Japan's prime minister has warned of a population crisis, saying the country is "on the brink of social dysfunction" due to falling birth rates.
In a message to lawmakers, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said it was a "now or never" situation and that it "simply cannot be delayed any longer."
Kisida said the government wants to double its spending on programs related to children, and a new government agency will be created in April to focus on the issue.
Japan has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, with the Ministry of Health predicting that in 2023 it will register fewer than 800,000 births for the first time in 124 years.
According to government data, the country also has the highest life expectancy in the world. As of 2020, every 1500th citizens in Japan was 100 years old or older.
