peso 888 Tokyo to make day care free to boost birth rate

2024-12-16 03:28

A mother holds her children as she crosses a street in Tokyo on October 4, 2024. Agence France-Presse

TOKYO — Tokyo plans to make day care free for all preschool children starting in September, the city governor has announced as part of efforts to boost Japan’s low birth rate.

The move aims to reduce the financial burden on families by expanding a policy of free day care for second-born and subsequent children to first-borns as well.

Article continues after this advertisement

While many developed countries are struggling with low birth rates, the problem is particularly acute in Japan where the population has been declining for years.

FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Jollibee Group’s inclusive business practice boosts Filipino farmers’ productivity, income GLOBALNATION 'Alarming' US mystery drones confound officials, scare locals GLOBALNATION South Korea's Yoon vows to fight 'until the very last minute'

READ: Japan’s birth rate ‘critical’ as it hits record low

“Japan is facing the crisis of a declining number of children, which isn’t going away,” Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike said as she announced the plan this week.

Article continues after this advertisement

“There is no time to spare” to address the problem, she added, echoing warnings from the prime minister and other officials of a looming demographic crisis.

Article continues after this advertisement

Japanese media said the policy in Tokyo, one of the world’s biggest cities with a population of 14 million, is the first initiative of its kind at a regional level in Japan.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Japan had fewest babies ever recorded in 2023; marriages down, too

Public day care is currently available to working parents in Japan, but the national government is planning to widen access to all households.

Article continues after this advertisement

Koike also said earlier this month that she wants to introduce a four-day workweek option for government staff in Tokyo as part of a nationwide push to encourage parenthood.

Japan has the world’s second-oldest population after Monaco and the country’s relatively strict immigration rules mean it faces growing labour shortages.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

The closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar, a power plant that has dominated the surrounding central England landscape for nearly 60 years, marks a symbolic step in the UK’s ambition to decarbonize electricity by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2050.

Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty, who is heading the negotiations for the Philippine side, told the Inquirer that some chapters of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the Middle Eastern country are almost substantially concluded after the latest round of talks held last week.

Koike, a former minister and television anchor who has governed Tokyo since 2016, won a third term in July on vows to boost social welfare benefits while acknowledging challenges facing residentspeso 888, such as inflation.

READ NEXT UK to compensate LGBTQ veterans sacked by army US announces first Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon under cease... EDITORS' PICK UN General Assembly calls for 'unconditional' ceasefire in Gaza Tolentino leads awarding of land titles to 4,029 Bukidnon farmers Kababaihan donates TV sets for women's jail's ALS program FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host Senate bill seeks to crack down on ticket scalpers Transman Jesi Corcuera gives birth to baby girl MOST READ Labor group seeks suspension of ballot printing for 2025 polls Sofronio Vasquez looks back on Rey Valera's advice after 'The Voice' US win INQToday: Grijaldo skips House quad panel probe for the 4th time; held in contempt Suspected China Coast Guard ship leaves Zambales uninspected Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments