Japan's Cabinet hopes more financial support for parents and easing the burden of childcare leave will help turn the tide on the falling birthrate.
The country has seen a decline six years straight.
Ministers approved several new measures to tackle that on Tuesday.
At a news conference, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said, "Japan's birthrate is rapidly declining and its population is decreasing. If we can't stop the trend now, our country's economy and society will shrink and it will become difficult to maintain local communities, as well as social security systems such as pensions, medical care and nursing care."
Kishida says a key factor behind the declining birthrate is the incomes of young people.
He says his government will continue to promote economic growth while doing all it can to raise incomes of younger generations.
The government aims to spend about 25 billion dollars annually over the next three years to focus on the issue.
The measures will remove the limit on household income for receiving child-rearing allowances from the government.
Coverage will be expanded to children in senior high school.
Families will be able to get a monthly allowance of 30,000 yen, or about 215 dollars, for their third child and onwards, regardless of age.
The government plans to start the changes in October next year.
To reduce the cost burden for post-secondary education, more students will be eligible for scholarships or reduced tuition fees.
Japan also plans to increase financial support for childbirth such as having childbirth expenses covered by public health insurance.
Officials aim to raise benefits for childcare leave so even if both parents take leave, the disposable income of a family will not change for up to four weeks.
To fund the measures, the government plans to reform social welfare spending.
Officials say they could temporarily issue government bonds but will aim to not increase the financial burden on the public.
The government plans to finalize the details of support measures and financing schemes by the end of the year.
The country has seen a decline six years straight.
Ministers approved several new measures to tackle that on Tuesday.
At a news conference, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said, "Japan's birthrate is rapidly declining and its population is decreasing. If we can't stop the trend now, our country's economy and society will shrink and it will become difficult to maintain local communities, as well as social security systems such as pensions, medical care and nursing care."
Kishida says a key factor behind the declining birthrate is the incomes of young people.
He says his government will continue to promote economic growth while doing all it can to raise incomes of younger generations.
The government aims to spend about 25 billion dollars annually over the next three years to focus on the issue.
The measures will remove the limit on household income for receiving child-rearing allowances from the government.
Coverage will be expanded to children in senior high school.
Families will be able to get a monthly allowance of 30,000 yen, or about 215 dollars, for their third child and onwards, regardless of age.
The government plans to start the changes in October next year.
To reduce the cost burden for post-secondary education, more students will be eligible for scholarships or reduced tuition fees.
Japan also plans to increase financial support for childbirth such as having childbirth expenses covered by public health insurance.
Officials aim to raise benefits for childcare leave so even if both parents take leave, the disposable income of a family will not change for up to four weeks.
To fund the measures, the government plans to reform social welfare spending.
Officials say they could temporarily issue government bonds but will aim to not increase the financial burden on the public.
The government plans to finalize the details of support measures and financing schemes by the end of the year.
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Summary
Japan's Cabinet aims to combat falling birthrate through financial aid and easing childcare leave burdens. PM Kishida expresses concern over the declining population, its impact on economy and society. Key measures include removing income limit for child-rearing allowances, extending coverage to
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ID: 6784a17e-a588-415f-8f11-c2ce3d7c7019
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230614_01/
Date: June 14, 2023
Created: 2023/06/14 07:21
Updated: 2025/12/09 02:58
Last Read: 2023/06/14 07:58