Characteristics and Problems of the Countermeasures Against Low Fertility in Japan: Reasons that Fertility Is not Increasing

Abstract

Japan has had unacceptably low fertility since the mid-1970s, but the government did not officially recognize low fertility as a problem and initiate countermeasures against it until the early-1990s, when the low fertility was spurred by the “1.57 shock.” For about 20 years, policy designed as a countermeasure has been based on two pillars: increasing the number of childcare facilities and supporting a desirable work-life balance. However, the total fertility rate remains low because of a mismatch between the main targets of policy: couples in which both partners are regular employees, particularly in big cities, and the actual reasons for low fertility. These reasons are: (1) increasing hesitation among young adults to get married because of deteriorating employment opportunities and (2) the heavy financial burdens on families where mothers are either homemakers or part-time workers and on families that face the dual burden of childrearing and educational costs. Therefore, in addition to the childcare and work-life balance approach, policies likely to increase fertility should focus on lightening the financial burdens of parenthood and education and on improving employment options and opportunities for single young adults.