Core Viewpoint - The Japanese government is implementing a nationwide social security fee, termed as "child-rearing support fund," to address the severe declining birth rate, rather than a tax specifically targeting single individuals [1][3]. Group 1: Population Crisis - Japan's birth rate has reached a historic low of 1.2, with only 758,600 births in 2023, significantly below the 2.1 needed to maintain population levels [1][3]. - The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research had predicted that the birth rate would fall below 760,000 by 2035, but this milestone was reached 12 years earlier than expected [1][3]. Group 2: Financial Implications - By 2028, the government plans to allocate 3.6 trillion yen annually for measures against declining birth rates, with 1 trillion yen sourced from the child-rearing support fund [3]. - The fee structure is income-based, with individuals earning 2 million yen paying 2,400 yen in 2026, increasing to 4,200 yen by 2028, while those earning over 10 million yen will pay 12,000 yen in 2026 and 19,800 yen in 2028 [3]. Group 3: Social Equity Concerns - The policy has sparked debates over social equity, as families with children can receive various subsidies, while single individuals or childless couples bear the financial burden without compensation [3][5]. - Over 60% of respondents oppose the policy, particularly younger individuals who feel it unfairly shifts the financial responsibility of child-rearing onto them [5]. Group 4: Structural Changes in Society - The lifelong unmarried rate has surged, with over 25% of men and nearly 20% of women choosing to remain single, reflecting a significant societal shift [5]. - Factors such as unstable income, high housing costs, and work pressure deter young people from marriage and childbearing, indicating that economic incentives alone may not suffice to encourage higher birth rates [5][6]. Group 5: Policy Implementation Challenges - The policy is viewed as a wealth redistribution mechanism, transferring resources from childless individuals to families with children, which may create adverse incentives [7]. - Concerns exist regarding the effective use of funds for child-rearing support and the potential for misuse or inefficiency in the implementation of the policy [7]. Group 6: Long-term Considerations - The policy may exacerbate societal divisions between single individuals and families, highlighting the tension between personal choice and collective societal interests [9]. - A comprehensive approach addressing systemic issues such as housing affordability, job stability, and educational burdens is essential for effectively tackling the declining birth rate [9].

Core Viewpoint - The Japanese government's new policy, starting in 2026, will impose a "Child Support Tax" on all citizens enrolled in public health insurance, regardless of marital status, which has been criticized as a "single tax" due to its perceived inequity [1][6]. Group 1: Policy Details - The tax will be based on income, with higher earners paying more; by 2028, high-income individuals could pay up to 19,800 yen (approximately 900 RMB) annually [1][4]. - Initial monthly payments will start at 200 yen for those earning 2 million yen (about 90,000 RMB) and increase progressively with income [1][4]. - The funds collected will be used to expand child allowances and support services for families with children, but single individuals and childless couples will not receive direct benefits [1][4]. Group 2: Public Reaction - A recent poll indicates that 42.1% of the public opposes the tax, with younger demographics expressing significant discontent, citing issues like stagnant wages and high living costs as barriers to starting families [6][9]. - Some individuals have expressed extreme views, suggesting they might engage in repeated marriages and divorces to avoid the tax, reflecting a sense of desperation among single citizens [6][9]. Group 3: Societal Implications - The policy highlights systemic discrimination against single individuals in Japan, where married people often enjoy more benefits in various aspects of life [7][9]. - The government's approach to addressing the declining birth rate through economic penalties may backfire, potentially leading to increased resistance to traditional family structures among young people [11][12]. Group 4: Broader Context - Japan faces a severe demographic crisis, with a total fertility rate of 1.26, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1, and projections suggest a potential population decline of one-third by 2065 [7][8]. - Historical evidence suggests that financial incentives alone may not effectively address the complex reasons behind low birth rates, as seen in other countries like France [9][12].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights a significant global decline in birth rates, with the average number of children per woman dropping from 3.31 in 1990 to 2.3 in 2024, and over 55% of countries reporting fertility rates below the replacement level of 2.1 [1][3] - Japan's newborn population is projected to fall to approximately 686,000 in 2024, marking a decrease of 41,200 from 2023 and the first time it has dropped below 700,000 since records began in 1899 [1] - South Korea has declared a "population emergency" due to its declining birth rates, with the government implementing measures to encourage childbirth, including financial incentives for newlyweds [1][6] Group 2 - Economic factors are identified as the primary reasons for declining birth rates, with 39% of respondents in a survey citing financial constraints as the main barrier to achieving their desired family size [4] - The report emphasizes the need for governments to create supportive environments for families, suggesting measures such as paid parental leave, affordable childcare services, and equitable family leave policies [5][6] - Sweden's innovative approach to allowing grandparents to receive compensation for childcare is highlighted as a successful model to alleviate the burden on young parents and strengthen family support networks [5] Group 3 - The report indicates that global population growth will continue for the next 50 years, peaking at around 10.3 billion by the mid-2080s, followed by a slight decline [3] - The demographic shift is leading to larger elderly communities and smaller youth populations, presenting unprecedented challenges for societies [3] - The report calls for a transformation in government roles to become "fertility enablers," creating environments that support individuals' reproductive choices [7]

Group 1: Birth Rate and Population Dynamics - In 2024, Japan's newborn population is projected to be 686,061, a decrease of 5.7% from the previous year, marking the ninth consecutive year of decline and the first time since 1899 that the annual birth count falls below 700,000 [1] - The total fertility rate in Japan is expected to drop from 1.20 in 2023 to 1.15 in 2024, the lowest on record, and significantly below the 2.07 needed for population stability [1] - Tokyo has the lowest fertility rate at 0.96, followed by Miyagi (1.00) and Hokkaido (1.01) [1] Group 2: Marriage and Death Rates - The number of marriage registrations in Japan increased by 2.2% in 2024, reaching 485,063, marking the first rise in two years [2] - The number of deaths in Japan rose to 1,605,298 in 2024, an increase of 1.9%, resulting in a record natural population decrease of 919,237 [2] Group 3: Government Measures and Foreign Labor - To address the declining birth rate, the Japanese government has implemented various measures, including child welfare allowances, support for multi-child families, and expanded childcare services [2] - The Japanese government plans to increase the cap on foreign worker visas to 800,000 from April 2024 to March 2029, more than doubling the previous limit of 345,000 [4] - Japan has opened 16 sectors for foreign labor, including transportation, nursing, construction, and agriculture [4]