Japan expands support for low birth rate… 32 trillion won invested by 2028
Starting in 2026, less than 500 yen per month will be collected from all citizens.
The Japanese government is pursuing the introduction of a ‘low birth tax’ to raise funds for low birth rate policies.
Local media, including the Asahi Shimbun and local public broadcaster NHK, reported on the 16th that the Japanese government had decided at the Cabinet meeting to revise low birth rate measures, including expansion of child allowances and parental leave allowances. The authorities plan to establish a low-birth tax collection system of less than 500 yen (about 4,500 won) per person per month by 2026.
Starting in October, the bill aims to ▲remove the income limit for child support subsidies, ▲expand the current payment limit age (middle school students) to high school students, and ▲double the subsidy starting from the third child.
In addition, various policies are included, such as the ‘All Children Kindergarten Attendance System’, which guarantees the use of childcare facilities for children aged 3 months to 3 years old starting in 2026, regardless of whether the parents are employed, an increase in subsidies for families with multiple children in the underprivileged, and an increase in childcare leave benefits. done.
The government plans to invest an annual budget of 3.6 trillion yen (about 32 trillion won) by 2028.
Foreign media reported that in order to secure financial resources, the authorities will collect 600 billion yen in the first year, 800 billion yen in 2027, and 1 trillion yen in 2028 from all citizens under the age of 74 who are enrolled in public health insurance starting in 2026.
It is estimated that the monthly payment per person will be less than 300 yen in 2026, less than 400 yen in 2027, and less than 500 yen in 2028. At the current exchange rate, it is equivalent to 4,500 won.
As a result of NHK’s public opinion poll (10th to 12th), 20% said the payment amount was reasonable, 31% said it was inappropriate, and 33% opposed the payment itself.
Meanwhile, as of 2022, Japan’s total fertility rate is 1.26 and Korea’s is 0.78.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.