UCA News
Contribute

Japan bets on married couples

Government subsidy scheme for couples in wedlock aims to arrest declining birth rate
Japan bets on married couples

Japanese couples are being offered a financial incentive to get married. (Photo: YouTube)

Published: September 29, 2020 09:54 AM GMT
Updated: September 29, 2020 09:55 AM GMT

All it took was a simple realization: married couples have more babies. If we only take into consideration wedded pairs, Japan wouldn't even know what a demographic crisis looks like — that which in truth has been decimating the country’s workforce for at least the past two decades.

The reshuffled government led by new Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga appears to have drawn from the above statistic an obvious conclusion: the more people decide to take the solemn oath, the better the chance of saving Japan from economic — not just demographic — collapse.

This is the rationale at the root of the recent decision to subsidize young couples who decide to swear everlasting faithfulness with a US$6,000 public “dowry.”

There are obviously conditions attached to that small treasure. Both husband and wife must arrive at marriage at less than 40 and have a total income of less than 5.4 million yen ($54,000).

Click here to read the full article

 

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia