Tokyo, Jan 23 (EFE).- Japan\u2019s prime minister promised Monday to focus his social policies on supporting child-rearing, with the aim of reversing the falling birthrate decline that threatens the functionality of Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his speech on the opening day of the 2023 ordinary parliamentary session, Fumio Kishida said that the country is at a \u201ccritical juncture” for maintaining its sustainability and pointed to birth policies as a priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kishida said policies aimed at facilitating families are “the most effective investment for the future\u201d and promised to “create a children-first economy and society.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Japan registered a record low of 811,604 births in 2021 and, pending the publication of official data, it is estimated that the number fell below 800,000 in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To address this trend, which together with the rapid aging of the population (around 30 percent is over 65 years of age) poses a demographic crossroads for the country, Kishida seeks to increase regulations and subsidies for parenting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In April, Japan plans to inaugurate the Children and Families Agency, a highly decentralized government body to oversee children\u2019s issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coinciding with the establishment of this agency, Japan\u2019s prime minister has promised by June to compile a series of measures and proposals that seek to double the budget related to raising children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We will consider how society as a whole can stably support children,” Kishida said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government has already advanced aid to cover the high costs of childbirth in the country and Kishida revealed Monday that they are also seeking to introduce a system of educational scholarships. EFE
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