For the eighth year in a row, Japan sets a new, dismal record: never before have so few children been born in the country.
Japan has struggled with an aging and shrinking population for many years, which has severe consequences for the country's economy. The latest figures, which apply to 2023, show no glimmer of hope.
Last year, a total of 727,277 children were born in Japan, 5.6 percent fewer than the previous year. This is the lowest number of newborns since 1899, when the measurements began. On average, each woman in the country is expected to have 1.2 children during her lifetime.
According to Hayashi, the next six years, until 2030, are the "last chance to possibly turn the trend around".
Statistics also show that the number of marriages has decreased by six percent in 2023, something that the authorities see as an explanation for the low birth rates. The reason why so few of the country's young people want to get married and start a family can be due to high living costs and difficulties in balancing work and family life.
On Wednesday, local time, the Japanese government presented a package intended to strengthen economic support for families with children and broaden access to childcare.
