Job Discussion Forums

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Yes, we all know that the birth rate here is too low. Esp in the Tokyo area where it is as low as 1.0

But in Nagaizumi, Shizuoka Prefecture, they have taken reasonable steps to reverse it.
http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Economy/Child-care-tourism-key-for-Japan-s-struggling-municipalities

"Families with small children are flocking to Nagaizumi, which has a population of 42,000 and is located on the tip of Izu Peninsula, between Numazu and Mishima. The secret to the town's popularity is generous child care support. In Nagaizumi, out-of-pocket medical expenses for children up to the ninth grade are completely covered. Additionally, a family's third child and any subsequent children are eligible for free public kindergarten and preschool education.

Thanks to these measures, the town's total fertility rate was 1.99 in 2012, far higher than the national average of 1.41, and the population has increased 9% over the past 10 years."

I have seen places offering a free cow, free rice(60kg a year), and free trips to the local onsen, in order to recruit new blood to come to these dying rural areas. About time someone makes a reasonable effort to do something besides the nonsensical solutions that the Japanese towns offer.
Childcare and jobs is all you need to get people to have a decent amount of kids. Offer that, and not free cows/rice

Besides getting a lot of jobs out of Tokyo(which I feel is too large to be efficient economically or run by a government.), this is the next best thing. WHich is why I was excited about the come back on the logging industry, as this is the way to make sustainable jobs in rural areas. Pointless construction helps no one out, as it is a drain on the central govt.

In a lot of rural areas there are a lot of empty businesses. If they tried to recruit businesses by offering no taxes for a few years, and no rent. They could attract companies to create jobs in these areas. As I feel that Tokyo and Osaka are not the best places necessarily to create jobs, as rent and the COL living are pretty high for companies. Why not put some offices in Totori, Yamagata and Shikoku? As people will go where the jobs and child care are.

Seriously, finally someone has an actual solution here ie basically copying France

edit another cool link http://www.asahi.com/english/opinion/TKY200411250129.html

water rat · Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Posts: 1098 Location: North Antarctica

Free cows!? But why get a free cow when you can... oh, forget it.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I'm coming up 43 this year, single, childless and with mad combat skills and a solid teaching resume from 15 years of martial training and something like a career. My guy has kids who I dote on.

I think about what if - my work were more secure, maternity leave honored by employers, childcare considered a right for working families, and single moms not stigmatized. I might have had a chance to have a child.

Japan's old boys are clueless about helping the younger generations help themselves.

And all those secretary assed 30 something guys collecting game cards and working at convenience stores while okaasan cooks for them ought to be put in boot camps where they toughen up and learn to be adults.

While I'm ranting, nail art and fake eyelashes should be illegal. Put those primped girls in basic training, too.

Seriously, Japan ignores the needs of its young people. They need skills and policies to cope with demographic change and support for the well-being of families.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Agreed, the govt needs to twist some arms and get the J companies to respect mothers. It is silly to just have women quit after they get pregnant.
Which is half the reason the birthrate here.

There has been some progress as off late, but still daycare here is nuts. It took a good few months to find a place so my wife could work. Essentially it is almost impossible for women with kids to put them in daycare and then get a job. As the wait times are sometimes up to a year. You essentially have to wait til your kids hit elem before going back to work.

Yeah the young guys here are so lame. Bunch of momma boys. I had 2 JTs when I was an ALT, and they were incredibly lame. Young guys, but really their approach to life was awful. One went home every weekend to the neighboring province "so I can relax at my parent's house". Both never could get a date, and were mad about it too. Try not being a selfish little girl, and maybe women will notice you?
I never did dare much here, but Gyaru and HS girls bother me.

I agree, everyone here needs to be toughened up a bit. Every guy needs to get punched in the face at least once as an adult. Just to balance em out.