Japan's Declining Birth Rate and Local Government Responses

Japan's birth rate has hit a record low for the tenth straight year, but small signs of improvement in some prefectures — linked to rising marriages and local support programs — suggest that targeted government action may be starting to make a difference.

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you enjoy spending time with young children — for example, nieces, nephews, or children of friends? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think is the most important thing a person needs before starting a family?
  3. How do you feel about the idea of the government paying part of the cost for people to use matchmaking apps — do you think it is a good use of public money?
  4. Do you think the place where you live does enough to support young families and new parents? What more could it do?
  5. Some people want to get married but find it hard to meet the right person. Do you think apps or matchmaking services are a good solution, or do they feel unnatural?
  6. In your country, has the attitude toward marriage and having children changed compared to your parents' generation? How?
  7. Do you think a company has any responsibility for whether its employees can afford to get married and have children? Why or why not?
  8. Many countries are facing a declining birth rate. Do you think immigration is a good long-term solution to this problem, or should governments focus on other measures?
  9. Some people argue that the government should not try to influence personal decisions about marriage or having children — that it is simply not the state's business. Do you agree?
  10. If you had to choose between a society with a high birth rate but strong social pressure to marry and have children, and a society with complete personal freedom but a shrinking population, which would you prefer — and why?

Vocabulary Spotlight

fertility rate
A measure of how many children an average woman is expected to have in her lifetime.
demographic
Relating to the structure of a population, such as age groups, birth rates, and marriages.
subsidize
To pay part of the cost of something to make it cheaper or more available to people.
yield
To produce a result or outcome from an effort or action.
non-regular employee
A worker hired on a temporary or part-time basis, without the job security of a permanent position.