Japan's Birth Rate Hits Record Low of 1.20: Naki-cho, the 'Miracle Town', Offers Insights into Overcoming Low Fertility

Amidst Japan's declining birthrate reaching a critical level, Tokyo's birthrate for 2023 was announced as 0.99 on the 5th, marking the first time any prefecture in the country has fallen below 1. The nationwide birthrate also hit a record low of 1.20, exacerbating the already severe issue of declining births.

A woman in her 30s in Tokyo expressed her anxiety, saying, “It's unsettling. With fewer and fewer young people, and fewer people to work, how will society function?” Meanwhile, a 60-year-old man stated, “We're struggling to make ends meet ourselves. Having children feels irresponsible.”

Experts point out that maintaining the population requires a birthrate of at least 2.07, warning that addressing the low birthrate issue can no longer be postponed.

In this context, Okayama Prefecture's Nagi-cho is garnering attention as a successful case study in overcoming the low birthrate issue.

Nagi-cho is a mountainous village with abundant nature and a population of 5,560. Through its own unique efforts, the village has achieved a birthrate nearly double the national average, earning it the title of “Miracle Village”.

What is the secret behind Nagi-cho's success?

The core lies in creating an environment conducive to raising children.

Nagi-cho has implemented various support policies centered around the "Children's Center" which opened in April.

211 children aged 0 to 5 utilize this Children's Center. Childcare fees for children under 3 vary based on income but are around half the national standard. For children aged 3 to 5, childcare is free, and a “diaper subscription service” is also available for those who wish to utilize it, providing unlimited diaper access.

In this way, Nagi-cho is making every effort to reduce the burden of raising children.

Nagi-cho's "total fertility rate" once soared to 2.95 and remains high at 2.21 recently.

For those who choose to raise their children at home rather than entrusting them to the Children's Center, Nagi-cho provides a monthly allowance of 15,000 yen per child. In addition to this, they offer a 100,000 yen birth congratulatory gift, high school student academic support, free medical services, and other continuous financial support to assist parents.

The origins of Nagi-cho's efforts to overcome the low birthrate can be traced back 22 years ago, to a time when discussions of "merger" with other municipalities arose, putting the town at risk of "extinction".

At that time, Nagi-cho reduced its staff and council members, implemented a drastic cost-cutting initiative through reviewing and streamlining public works, and increased its budget for child-rearing support.

A resident of Nagi-cho in his 70s remarked, “It's not a bad thing for the population to increase. I hope the town will regain its vitality and return to how it used to be.”

The high birthrate in Nagi-cho is the outcome of efforts by all generations to raise children together.

Takahiro Inoue of Nagi-cho's Information and Planning Division emphasizes, “If young people stay in the village, the essential infrastructure for local life, such as stores and hospitals, will be maintained. Supporting child-rearing is necessary not only for the children but also for the elderly.”

Nagi-cho's success in overcoming the low birthrate has significant implications for Japanese society and offers valuable lessons for other regions to learn from.