Japan’s rapidly declining population is well-documented. There are a number of different people and groups in Japan have different opinions as to the reasons for it.

Some male conservative politicians have stated that Japanese women are not doing their duty to the country and need to have more children. Finance minister Taro Aso stated, “I think a bigger problem lies with [women] who decide not to give birth to children.” This comment ‘won’ the prize for most sexist remark in an online vote in Japan. http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ202001120046.html.

Many put the blame for Japan’s low birth rate on the lack of support for Japanese mothers: a lack of affordable child care, long work hours, and a lack of help at home from fathers.

In some ways though, it is essential for the traditional male and modern female sides of the argument top get equal attention.