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Messages from Keidanren Executives March, 2023 Passing on a prosperous society to the future

Tsuyoshi NAGANO Vice Chair, Keidanren
Chairman of the Board, Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.

The "Children and Family Agency" will be launched in April 2023. Previously, the focus has been more on the measures of how to deal with the aging population. However, now the issue of "children" has finally begun to be prioritized as well. There is no time to wait for the declining population problem, and it is necessary for the entire nation to work on countermeasures against the declining birthrate without any further delay.

The world population, which continues to grow, will eventually reach its peak. Japan has faced a declining population earlier than others and presenting a solution to this problem may lead to contributions to the world in the future. I would like to view this issue of the declining population positively — as an opportunity for change — rather than viewing negatively.

The clues to resolve the declining population are the adjustment of the overconcentration in Tokyo, and the improvement of the income level and work style reform of the child-raising generation.

Rural areas have an environment that is easier to live in and raise children, and "three-generation residence" and connections between people in the area are also reflected as a higher birth rate than in Tokyo. In order to realize such potential, it is necessary to create communities filled with happiness, with an attractive culture which will fascinate more young people. The business community also plays a role in creating sustainable industries that make use of the strengths and individuality of each region to create a foundation where young people can enjoy their peaceful lives into their future.

In addition, the younger generation has begun to take it for granted that men and women should be equal in jobs, housework and childcare. Companies shall respond promptly to changes in the lifestyles and ways of living of future generations, create an environment that will contribute to the realization of new work styles, and improve treatment of especially young generation, such as higher distribution of wages and allowance so that households raising children can ease their lives.

Children are our future and hope. As a part of the business community, I would like to take the initiative of supporting the people who will develop the economy and society of the future, and to play a role in resolving Japan's biggest problem: the population issue.

We need to build a society that is not only easy to work in, but also in which people want to continue working. A society that is not only easy to raise children, but also wants to raise children. We, the current working generation, must positively envision a future with dreams, build a society in which diverse individuals can exercise their independence, and pass on our land full of rich culture and nature to the next generation.

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