We, Japanese, participate in Shichi-Go-San (literally, seven-five-three) celebrations in November. Parents go to shrines with their children to pray they grow up strong and healthy, and the children often wear traditional kimonos. This celebration is for boys who are three or five and girls who are three or seven years of age.
The result of the Japanese census in 2015 was revealed this October. This census was remarkable as the total population decreased for the first time since the first Japanese census in 1920. In particular, the declining population of younger generations was particularly pronounced due to the low overall birthrate. The percentage of the Japanese population under 15 years of age is only 12.6 per cent, which is the lowest in the world and less than half the population aged 65 years and over (26.6 per cent).
The census also revealed that 82.5 per cent of Japanese local governments have declining populations and they are now looking for ways to increase the birthrate in their respective administrative regions. Firstly, they support child birth through the creation of more childcare centres and financial assistance for mothers. Next, they often hold Konkatsu parties where young unmarried men and women gather in the hope of finding their future partner. Konkatsu means “activities for marriage” and they have increased in popularity as people don’t have time to arrange their own meetings due to long working hours, shyness towards potential partners, and in rural areas, where there are fewer young adults, these activities have become especially popular.
This means that children in Japan are not only treasured by their families, but also by the nation as a whole and many regions in Japan.
Katsunori Kamibo
Director
