Society

More than 60% say raising children in Japan is difficult, survey finds

May 15 (Japan Times) - A total of 61.1% of people in Japan believe it is hard to raise children in the country, according to a recent government survey that highlighted a perception of insufficient support for parenting compared with other nations.

In contrast, overwhelming majorities in Sweden, France and Germany said in the survey conducted by the Cabinet Office that it was easy to raise children in those countries.

While 38.3% of the 2,500 people aged 20 to 49 in Japan said they felt childrearing in the country was easy, figures of 97.1% in Sweden, 82.0% in France and 77.0% in Germany were recorded among the 1,000 respondents in each country.

Asked why they believed giving birth and raising children was easy, the most common answer among people in Japan was that they felt “safe” in their communities.

Meanwhile, many respondents in France and Germany pointed to satisfactory medical services from pregnancy through birth, as well as substantial child care support. Many in Sweden referred to reduced educational expenses.

The percentage of people in Japan who chose similar answers to the respondents in France, Germany and Sweden remained low.

Shibuya Crowds Subdued in Rain Soaked Halloween

Halloween Eve in Shibuya still drew a festive atmosphere, with people gathering in costume and enjoying the night. Tokyo police deployed several hundred officers, including the well-known “DJ police,” to manage the crowds and prevent congestion at the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

Takaichi and Xi Hold 10-Second Handshake

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping stood side by side before the cameras on October 31st at 5 p.m. for a moment that drew intense attention. “Hello, please this way,” said Xi as the two leaders exchanged a handshake lasting roughly 10 seconds in front of their national flags. Takaichi’s expression was stiff at first but softened slightly into a faint smile, while Xi’s face remained largely unchanged.

Record 12 Killed in Bear Attacks Across Japan

Bear attacks are reaching unprecedented levels across Japan, with a record 12 fatalities so far this year as sightings continue daily from mountain towns to city centers, disrupting schools and local institutions.

Japan to Introduce Free High School Education Next Year

The Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and Komeito have reached an agreement on the framework for Japan’s new free high school tuition program, which will begin in fiscal 2026. Under the plan, tuition support for private full-time high schools will be capped at 457,000 yen, while correspondence courses will have an upper limit of 337,000 yen.

Sense of Crisis in World Heritage Shirakawa Village: ‘Never a Year with So Many Bears Before’

Bear sightings have surged across Japan, and in Gifu Prefecture’s Shirakawa Village—home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go—local authorities held a nighttime drill on October 28th to prepare for possible emergencies.

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Miyakojima’s Paantu Festival: Mud-Covered Gods Chase Away Evil Spirits

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Car Crashes Into Dealership in Gunma

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Trump Meets Japan's Emperor for First Time in Six Years

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University Worker Arrested Again for Spraying on Girl's Shorts

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Woman Found Dead Near Rice Field in Akita, Bear Attack Suspected

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