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Tokyo Governor spearheads an initiative to make childcare services free for second-born kids

By on January 14, 2023

By year 2050, around 35% of Japan’s population will be 65 years old and above. The poses a threat to Japan’s economic growth and stability.

The continuously tumbling numbers of pregnancies and marriages in Japan have resulted in less than 800,000 recorded births in 2022 for the first time.

To address the rapidly declining birthrate in Japan, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said Thursday the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is leading the pack in making child care services at nurseries free for all second-born children residing in Tokyo starting October 2023.

The initiative will apply to children between the ages of 0 and 2, and the TMG will do away with household income restrictions because the ultimate goal is to provide an incentive for families to have more than one child.

“It should essentially be a state project but there is no moment to waste,” said Gov. Koike.

“We will implement bold measures with the resolve to stop the falling birthrate, starting from Tokyo.”

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