EVAU-type exercise: Japan's solution to the dire birth rate

 

Japan’s solution to the dire birth rate (scroll down for the answers)

Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has warned that the country’s low birthrate and ageing population are placing the nation “on the edge of not being able to function as a society.”

Despite previous efforts, such as financial support for pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing, birthrates have continued to fall. Many young people say they feel economically insecure and cannot afford to start families due to high living costs and unstable jobs.

Kishida has promised to create a new agency focused on children and families, but critics argue that current policies do not tackle the deeper problems. These include long working hours, a lack of affordable childcare, and a work culture that discourages work-life balance.

Today, people over the age of 65 make up more than 28% of Japan’s population, and the number continues to grow. Without effective change, Japan faces a future where there are too few young people to support its economy or care for the elderly.

Adapted from the Guardian, January 2023

A. Answer the questions in your own words (20–30 words each)

1. Why are many young Japanese people not starting families?
2. What are some of the deeper problems that current policies fail to address?

B. Are these statements True or False? Justify your answers with words from the text.

3. The Japanese Prime Minister believes the ageing population is not a serious problem.
4. The government has already tried to solve the birthrate issue.
5. More than 28% of Japan’s population is over 65.

C. Vocabulary (Find a synonym for each of the four words below: choose from these words) 

help    precarious    unsafe  actual   present-day   shortage   processing

6 support   7 unstable   8 current   9 lack

 

 D. Multiple Choice: Choose the correct answer (A, B, C, or D)

10. What does the Prime Minister plan to do to help with the crisis?
    A) Reduce pensions for older people
    B) Ban long working hours
    C) Create an agency for children and families
    D) Increase the retirement age
    
11. According to the text, what is one reason the birthrate remains low?
    A) Young people prefer to travel
    B) Parents have too much free time
    C) There is not enough support for work-life balance
    D) The education system is too strict
12. What does the article say about Japan’s future?
    A) It will become richer
    B) It may struggle due to a small working population
    C) The birthrate will naturally increase
    D) The elderly population is expected to shrink

Writing (130–150 words)

Topic:
Many countries are experiencing falling birthrates. What are the possible causes and how can governments encourage young people to have children?

Write an organised composition with clear arguments and examples.

 

 

                                  Children and Dogs, Graham Parker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. Answer the questions in your own words

1. Why are many young Japanese people not starting families?
Many young people don’t feel financially secure. They struggle with high living costs and unstable jobs, making it difficult to afford having children.

2. What are some of the deeper problems that current policies fail to address?
Policies don’t fix long working hours, expensive childcare, or a culture that doesn’t support balancing work and family life.

B. True or False

3. The Japanese Prime Minister believes the ageing population is not a serious problem.
False
 “…placing the nation ‘on the edge of not being able to function as a society.’”

4. The government has already tried to solve the birthrate issue.                                        True
“Despite previous efforts, such as financial support for pregnancy, childbirth…”

5. More than 28% of Japan’s population is over 65.
 True
“People over the age of 65 make up more than 28% of Japan’s population…”

C. Synonyms

6 support  help

7 unstable  precarious

8 current  present-day

9 lack shortage

D. Multiple Choice

10. What does the Prime Minister plan to do to help with the crisis?
 C) Create an agency for children and families

11. According to the text, what is one reason the birthrate remains low?
C) There is not enough support for work-life balance

12. What does the article say about Japan’s future?
B) It may struggle due to a small working population

 

Many countries are experiencing falling birthrates. What are the possible causes and how can governments encourage young people to have children?

Tackling Low Birthrates in Modern Societies

In many developed countries, birthrates are falling, and this trend could lead to serious social and economic problems. There are several reasons why young people choose not to have children today. One of the main causes is financial insecurity. Many young adults struggle to find stable jobs or affordable housing. In addition, childcare costs are often very high.

Another important factor is the lack of work-life balance. In countries with long working hours and little support for parents, people may delay or avoid starting a family. Cultural expectations also play a role; some people feel pressure to succeed in their careers before considering children.

To help solve this problem, governments should offer better financial support, flexible working hours, and more accessible childcare. Creating a family-friendly society is key to encouraging young people to have children and helping future generations thrive.  143 words