11 Japan’s struggle with a declining birth rate has been persistent and acute, with recent statistics showing a total fertility rate as low as 1.20. The demographic challenge is further compounded by Japan’s aging population, which places additional strain on the nation’s social security systems. In an ambitious attempt to reverse these trends, the government under Prime Minister Kishida has implemented the “New Dimension” policy suite.1.Child Allowances: The government has proposed doublingthe child allowances to 30,000 yen for children underthree years and extending these benefits to high schoolstudents.Social Insurance Coverage: A new initiative is set toexpand social insurance to cover maternity expenses,which were previously uncovered, aiming to reduce thefinancial burden on expectant families.2.3.Daycare Programs: Access to daycare is to be expanded,allowing all children to attend regardless of their parents’employment status, shifting from the previous systemwhere only children of employed parents were eligible. Work Culture: The demanding work culture in Japan discourages young couples from starting families due to the perceived inability to balance work and personal life. In this Article, we dive deeply into a critical issue increasingly confronting many developed nations: the declining birth rates that pose significant demographic challenges. This article focuses specifically on the strategic responses of Japan and Hungary, where I am studying right now. Japan and Hungary exemplify the complexities and urgent nature of this global concern. Both nations have observed significant population declines and adopted approaches to combat this issue, reflecting their unique historical, economic, and social contexts. We explore the multifaceted strategies these countries have employed, from innovative policy-making to extensive social programs. This article will not only highlight the effectiveness of these policies but also their broader societal implications, providing insights into how similar challenges might be addressed in these two countries.4.Childcare Leave Benefits: Enhancements to childcareleave benefits include providing parents with up to 100%of their after-tax income during leave periods, encouragingmore fathers to take paternity leave as well.Despite these comprehensive measures, Japan’s efforts haveyet to yield significant improvements in birth rates. One major criticism of these policies is their heavy reliance on financial incentives without addressing deeper societal and cultural issues. For instance, Japan’s work environment often involves long hours and inflexible schedules, which are not conducive to family life. A concrete example would be as follows. Gender Roles: Traditional gender roles are deeply entrenched, with women expected to take on the bulk of domestic responsibilities, which can dissuade them from having more children.Shota TakanouchiSemmelweis University Japanese Approach to Low Birth Rates Key Components of Japan’s New Dimension Measures: Cultural Barriers and Policy Limitations:Tackling Low Birth Rates
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