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Values and fertility change in Japan.
R D Retherford1, N Ogawa, S Sakamoto
1Program on Population, East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
Population Studies
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Japanese fertility decline since 1973 is mainly due to rapid economic and social shifts. Value changes, influenced by women's advancements, lag but eventually drive further fertility reduction.
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Sociology
- Japanese Studies
Background:
- Analysis of fertility trends in Japan from 1950 onwards.
- Focus on the period since 1973 when fertility resumed its decline after a plateau.
Observation:
- Fertility decline post-1973 primarily driven by economic and social transformations.
- Value change in Japan lags behind fertility shifts compared to other developed nations.
Findings:
- Rapid evolution of economic and social conditions in Japan accelerates value adjustment time.
- Cultural homogeneity facilitates rapid and widespread value sharing, leading to value change spurts.
- Significant value shifts impacting fertility are linked to women's educational and career advancements, promoting independence and gender equality.
Implications:
- Understanding the interplay between societal changes, values, and fertility is crucial for demographic projections.
- Policy interventions may need to consider the pace of value adjustment in response to socio-economic shifts.
- The findings offer insights into demographic dynamics in culturally homogeneous, rapidly developing societies.