Japan's birth rate is falling to a serious level. The birth rate in Tokyo in 2023, announced on the 5th, was 0.99, the first in the nation to fall below 1. The national birth rate also hit a record low of 1.20, making the low birth rate problem even more serious.

A woman in her 30s in Tokyo said, "I'm worried. As fewer and fewer young people are around, and fewer people to work, how will society run?" A man in his 60s said, "We are struggling to get by ourselves, and I think having children is irresponsible."

Experts point out that the birth rate needs to be at least 2.07 to maintain the population, warning that solving the low birth rate problem is no longer a matter that can be put off.

In this situation, the town of Nagi, Okayama Prefecture, is attracting attention as a successful case of overcoming the low birth rate problem.

Nagi is a mountainous town with a population of 5,560, blessed with abundant nature. This town has achieved a birth rate close to twice the national average through its own efforts and is known as a "miracle town."

What is the secret of Nagi?

The key is to create an environment where it is easy to raise children.

Nagi has been implementing a variety of support policies centered around the "kindergarten" that opened in April.

211 children from the age of 0 to 5 years old use this kindergarten, and childcare fees for children under 3 years old are differentiated according to income, but are half the national standard. From the age of 3 to 5, it is free, and if desired, a "diaper subscription service" is also provided where diapers can be used unlimitedly.

Nagi is making every effort to reduce the burden of raising children.

Nagi's "total special birth rate" once soared to 2.95, and it is still maintaining a high level of 2.21.

Nagi pays 15,000 yen per month to those who raise their children at home instead of entrusting them to a kindergarten. In addition to this, they are also supporting parents with 100,000 yen in childbirth congratulations money, high school education support, free medical services, and other continuous economic support.

The beginning of Nagi's efforts to overcome the low birth rate goes back 22 years, to the time when the town faced a "disappearance" crisis as the story of a "merger" with another municipality emerged.

At that time, Nagi drastically reduced the number of staff and council members, and implemented a drastic cost reduction by reviewing and streamlining public works, and increased the budget for raising children.

A resident of Nagi in his 70s said, "It's not bad for the population to increase. I wish it would regain its vibrancy and become like it used to be."

Nagi's high birth rate is the result of efforts by all generations to raise children together.

Takahito Inoue of Nagi's Information Planning Division said, "If young people stay in the town, important infrastructure for local life, such as stores and hospitals, will be maintained. Support for raising children is necessary not only for children but also for elderly people."

Nagi's success story in overcoming the low birth rate problem has significant implications for Japanese society, and is worth referring to in other regions.