solutions, including free education and increased child allowances, but experts note limited differentiation in their policies. France’s earlier success in boosting fertility rates through family-friendly policies offers lessons, though its rate has since declined. As the July 20 election approaches, addressing this “silent crisis” remains a pressing challenge.
