Japan’s $25 Billion Birthrate Steps Seen Struggling to Move Dial
- Experts say PM Kishida’s package will have limited impact
- Polls show support for bigger handouts even if they don’t work
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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s $25 billion package of measures to boost the birthrate of the country’s shrinking population is unlikely to be the game changer he has called for or a big vote winner should he call an early election.
The premier’s package promises spending levels per child on par with the support offered by Sweden. But experts warn his plan doesn’t tackle the structural flaws that place a heavy burden on women for raising children and lead many to put off the idea of starting a family.