JAPAN HAS FEWER CHILDREN
Japan has fewer children age 14 or younger now than at any time since 1908. 70% of its workforce will be lost by 2050. The Washington Post called the situation "a slow-motion demo-graphic catastrophe without precedent." Population Research Institute cites two reasons for the "impending demographic crisis." First, religious faith in Japan is anemic; they don’t think of children as blessings from God. Second, it’s a highly urbanized society; and living in crowded, tiny urban apartments is simply not family-friendly. In contrast, the ’06 U.S. birthrate hit a 45-year high.
(CitizenLink.com 5/6/08)