Founded in 1939 as the Institute of Population Problems, the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research (IPPS) was one of the first organizations in the world to consider population related issues.

On 17th January 2006, the 10th IPPS Annual Seminar was held on the subject of "Population decrease under the lowest-low fertility." Around 340 selected guests, including researchers, economists, and members of the media took part.

The seminar was considered especially timely as in December 2005 the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced that for the first time since records began in 1899 the population of Japan had shown an annual decline. This event is a milestone in Japan and has implications for all sectors of society.

In a keynote presentation, Shigesato Takahashi, Deputy Director-General, IPPS, said that Japan was facing a unique population phenomenon of the lowest-low fertility, an aging society, and population decrease all at the same time.

In asking the audience to consider the reasons behind this, Takahashi pointed out that in 1973, the peak of the second Japanese Baby Boom, TFR was 2.14 and there were 2.09 million births. Just one year later, he said, TFR had dropped to below replacement levels at 2.05 and there were 2.05 million births. This was the start of the fertility decline in Japan.

Over thirty years later, Japanese society and management structures are still geared toward a growing population with a growing economy. This, Takahashi said, was not the reality, therefore drastic changes must be made in social and economic systems to benefit all areas of life, including the welfare system.

Support for women

Takahashi explained that in many European countries, for example, policies were being implemented to assist working women in having birth and in looking after their families.

He contrasted this with Japan, giving the following reasons:

Cost of child bearing is high

Limited government welfare

Limited gender equality

Unsupportive work environment, etc

He went on to say that Japan could learn from these countries and implement policies that really supported women to have children since children were "the foundation of society."