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Japan's population drops below 125 mln, down for 12th year

STORY: Japan's population drops below 125 mln, down for 12th yearDATELINE: April 14, 2023LENGTH: 00:00:53LOCATION: TokyoCATEGORY: SOCIETYSHOTLIST:1. various of street scenes in Japan2. various of Japanese peopleSTORYLINE:The population in Japan declined to 124.95 million in 2022, marking the 12th consecutive year of decline, government data showed Wednesday. As of Oct. 1 last year, the total population, including foreign residents, saw a decrease of 556,000, or 0.44 percent from the previous year, according to the latest population estimates released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The number of Japanese nationals, which came in at 122 million, plunged by 750,000, the decline of which has been expanding since 2011, the ministry said in an online report. The figure represented the largest comparable decline since comparable data became available in 1950, Kyodo News reported. The government will address the country's falling birthrate "with the highest priorit

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Japan to raise income cap for higher education aid

STORY: Japan to raise income cap for higher education aid DATELINE: April 5, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:04 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: ECONOMY/EDUCATION SHOTLIST: 1. various of cityscape in Tokyo STORYLINE: Japan's education ministry said Tuesday that it will raise the income cap for a public financial aid plan to help pay for higher education. The move, aimed at expanding support for middle-income households with multiple children, is slated to begin in fiscal 2024. The eligibility cap will be raised to an annual household income of 6 million yen (45,512 U.S. dollars) from the current 3.8 million yen, while the number of eligible students is expected to increase by about 200,000. The plan, a combination of tuition reduction and scholarships, was included in the Japanese government's draft of "unprecedented measures" to tackle the country's declining birthrate, which was announced last week. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tokyo. (XHTV)

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Japan's new Children and Families Agency starts full operation

STORY: Japan's new Children and Families Agency starts full operation DATELINE: April 5, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:53 LOCATION: Tokyo CATEGORY: POLITICS/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of children 2. various of the inaugural ceremony (courtesy of Prime Minister's Office of Japan) STORYLINE: Japan's newly created Children and Families Agency began its full-scale operations on Monday, in a bid to eliminate the vertically segmented administration of child-related policies previously overseen by multiple government agencies. The new administrative body, established with about 400 personnel, is designed to serve as a control tower for a wide range of policies, such as supporting child-rearing, alleviating child poverty, helping to prevent child abuse and tackling the falling birthrate. At an inaugural ceremony held at its Tokyo office on Monday, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said that his government aims to create a society centered on children, always considering what is best for them. The agency, created as an extern

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Japan PM on measures against low birthrate

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks about measures to counter the country's declining birthrate at a press conference in Tokyo on March 17, 2023.

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Japan PM on measures against low birthrate

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks about measures to counter the country's declining birthrate at a press conference in Tokyo on March 17, 2023.

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Japan PM on measures against low birthrate

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks about measures to counter the country's declining birthrate at a press conference in Tokyo on March 17, 2023.

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Japan PM on measures against low birthrate

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks about measures to counter the country's declining birthrate at a press conference in Tokyo on March 17, 2023.

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Kamikawa worked on staff of U.S. lawmaker

TOKYO, Japan - Yoko Kamikawa, who has been appointed minister in charge of the falling birthrate, speaks at her inaugural press conference on Aug. 27. A third-term House of Representatives member, Kamikawa once worked as a policymaking staffer for U.S. Sen. Max Baucus.

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New gov't panel to tackle population decline

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (front) speaks at the first meeting of a new government panel tasked with tackling Japan's population decline, at his office in Tokyo on Sept. 12, 2014. Japan's population is projected to fall to 87 million by 2060 from 126 million now due to a birthrate long below the population replenishment rate.

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Arimura takes over from Mori

TOKYO, Japan - Haruko Arimura (R), Japan's newly appointed minister in charge of supporting women's empowerment, and Masako Mori, former minister in charge of tackling the declining birthrate, shake hands at the Consumer Affairs Agency in Tokyo on Sept. 4, 2014, as Arimura took over the job from Mori.

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Measures for declining births in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Masako Mori (L), minister of state for measures for the declining birthrate, receives a set of proposals from a government task force on the issue at the Consumer Affairs Agency in Tokyo in May 2014.

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Adults, children relax at park in Tehran

TEHRAN, Iran - Adults and children relax at a park in Tehran, Iran, on April 2, 2014. Iran is promoting a higher birthrate to expand its economy.

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Colombia envoy in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Masako Mori (L), Japan's state minister in charge of declining birthrate issues, and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (C) attend an event to encourage Japan's policy to promote female leadership, at the official residence of Colombian Ambassador to Japan Patricia Eugenia Cardenas Santamaria (R) in Tokyo on March 6, 2014.

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Abe Cabinet

TOKYO, Japan - Masako Mori enters the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2012, after being named state minister in charge of declining birthrate by Shinzo Abe, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, who took office as Japan's new prime minister the same day.

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Former education minister Nakagawa

TOKYO, Japan - Masaharu Nakagawa, former education, culture, sports, science and technology minister, enters the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2012. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda the same day appointed Nakagawa as minister in charge of disaster management, as well as of the falling birthrate and gender equality.

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Ex-state minister Fukushima addresses Cabinet Office officials

TOKYO, Japan - Mizuho Fukushima, former state minister in charge of consumer affairs, food safety, declining birthrate and gender equality, delivers a farewell speech to Cabinet Office officials in Tokyo on May 31, 2010. Fukushima was dismissed on May 28 by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama from the portfolio over her opposition to the government's plan for the relocation of a U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture.

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Japan to study French model for child allowances: Fukushima

PARIS, France - Mizuho Fukushima (R), Japanese minister in charge of measures to deal with the low birthrate, speaks during a news conference in Paris on Jan. 4. Fukushima said Japan will explore the possibility of setting up a children's fund modeled after France's family allocations system that finances many of its child-rearing support measures.

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Fukushima lectures in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Social Democratic Party chief Mizuho Fukushima, who is also state minister in charge of the declining birthrate and gender equality, gives a lecture at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Oct. 14, 2009.

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Fukushima takes over duties from Obuchi

TOKYO, Japan - Mizuho Fukushima (R), new state minister in charge of consumer affairs, food safety, declining birthrate and gender equality, shakes hands with her predecessor Yuko Obuchi at the Cabinet Office in Tokyo on Sept. 17 as she takes over from Obuchi.

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Obuchi expecting 2nd child

TOKYO, Japan - Yuko Obuchi, minister in charge of tackling the declining birthrate, said during a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 16 that she is pregnant with her second child. It is the first time an incumbent Japanese Cabinet member has become pregnant.

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Obuchi becomes youngest postwar minister

TOKYO, Japan - Yuko Obuchi, new state minister in charge of tackling the declining birthrate, speaks at a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 24. Obuchi, 34, the second daughter of the late Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, is the youngest minister to be appointed in postwar Japan.

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Obuchi becomes youngest postwar minister

TOKYO, Japan - Yuko Obuchi, new state minister in charge of tackling the declining birthrate, arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 24. Obuchi, 34, the second daughter of the late Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, is the youngest minister to be appointed in postwar Japan.

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Prime Minister Fukuda reshuffles his Cabinet

TOKYO, Japan - Kyoko Nakayama speaks at a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 1 after being appointed a state minister in charge of the declining birthrate issue and the abduction issue in the Cabinet Reshuffle.

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Japan's school uniform makers feel pinch from decline in birthrate

OKAYAMA, Japan - High school students in Okayama City attend a seminar on wearing uniforms.

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Yanagisawa apologizes for remark on women but refuses to resign

TOKYO, Japan - Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa (far left) apologizes during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session on Feb. 7 for his controversial remarks about women as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (far right) and other Cabinet members look on. But Yanagisawa refused to bow to opposition calls to resign, saying he will remain in the post and deal with the problem of Japan's declining birthrate.

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Abe Cabinet gets down to work

TOKYO, Japan - Sanae Takaichi (L), new state minister in charge of declining birthrate issues, takes over her predecessor Kuniko Inoguchi on Sept. 27.

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Keidanren calls for sales tax hike for social security costs

TOKYO, Japan - Fujio Mitarai, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, speaks in Tokyo on Aug. 28. He said the consumption tax should be raised to finance the social security system in the face of Japan's rapidly ageing population and dwindling birthrate.

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'Assassin' Sato now head of LDP chapter in Gifu Pref.

GIFU, Japan - Ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Yukari Sato (far L) participates in a ceremony to open a branch office of the party in Gifu Prefecture on Dec. 4. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi fielded Sato in the September general election as one of his ''assassin'' candidates to defeat LDP rebels. Also taking part were LDP Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe (C) and Kuniko Inoguchi (front, in dark suit), state minister charged with declining birthrate issues.

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Japan PM Kishida's Cabinet reshuffle

Masanobu Ogura, newly appointed Japanese minister in charge of measures for declining birthrate, attends a press conference in Tokyo after a Cabinet reshuffle on Aug. 10, 2022.

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Japan PM Kishida's Cabinet reshuffle

Masanobu Ogura (R), Japan's new minister in charge of measures for declining birthrate, attends an attestation ceremony with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Aug. 10, 2022, after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reshuffled his Cabinet. Kishida can be seen in the center. (Pool photo)

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Inauguration of Japan PM Kishida's Cabinet

Seiko Noda, Japanese minister in charge of measures for declining birthrate, arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Oct. 4, 2021, before her attestation ceremony at the Imperial Palace. New Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet was inaugurated the same day.

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'Assassin' Sato now head of LDP chapter in Gifu Pref.

GIFU, Japan - Ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Yukari Sato (far L) participates in a ceremony to open a branch office of the party in Gifu Prefecture on Dec. 4. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi fielded Sato in the September general election as one of his ''assassin'' candidates to defeat LDP rebels. Also taking part were LDP Secretary General Tsutomu Takebe (C) and Kuniko Inoguchi (front, in dark suit), state minister charged with declining birthrate issues. (Kyodo)

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Keidanren calls for sales tax hike for social security costs

TOKYO, Japan - Fujio Mitarai, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, speaks in Tokyo on Aug. 28. He said the consumption tax should be raised to finance the social security system in the face of Japan's rapidly ageing population and dwindling birthrate. (Kyodo)

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Yanagisawa apologizes for remark on women but refuses to resign

TOKYO, Japan - Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Hakuo Yanagisawa (far left) apologizes during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session on Feb. 7 for his controversial remarks about women as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (far right) and other Cabinet members look on. But Yanagisawa refused to bow to opposition calls to resign, saying he will remain in the post and deal with the problem of Japan's declining birthrate. (Kyodo)

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Kamikawa worked on staff of U.S. lawmaker

TOKYO, Japan - Yoko Kamikawa, who has been appointed minister in charge of the falling birthrate, speaks at her inaugural press conference on Aug. 27. A third-term House of Representatives member, Kamikawa once worked as a policymaking staffer for U.S. Sen. Max Baucus. (Kyodo)

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Obuchi expecting 2nd child

TOKYO, Japan - Yuko Obuchi, minister in charge of tackling the declining birthrate, said during a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 16 that she is pregnant with her second child. It is the first time an incumbent Japanese Cabinet member has become pregnant. (Kyodo)

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Cabinet minister Kato visits Yasukuni Shrine

Katsunobu Kato (R), minister in charge of dealing with Japan's declining birthrate and graying society, walks out after offering prayers at the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Oct. 20, 2015. Kato was the third minister of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's reshuffled Cabinet to pay homage at the Shinto shrine. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan encourages fathers to take leave after birth

Kunie Okamoto (L), vice chairman of the Japan Business Federation, Haruko Arimura (C), minister in charge of measures to tackle Japan's declining birthrate, and Fukushima Gov. Masao Uchibori hold the symbol mark for "Sankyu (Thank You) Papa Project," the Japanese government's campaign to encourage fathers to take leave after their wives give birth. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Yanmar demonstrates remote-controlled loading shovel

Japanese construction and agricultural machinery maker Yanmar Co. demonstrates a loading shovel operated by wireless remote control in Osaka, western Japan, as seen in this file photo taken on Nov. 19, 2014. Demand for farm machinery based on robotics technology is expected to grow in Japan amid a serious labor shortage stemming from the country's sagging birthrate and aging population. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Abe Cabinet gets down to work

TOKYO, Japan - Sanae Takaichi (L), new state minister in charge of declining birthrate issues, takes over her predecessor Kuniko Inoguchi on Sept. 27. (Kyodo)

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Obuchi becomes youngest postwar minister

TOKYO, Japan - Yuko Obuchi, new state minister in charge of tackling the declining birthrate, arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 24. Obuchi, 34, the second daughter of the late Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, is the youngest minister to be appointed in postwar Japan. (Kyodo)

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Obuchi becomes youngest postwar minister

TOKYO, Japan - Yuko Obuchi, new state minister in charge of tackling the declining birthrate, speaks at a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 24. Obuchi, 34, the second daughter of the late Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, is the youngest minister to be appointed in postwar Japan. (Kyodo)

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Prime Minister Fukuda reshuffles his Cabinet

TOKYO, Japan - Kyoko Nakayama speaks at a news conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 1 after being appointed a state minister in charge of the declining birthrate issue and the abduction issue in the Cabinet Reshuffle. (Kyodo)

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Ex-state minister Fukushima addresses Cabinet Office officials

TOKYO, Japan - Mizuho Fukushima, former state minister in charge of consumer affairs, food safety, declining birthrate and gender equality, delivers a farewell speech to Cabinet Office officials in Tokyo on May 31, 2010. Fukushima was dismissed on May 28 by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama from the portfolio over her opposition to the government's plan for the relocation of a U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. (Kyodo)

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Former education minister Nakagawa

TOKYO, Japan - Masaharu Nakagawa, former education, culture, sports, science and technology minister, enters the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 9, 2012. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda the same day appointed Nakagawa as minister in charge of disaster management, as well as of the falling birthrate and gender equality. (Kyodo)

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New gov't panel to tackle population decline

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (front) speaks at the first meeting of a new government panel tasked with tackling Japan's population decline, at his office in Tokyo on Sept. 12, 2014. Japan's population is projected to fall to 87 million by 2060 from 126 million now due to a birthrate long below the population replenishment rate. (Kyodo)

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Arimura takes over from Mori

TOKYO, Japan - Haruko Arimura (R), Japan's newly appointed minister in charge of supporting women's empowerment, and Masako Mori, former minister in charge of tackling the declining birthrate, shake hands at the Consumer Affairs Agency in Tokyo on Sept. 4, 2014, as Arimura took over the job from Mori. (Kyodo)

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Japan to study French model for child allowances: Fukushima

PARIS, France - Mizuho Fukushima (R), Japanese minister in charge of measures to deal with the low birthrate, speaks during a news conference in Paris on Jan. 4. Fukushima said Japan will explore the possibility of setting up a children's fund modeled after France's family allocations system that finances many of its child-rearing support measures. (Kyodo)

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Japan's new justice minister

Japan's new Justice Minister Masako Mori, who formerly served as minister in charge of tackling the declining birthrate, attends an inaugural press conference in Tokyo on Oct. 31, 2019, after replacing Katsuyuki Kawai, who resigned earlier in the day over alleged election law violations involving his wife. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Japan's new justice minister

Masako Mori, a former Japanese minister in charge of tackling the declining birthrate, arrives at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Oct. 31, 2019. Mori was appointed as the new justice minister to replace Katsuyuki Kawai, who resigned earlier in the day over alleged election law violations involving his wife, House of Councillors lawmaker Anri Kawai. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo