Chinese According to the latest demographic statistics (estimates) released by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on June 3, the number of babies born in Japan in 2021 (births) was 811,604, falling to a new low since the statistics were established in 1899. Compared with 2020, 29,231 people have been reduced, and a fall below the 800,000 mark is just around the corner.
The Japanese government released estimates in 2017 that the number of births falling to 810,000 to less than 815,000 should be in 2027. Nowadays, the decline in birthrate has further developed, and it has reached this number about 6 years ahead of schedule. To this end, measures such as the shortage of manpower to bear social security have become a top priority.
Statistics show that the "total special birth rate" of the putative number of children born to each woman in her lifetime is 1.30, a decrease of 0.03 points from the previous year, and a decrease for 6 consecutive years. The number of marriages registered was 501,116, the lowest number of marriages in the post-war period, and 24,391 fewer than the previous year. The number of divorces was 184,386 groups, a decrease of 8,867 groups from the previous year.
The number of natural deaths in the population increased after a year, reaching a post-war maximum of 1.439,809, an increase of 67,054 over the previous year. The number of births minus the number of deaths, the natural decrease in the population to 628,205, also the largest decline in history.
The head of the Ministry of Public Labor said that the impact of the new crown epidemic was unclear on the decrease in the number of births, and the analysis said that "the decline in the birth rate in the 20s has had an impact."
The number of births in Japan reached about 2.09 million in 1973, at the peak of the second baby boom, and has continued to decline since then. In terms of the age group of fertile mothers, the largest number of 30 to 34 years old is 292,435. The only increase over the previous year was in the 40-44-year-old population, with 48,516 (an increase of 617), reflecting the momentum of late childbearing. The average age of the mother at the time of the birth of the first child is 30.9 years.
The total special birth rate of each prefecture is ranked: Okinawa 1.80, Kagoshima 1.65, Miyazaki 1.64, Shimane 1.62, Nagasaki 1.60. The bottom rankings are Tokyo 1.08, Miyagi 1.15, Hokkaido 1.20 and Chiba 1.21.
On the other hand, the largest number of deaths due to cancer among the deceased, accounting for 26.5%; It was followed by heart disease, at 14.9 percent. 16,756 people have died from COVID-19.
To highlight the Japanese government's efforts to support childcare, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio posted a promotional video on the official residence website on June 8. He said that in principle, the one-time subsidy of 420,000 yen for childbirth and childcare will be raised at the time of childbirth, and he stressed that "an environment will be created so that pregnant women can have children with peace of mind."
Kishida demonstrated his goal of creating a "Children's Family Hall" in April 2023. He said that the problem of waiting for childcare will be resolved and the provision of parental leave for men will be promoted, etc., and "a child-centered society will be realized, and initiatives will be promoted to double the budget."
The Children's Family Agency, which Kishida plans to establish in government, will comprehensively address issues such as low birthrate, abuse, and child poverty. The Office is directly subordinate to the Prime Minister, and the relevant posts in the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Cabinet Office will be transferred to the Office.
The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that the problem of the decline in the number of births in Japan is very serious. Many people demand improving the educational environment and educational disparities for children from poor families.