Japan Is So Desperate to Increase Its Birth Rate That Tokyo Is Trying Out a New Idea: Free Daycare

I think they might also need to maybe leave work at a reasonable time.

yes. damn. what an idea

They... they could've done this the entire time?

Also...loosen immigration laws?

I know it's a very closed off nation with deep cultural roots that is very weary of outsiders...

Why is it framed like it's something extreme?

Daycare/Kindergarten is already free across the country for all children starting at 3 years old.

All child healthcare is also free after a prefecture-set monthly premium (usually about 1000 yen).

This policy announcement is specifically about making the 0-3 year old gap free.

Honestly I'd rather just see the government pay more into the shakai hoken (the national insurance that pays for mother/father leave) so people can take more time off from work early on in the kids' lives.

Making it easier for parents to go back to work instead of focusing what's good for children and parents seems par for the course.

Decent first step, but it's going to take an actual investment in making parenthood desirable.

Oh fuck, oh fuck, our ponzi scheme is about to enter the find out phase.

Capitalism literally has failed the human race

Wait until they will discover affordable housing thing.

Japan: Nah, we're good.

What governments and corporations never understand and will never want to understand is that ....

... it isn't about the quantity of life ... or even the quantity of people who are alive or are born

... it's about the quality of life

If everyone lives a comfortable, safe and fulfilling life without risk of poverty or losing everything they have, then they are more likely to have children and raise them to become productive people who will contribute to society.

Otherwise if you don't take care of people, they will either have no children or a bunch of children that will all grow up to become a burden to society.

Decreasing birthrates are a good thing. You can't have unlimited growth

four-day workweek

/me franticly googling rents in Japan

Nice! really good direction. If this good results I hope more places follow suit.

Affordable housing, better working conditions, less working hours, efficient healthcare and better pay. It's not hard goddamn it.

Considering the situation they should mave life care, no one wants to have babies there. Raise by social entities

That would be a hit in the US

Fuck this narrative. Decreased birth rates is a major success

I wouldn't be averse to helping them out