In order to take concrete measures against the declining birthrate, the government held a meeting of related ministries and agencies and conducted hearings with experts on the theme of strengthening economic support, mainly child allowances.
Experts expressed their views that, in addition to the substantial expansion of cash benefits, they called for well-balanced support with benefits in kind such as childcare and education.
A meeting of related ministries and agencies aimed at realizing the "countermeasures against the declining birthrate," which Prime Minister Kishida is aiming for, plans to put together a preliminary plan for concrete measures by the end of March.
At the second meeting on the 7th, Minister of State for the Declining Birthrate Ogura said, ``There are various factors behind the declining birthrate that prevent individuals from realizing their wishes for marriage, childbirth, and childcare. In the meantime, the measures that should be prioritized and drastic will change. There are various opinions about economic support, cash benefits and benefits in kind, etc." showed.
Hearings were then conducted with university professors and representatives of NPOs on the theme of strengthening financial support centered on child allowances.
Among them, Yumiko Watanabe, director of the NPO "Kids Door", which works to combat poverty among children, points out that the burden of educational expenses is particularly heavy for families raising children, and the removal of the income limit for child allowances and the raising of the eligibility age. In addition, we asked for an increase in the addition for multi-child households.
In addition, Chukyo University professor Shigeki Matsuda, who is familiar with the declining birthrate issue, points out that in addition to cash benefits, it is necessary to provide well-balanced support that combines in-kind benefits such as childcare and education. He appealed that we should consider a system in which society as a whole bears the burden.
Next time, we will exchange opinions on the theme of enhancement of early childhood education and childcare services.
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato “Should discuss the whole child-rearing policy broadly”
Regarding the strengthening of countermeasures against the declining birthrate, both the ruling and opposition parties are calling for the abolishment of income restrictions on child allowances. He expressed the idea that the whole child-rearing policy should be widely discussed, such as improving childcare.
In this, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato said, ``As far as I go around Okayama, my hometown, there are not many people who are raising children on an income that is subject to income restrictions. I think there is also a way to take it as 'whether or not we are talking about ourselves'."
In addition to the income limit for child allowances, we will have a wide range of discussions, including improving the quality of early childhood education and childcare, making it easier to receive various support services, and working styles of the child-rearing generation. I will continue to do so, ”he said, showing the idea that the whole child-rearing policy should be discussed widely.