comparative aspects

interesting research. Shift of policy making from a ‘bureaucracy-led’ to a ‘cabinet-dominant’ pattern is observed in variety of policy fields in Japan. Not surprising results, but important contribution. What would be the uniqueness of Japanese 少子化政策　compared to other countries? If you could integrate more comparative aspects, it will be more interesting considering the low fertility in Asian countries.

Assoc. Prof. Tanaka

2021/10/18

Question

Thank you for very interesting poster. What was Japan’s low fertility policies most effective? and How is the low fertility problem perceived by the people and politicians now?

Dongki HONG

2021/10/19

Reply to Tanaka-sensei

Thank you for your kind comment. I fully agree with your opinion that the results of this study should be compared to other countries to become more meaningful. Though I have not deeply investigated other countries' situations, since I am from Taiwan, I might be able to provide a preliminary view from the case of Taiwan. In Taiwan, After Tsai took power in 2016, the 'Office of Countermeasures against Low fertility' established by her government was disbanded after less than a year of operation, but she was still able to secure a second term in 2020. On the other hand, in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, apart from increasing childcare subsidies, the countermeasures to low fertility rarely became the focus of political debate. As a preliminary view, I do not think the low fertility policy is an attractive political tool in Taiwan as it is in Japan, even though Taiwan's fertility rate is lower than Japan's.

Huang Hsinhao

2021/10/21

Reply to Hong-san

Thank you for your questions. According to Japan's 'Outline of Measures to Cope with Society with Declining Birthrate', Japan has devoted the most attention to measures related to 'childcare support' (e.g. increasing the number of daycare centres, etc.) and has mostly met or come close to its targets. But this may not necessarily be linked to as an 'effective' policy. The correlation needs to be interpreted more carefully. In addition, I would say that after the Abe regime, more other policy issues have emerged to attract PM Suga's and then PM Kishida's attention, such as the pandemic and the diplomatic affairs. Also, the general election which is coming at the end of this month would be a good chance to reanalyse the attractiveness of policies in different fields.

Huang Hsinhao

2021/10/22