Baka to Tesuto to Syokanju:Volume10 The Final Question

The Final Question

Please answer the following Question:

Please write down the reasons why Japan is experencing low birth rates.

Kudou Aiko's Answer:

‘According to the report from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, amongst men who are 30 to 40 years old, at the point where they can raise children, one out of four work for more than 60 hours a week. This causes a work cycle where they have no time to properly take care of their children, causing the burden of raising children to be on the mothers. Also, the government has not fully maximized the use of no-pay leave in the childcare system and all sorts of systems where the parents can raise the children and take care of their jobs. Due to the different regions, some children are unable to study in kindergartens. Also, the local cooperation agencies are losing their functionality, and the temporary childcare and local conservation centers and all sorts of children services are not exactly common, so the parents have to raise the children on their own. These are all thought to be reasons for the declining birth rate.’

Tsuchiya Kouta's Comment:

“…Still okay.”

Kudou Aiko's response:

Can’t you just praise me normally? You’re not honest at all.

Kirishima Shouko's Answer:

'Based on the Cabinet Office’s International Comparative Surveys, we can understand that the top reason why the number of young people in Japan is not increasing is because of the worry over the burden of education fees. According to the OECD investigation report, the percentage of GDP the Japanese government use to finance the education sector can be said to be one of the lowest amongst the developed countries. Thus, the education fees of the children have to be paid by the families, and this is the common viewpoint on why there are low birth rates.’

Tsuchiya Kouta's Comment:

…Correct answer. Perfect.

Kirishima Shouko's Response:

…I investigated on all sorts of information regarding children the sake of Yuuji and my future.

Sakamoto Yuuji's Answer:

‘Because of the rising prevalence of getting married later.’

Tsuchiya Kouta's Comment:

…That’s all?

Sakamoto Yuuji's Response:

YOU GUYS ARE THE WEIRD ONES HERE, ALRIGHT!?