Opinion

Implications of Low Birthrate for Society

By CHRISTINE CUNANAN-NOMURA

Japan's low birthrate and its socio-economic consequences have the country's planners worried. Under present conditions, the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research estimates that in 50 years each working person between the ages of 15 and 64 may have to shoulder 85 percent of one senior citizen's expenses.

For the government, the "graying of Japan" ― meaning the increase in the number of elderly vis-a-vis the work force ― is a daunting scenario. At the very least, this situation will mean higher compulsory social security payments and simultaneously fewer benefits.

Interestingly, the main solution to this complicated problem is simple: Families should be encouraged to have more children. Otherwise the government will be forced to keep raising worker contributions and to keep cutting social welfare benefits until social security exists only in name.

Japanese social researchers provide two basic reasons for the sliding birthrate :

(1) Women are reluctant to marry early or at all because of improved economic and social opportunities. They find marriage and child-rearing unattractive compared to work, education and following personal interests.

(2) Women must shoulder responsibilities alone. Japanese husbands are so burdened with company responsibilities that they only contribute 5 percent of their waking hours to the family and household, compared to the average 30 percent in major Western countries.

It is unfortunate that marriage and family have become unattractive options for so many Japanese women simply because they want to have a life of their own.

In many other countries, women are entitled to find fulfillment outside the home if they choose. However, in Japan, most women are pressured to choose between marriage and an interesting, independent life. Thus, it is little wonder that many young women regard marriage hesitantly.

A foreign friend recently left her two-month-old baby with a babysitter to attend a cocktail party. I thought this was quite normal for an active working woman and would probably have done the same. However, some Japanese who heard about this were aghast and thought my friend selfish for having left her child alone.

Mothers need stimulation, outside contact and varied experiences in order to rear children wisely. Women who continue to have active lives after childbirth are not selfish but sensible.

As for Japanese salarymen, I know many who wish they could be more active in family affairs. However, Japanese company demands on employees make it almost humanly impossible for salarymen to have enough time to be fathers and husbands.

No wonder so many Japanese women don't want children. Improving this situation will not only require a change in women's thinking but in society's as well.

Shukan ST: May 16, 1997

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