Last year's number of births nationwide was 726,000, the lowest ever, Japan Research Institute. Total fertility rate is expected to decline to around 1.20.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi: "This is our last chance, and we are on the brink of taking action" "We need to have the idea that men and women work equally and support their families," Hayashi says. "In addition, it is important to work to increase the momentum in society as a whole to support children," he adds.