Japan PM Sees Record Low Births as 'Silent Crisis'

Speaking at the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the 4th, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed his recognition that the number of Japanese children born in Japan in 2025 and the birth rate will be at an all-time low, saying, ``We are in a very difficult situation.We view population decline as a quiet emergency and an important issue.'' Reply to Junya Ogawa, representative of the Centrist Reform Union.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of Japanese children born in Japan in 2025 was 671,236, the lowest ever since statistics began being kept in 1899. The total fertility rate was also 1.14, the lowest ever recorded since statistics began in 1947.

Takaichi said, ``It's only been seven months since I took office (as prime minister), and we haven't reached the point where we can drastically change the trend.''He added, ``I want to increase the amount of allowances young people receive as much as possible so that those who want to get married and have children don't have to give up on their dreams.'' ``I would like to strengthen support for people who are struggling with raising children alone,'' he said. [Itsuo Higashikubo]