Japanese PM Kishida Says The Country Is On The 'Brink' Of Social Dysfunction Over Falling Birthrates

Japan's prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has delivered his first policy speech of 2023. (Reuters: Kim Kyung-Hoon) 

BBC: Japan PM says country on the brink over falling birth rate 

Japan's prime minister says his country is on the brink of not being able to function as a society because of its falling birth rate. 

Fumio Kishida said it was a case of "now or never." Japan - population 125 million - is estimated to have had fewer than 800,000 births last year. In the 1970s, that figure was more than two million. 

Birth rates are slowing in many countries, including Japan's neighbours.  

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WNU Editor: For Japanese PM Kishida, his priorities are the falling birthrate, and national defense .... Kishida prioritizes arms buildup, reversing low birthrate (AP). More here .... Japan's prime minister, Fumio Kishida, says country faces 'most severe and complex security environment' since WWII (ABC News Australia). 

 Japanese PM Kishida Says The Country Is On The 'Brink' Of Social Dysfunction Over Falling Birthrates  

Japan's Kishida vows to raise birthrate -- DW  

Kishida says Japan on 'brink' of social dysfunction as births fall -- Nikkei Asia  

'Now or never' to halt Japan's falling population - PM -- RTE  

‘Now or never’: Kishida says Japan has to act on population drop -- Al Jazeera