Japan targets boosting birth rate to increase growth
Japan plans to include steps to raise the birth rate, such easier access to childcare and tax incentives, in a package of reforms due this month to tackle the biggest bottleneck to economic growth. Japan's population began declining four years ago after several years of warnings that the birth rate was too low, prompting some economists to applaud Prime Minister Shinzo Abe&039;s decision to put the issue on the agenda. "I want to confront the demographic problem head on and place particular emphasis on policies that will contribute to raising the birth rate," Abe said on Thursday after a cabinet meeting.
