Births Up a Little from January to June
The number of birth rose slightly in the first half. If this trend continues through 2006, Japan's birth rate will increase for the first time in six years. The rate currently stands at 1.25, among the lowest of all industrial nations. The low birth rate has received widespread attention; the government has made some efforts to increase it, mostly without effect. Many Japanese consider the low birth rate one of the nation's biggest problems. The slight increase in births is probably indicative of the better economy, however, and may not be evidence of a turnaround in the long-term trend.