Japan and France are both famous for top countries for longevity, and have serious problem about a dwindling number of children, so they have something in common. However, there are some differences between them especially when it comes to what governments deal with declining birth rates and the way of thinking for having children. This report will compare and contrast the some systems when it comes to this point.
During the period of 1994 to 2014, Japanese birth rate decreased from 1.50 to 1.41, while French one suddenly increased from 1.65 to 2.01. Why do French women have more babies in a decade? And why Japanese women are unwilling to have more babies? The difference is might related by systems of childcare leave. France government gives people excellent childcare allowance and facilities. For example, if French women want to have more two children, company should give them for up to three years paid holidays. And also, when women return to work, company should let them back at office as the same position and pay as the same salary as before taking holiday. So French women can concentrate on raising their children. However, Japanese companies do not have duty to pay salary while taking childcare leave. In addition, there is difference of childcare facilities between them. Japan has a problem about children on day-care waiting list. However, in France, nearly 100 percent children over 3 years old enter kindergarten (called 'école maternelle'), in other words, France do not have a problem about children on day-care waiting list. I think this system is very excellent and every countries should do that. And more, in France, parents can leave their children to kindergarten until 7 o'clock, while in Japan, parents can leave them until 3 o'clock. So many Japanese women are unwilling to have more children.
Second reason why French birth rate is higher than Japanese is that French men are willing to help for taking care children and housework.
