According to the latest demographic statistics released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of births (including the preliminary value of foreigners) in January~November 2023 was 696,886, a decrease of 5.3% from the same period of the previous year.
The number of births fell below 700,000 by November, the first time since 2004. Takumi Fujina, an expert at Japan's General Research Institute, estimates that the number of newborns (excluding foreigners) in 2023 is expected to be only 727,000, a decrease of 5.73% from the previous year.
After setting a record of falling below 800,000 for the first time since the beginning of statistics in 22 years, 2023 may set a new record low for 8 consecutive years!
The number of marriages in January~November last year was 451,769, a decrease of 5.6% compared to the same period of the previous year. Previously, the number of marriages decreased due to restrictions on movement due to the coronavirus, but after the epidemic shifted to category 5 in May last year, the number of marriages is still stagnant and there is no sign of recovery.
The number of deaths in the same period was 1,444,146, an increase of 1.4% over the previous year. Subtracting the natural increase in deaths from births, the natural increase was negative at 747,260. Japan's total population is shrinking rapidly due to the decline in newborns and the aging population.
Some experts believe that rising prices are one of the important factors hindering Japanese people from having children, especially young people who have only been working for a few years and basically do not have much savings, and cannot afford to raise a child.
In response to soaring prices, the Japanese government announced at the end of last year that it would provide a 70,000 yen subsidy to low-income families who are not taxed under resident tax, including international students.
Kawasaki City will begin mailing payment slips to eligible households on January 25, and families who have previously received the same subsidy will receive remittances on February 26, and other households will need to apply electronically or by mail until April 30.
Starting in late March this year, Nagasaki City will pay 100,000 yen to households that only levy resident tax based on equal quotas, and 50,000 yen per child from low-income families with children under the age of 18.
Takatsuki City will also implement the same subsidy measures, and applications will be sent out in mid-February, and payments will be made sequentially from March.
Funabashi City and Urayasu City in Chiba Prefecture will provide free school meals from January ~ March 2024 for municipal elementary and junior high schools.
Tako Town provides a subsidy of 20,000 yen per child to families raising children aged 0~22;
Kamagaya City will provide a subsidy of 10,000 yen per child under the age of 18, with the payment scheduled for the end of February.
The Japanese government has decided to strengthen measures against the declining birthrate for three years from FY24 to secure an annual budget of 3.6 trillion yen by FY26 and expand child allowance and childcare leave allowance with the goal of preventing a decrease in births.
From December 24, the family income limit will be lifted for the payment of children's hand, the age will be extended to 18 years old to graduate from high school, and the allowance for children 3rd and older will be increased from 15,000 to 30,000 yen per month.
If both parents take more than 14 days of parental leave, the childcare leave allowance will be increased to 10% of the actual amount, up to a maximum of 28 days.
What kind of childcare allowance have you received in Japan?