Lower House passes bill to address declining birth rates

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Friday aimed at addressing Japan’s declining birthrate, a pressing issue that has been a concern for the country’s future population growth. The bill, which received support mainly from the ruling bloc, is set to be enacted during the current Diet session after further deliberations at the House of Councilors.

The key provisions of the bill include expanding child-rearing allowances and introducing a new fee system on top of public medical insurance premiums to secure funds for measures to combat the low birthrate. The government plans to start collecting the fees in fiscal 2026, with the goal of securing ¥1 trillion annually by fiscal 2028.

According to estimates by the Children and Families Agency, the average monthly fees are projected to be ¥450 per insurance policy holder in fiscal 2028, with variations based on the type of insurance program and annual income. For example, members of health insurance programs for workers of large companies may pay an average of ¥850 per month, while those in the kyōsai programs for public servants may pay ¥950.

Additionally, the bill aims to eliminate income caps for child-rearing allowances starting in October this year. The benefits will also be expanded to cover children up to high school age, with a doubling of the monthly allowance for the third child and beyond.

These measures are part of a comprehensive effort to address the country’s declining birthrate and support families in raising children, ultimately aiming to secure a brighter future for Japan’s population.