Japan's birth rate has fallen for the tenth consecutive year, reaching a record low and intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration to quickly implement support packages. Preliminary population data, released by the Ministry of Labor on 26/2, indicated that the number of newborns in 2025 dropped by 2,1% from the previous year, totaling approximately 706,000 infants. During the same period, deaths also decreased by 0,8% to around 1,6 million people, Bloomberg reported.

Focusing solely on domestic citizens, births in 2024 reached only about 686,000, the lowest figure since the government began collecting data in 1899. Officials plan to finalize and announce the complete 2025 figures next September.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to establish a national certification system for childcare workers, while also improving their wages and working conditions. Photo: AFP

Prime Minister Takaichi has outlined several policies to tackle the demographic challenge. Before her bid for leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) last October, she pledged tax reductions for nanny and domestic help services, alongside corporate tax cuts for companies operating in-house nurseries. She also promised to establish a national certification system, improving wages and working conditions for childcare staff. More recently, at the opening session of parliament last week, the Prime Minister stated the government would cover maternity costs, including regular check-ups and childbirth fees. Despite these commitments, officials have not yet officially implemented any of these proposals.

In 2023, former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida introduced a 3,6 trillion yen childcare support package, calling it an unprecedented measure. His successor, Shigeru Ishiba, maintained this approach. However, Takaichi's cabinet has integrated child policies into a broader agenda that includes population and foreign affairs. Minister Hitoshi Kikawada, who is responsible for addressing population decline, currently oversees 11 other diverse areas, from territorial disputes to food safety. This has raised public concern that the administration may be deprioritizing pro-birth policies, Bloomberg reported.

Globally, many nations are contending with aging populations and implementing diverse strategies. South Korea's statistics agency reported on 25/2 that the country's birth rate increased for the second consecutive year in 2025. This rise is attributed to a recovery in marriage rates and the positive impact of childcare subsidy policies. In the United States, President Donald Trump proposed a 5,000 USD grant for each newborn. Concurrently, the Chinese government plans to offer an annual subsidy of 3,600 yuan for each child under three years old.

By Binh Minh (Source: Bloomberg)