Japan's birth rate fell for ninth consecutive year in 2024 to hit record low
Tokyo, Feb 27 (AP): The number of babies born in Japan last year fell for a ninth straight year to a record low, according to health ministry data released Thursday.
The faster-than-predicted decline suggests government measures have not effectively addressed the country's fast-aging and declining population.
The 720,998 babies born in Japan in 2024 was a drop of 5 per cent on the previous year, according to the Health and Welfare Ministry. It was the lowest number of births since Japan started taking the statistics in 1899.
“We believe the declining births has not been effectively controlled,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters, adding the government will steadily pursue expanded childcare programmes and subsidies for childrearing households, while promoting salary increase and support for matchmaking effort.
The result, which includes babies of foreign nationality born in Japan, is 15 years ahead of the forecast for reaching that level. The birth rate for just Japanese nationals is expected to fall below 700,000 for the first time when it is published later this year.
The result comes just as South Korea reported that the number of babies born in that country rebounded for the first time in nine years in 2024, a result partly attributed to an increase in marriages among couples who delayed weddings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Japanese survey Thursday also noted that the number of marriages last year was 499,999, an increase of 2.2 per cent on 2023 when a 90-year low was recorded.
Experts say improving outlook for the economy, jobs and gender equality is key to encourage young people to marry and have children.
Surveys show that many younger Japanese are reluctant to marry or have families, discouraged by bleak job prospects, the high cost of living that rises at a faster pace than salaries and corporate cultures that are not compatible with having both parents work.
Japan's population is projected to fall by about 30 per cent, to 87 million by 2070, when four out of every 10 people will be 65 or older.
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Man beaten to death in Bengaluru over minor argument
Bengaluru (PTI): A 45-year-old mechanic was allegedly beaten to death in front of his children following a quarrel over a trivial issue here, police said on Monday.
The deceased was identified as Rasheed, who worked at a garage in the Wilson Garden area of the city, they said.
Seven people, including the main accused Parvez, have been arrested in connection with the murder that occurred on Sunday evening.
A video of the alleged attack was widely circulated on social media platforms.
According to police, Rasheed and Parvez allegedly argued over some work related to construction. During the altercation, Parvez allegedly hit Ahmed on the leg with a bat. Ahmed fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement, resulting in his death.
"A case has been registered in connection with the incident that occurred under the jurisdiction of Wilson Garden police station. Based on the complaint, statements of the complainant, eyewitness accounts, information from locals and other evidence, police have so far arrested seven accused," a senior police officer said.
Inquiry is on to ascertain the exact motive, but prima facia, it appears that the quarrel escalated over the construction of a concrete roof for the garage shop where he worked, he said.
Asked if it was related to demands for protection money, the officer said, "We have noticed certain claims appearing in some places, but we need time to confirm whether they are true or not. The verification process is ongoing," he said.
