Japan's PM Says , Population Decline , Poses Urgent Risk to Society.<br />'The Guardian' reports that the government of Japan has <br />pledged to address the country's low birthrate and aging <br />population by establishing a new government agency.<br />While many developed nations are facing declining <br />birthrates, Japan has the world's second <br />highest proportion of people over the age of 65.<br />On January 23, Fumio Kishida, Japan's prime <br />minister, addressed the issue in front of lawmakers <br />at the beginning of a new parliament session.<br />On January 23, Fumio Kishida, Japan's prime <br />minister, addressed the issue in front of lawmakers <br />at the beginning of a new parliament session.<br />The number of births <br />dropped below 800,000 <br />last year, according to estimates, Fumion Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan, via 'The Guardian'.<br />Japan is standing on the verge of whether <br />we can continue to function as a society. <br />Focusing attention on policies regarding <br />children and child-rearing is an issue that<br /> cannot wait and cannot be postponed, Fumion Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan, via 'The Guardian'.<br />Kishida said that the new policies, including the launch <br />of a new children and families agency in April, <br />are meant to ensure the "sustainability" of Japan.<br />We must build a child-first <br />social economy to reverse <br />the [low] birthrate, Fumion Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan, via 'The Guardian'.<br />'The Guardian' reports that Japan's <br />previous efforts to boost the nation's <br />birthrate have had a limited impact.<br />According to experts, government subsidies <br />have done little to address the difficulties<br />that discourage people from starting families.<br />With a population of 125 million, Japan has long <br />struggled with providing for the country's <br />fast-growing number of elderly residents
