People spend money on themselves now
What is the solution? - Money
Hey guys and girls on Ask Japanese, it's Cathy Cat. The birthrate in Japan is declining
quite a lot and this time we went to know from Japanese boys
the young boys on the streets of Tokyo why they think that is.
And what they're gonna do about it. Let's ask Japanese boys.
I will ask you about an issue that's big abroad
and in Japan. Let me remember the word. - Declining birth rates!
Wow how did you guess that? - It would have to be that topic
That's what all countries apart from China struggle with.
I was just trying to get the right word and you knew it. - I can read people
We're wondering why the birthrate in Japan is declining. - Because
it costs money. Kids costs a lot of money
And more adults decide not to have kids. We get more elderly
and less young people. The pressure on the younger people rises
and they have even less time and money
to make kids.
The way you explained it, is like a circle. There are too many elderly
so that puts more pressure on the younger people
and thus they work more, meaning they don't have enough money
and can't spend it on kids. - That's what I think
I think it will get worse from now on.
Things will get tough.
Once we start working, it will be even harder for us.
Getting paternity or maternity leave is harder.
It's hard to keep working with kids.
Working and raising kids - Is really tough
and when they cry all night, you can't sleep
and such - And you have to work the next day
Men and women have to work these days, that's another issue
I think we have many shy and passive men nowadays.
Right? Many boys around me never had a girlfriend
they don't have the desire to get a girlfriend.
Less and less. - So men who don't want a girl? - Yes
People of my age are already working
and they use their money in many areas, and don't have money for that stuff
They are so busy with working or studying and use money only on important things
Some use money on themselves. - From a man's view
what is your image of raising kids? - I love kids
so I wish I could raise them together.
Does everyone want kids?
I want some but... I am not there yet
I don't know yet. - Kids ...
I want them but
I am worried how things will be when I am grown up
I think it will be hard. - One kid might be the limit. - Money
seems to be the issue. I often heard this but in Japan
there is a lot of pressure on Japanese men to work
to bring in enough money for the family. Do you feel that
is a thing. - In Japan more women are working now
I think if I had kids, I would work
and let my wife do all the raising kids stuff by herself.
But I don't think we can afford that so she would have to work too
We get only a few holidays in Japan, so many go abroad to work now
but nothing has changed here for the better. Raising kids here
in Japan is hard.
The company's sallary is too low
to finance and have the chore of raising kids in Japan.
So many opt out of having kids I think.
Women have to work nowadays.
They can work but they HAVE to work for it to be enough
so husband and wife both work and won't have the time to raise kids
that's why less are being made.
They CAN work and HAVE TO work. Does that link to the low salaries?
I think so. - We don't have enough Japanese
people and are asking foreign workers to come right now
I think the parameter is totally off now.
Do you feel this has an impact on your life yet?
When I was a kid, we had 3 classes in my primary years
but now my primary school only has two
and some levels could be put all in one class
half of the kids are lacking.
That's how I saw how much kids are missing.
My primary school had to close. Last year.
Or the year before. The middle school too
there are 7 right now, might get down to 3 soon
all close down. - It's in Chiba
prefecture - That's close to Tokyo
My primary school had to close...
my city doesn't have much money and a lot of debt
and there is no gain of living there, young people leave the town
to go away. I came to university
and left too. - How do you solve this?
What do you think? - Money! Money
Do you mean your prefecture was not using money on childcare?
No they only used it on silly things and got more debt
I think. - There aren't enough facilities. Also links to the
government. There aren't enough kindergartens
I hear that a lot. Even though we have less kids,
we have not enough kindergartens! Why! But everyone says that. There aren't enough
kindergarteners. Parents have to work but can't find anyone to look after the kids
We got more old people and need their caretakers too.
There isn't enough money for the young and
for the elders. And the people who work now
get extra pressure. They need to care for the elder and kids
and they have double pressure AND need to work
So their choice is to not have kids
to cope. I think we need to help the working people
and support them.
So there are not enough facilities for kids? - I think so
What do you want? Do you want kids
or do you not want kids or do you decide it when you get there?
I want kids. They are cute. I think if I didn't have kids
I wouldn't be able to work properly. - Kids will make you work?
They will be cute, so I wanna buy them stuff. - And you?
I want kids. I think raising kids will be my motivation to
try hard in life. But I also want to keep working.
So - Hopefully it will be easier to work and raise kids.
Do you think you could do it now? - Well...
I think it's a question of time.
I think I will work at a really demanding workplace
and if that's the case, it will be hard once the kids go to school.
I think having money will help
I will have to try and work hard to earn more.
School uniforms, books etc will cost. - My school education
costed my parents a lot of money.
I might not be able to give my kids luxury.
I don't have to take them on expensive abroad holidays
But I want to work in a way that it doesn't interfere with child raising
I hope I can.
Why do you think childbirth is decreasing? - If you have kids you loose
your freedom. Many adults think that. - What do you think?
There are many people who don't want to marry. - If there was
a better support network for people who are having kids
it would be easier to have kids in Japan.
I think. - Money is a big issue
if there was more help, there would be more kids. - Personally...
do you want kids or not? - I want kids. - Either way.
You let her choose? - I did not even
have to say what the topic was about and the boys caught onto it.
Very interesting, I didn't give them hints, he just new I found interesting
that it is a topic that is in the hearts and minds of many people here in
Japan right now. The men said they would like to support their family,
but at this point in their lifes they are not sure if they will make enough money to be able to
support their families. In the old days, boys used to
earn a lot more, before that we had the bubble economy and similar things but right now
boys are earning less, girls will have to work and there is the point in their lives when
many people are not sure when they are not sure if they can afford having a child here in Japan
A lot of support - mentioned before by Japanese girls - seems to be going
towards the aging generation right now and it's harder for the younger generation to make do and make it happen.
Let me quickly see one more thing....
But I found it nice and refreshing that boys said they want kids and want help their future wife
raise the children. They want to see the children, that's a big thing right now.
But another thing coming into play right now, is that the men are more passive. We've done a video
about the passive men of Japan,
who will not approach girls or who will think too much and in the end just give up and
we're seeing how boys and girls are like... it's like the scissor
going into different directions. Hopefully we can get that together in the future.
So what is the situation in your country. Is a largely aging population
a problem in your country. What is the problem with birthrate in your country?
Have you thought about this, Have you looked into it, and what do you thin about it?
I hope you enjoyed this video, leave us a like to say thanks for making a video
for us. And I catch you soon for more stuff. Don't forget to tick the notification bell and
see you soon for more on Ask Japanese. Bye.