66万亿“生育补贴”，救不了日本生育率？

Core Points - The Japanese government will introduce a "single tax" in April 2024, officially known as "Child and Childcare Support Fund," aimed at raising funds to combat declining birth rates [3][14] - Public sentiment is largely negative, with many citizens referring to it as a "single tax" despite it not being specifically targeted at single individuals [4][22] - The government needs to allocate 2.1 trillion yen annually to support this initiative, which will be funded by contributions from all insured individuals [10][13] Tax Structure - The tax will be progressively higher based on individual income, with specific amounts outlined for the years 2026 to 2028 [15][17] - For example, an individual earning 2 million yen will contribute 2,400 yen in 2026, increasing to 4,200 yen by 2028 [17] Public Reaction - Many citizens express frustration, feeling that the tax unfairly burdens those without children while benefiting families with children [18][30] - The term "single tax" has gained traction on social media, with a significant increase in posts using this terminology since October of the previous year [29] Historical Context - Japan has a long history of financial incentives aimed at increasing birth rates, dating back to the 1971 Child Allowance Law, but these measures have had limited success [34][39] - The government has spent approximately 66 trillion yen since 2004 on various initiatives to combat declining birth rates, yet the number of newborns continues to hit record lows [38][41] Alternative Approaches - Some regions, like Nagareyama City, have successfully increased birth rates through comprehensive support systems rather than solely financial incentives [52][61] - These successful areas focus on creating a supportive environment for families, including improved childcare services and community involvement [56][68]