according to government data released on Wednesday. The health ministry reported that 686,061 babies were born in Japan in 2024 — a 5.7% decrease from the previous year — marking the first time the figure has fallen below 700,000 since records began in 1899. This is the 16th consecutive year of decline. The current birth rate is roughly one-quarter of the postwar baby boom peak of 2.7 million births in 1949. The figures reflect growing concerns about the sustainability of Japan’s economy and national security in a country with a rapidly aging and shrinking population — especially as the government looks to ramp up defense spending. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has called the trend “a silent emergency” and pledged to introduce more flexible work environments and other policies aimed at helping married couples balance work and family life. This is particularly urgent in rural areas, where traditional family values often place a heavier burden on women. (CNN)