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Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a newborn
    • ex. The newborn was very small and quiet.
  2. annual
    • ex. The school has an annual sports day every spring.
  3. shrink
    • ex. My new sweater might shrink if I wash it in hot water.
  4. sustainability
    • ex. We need to think about sustainability when we use natural resources.
  5. reluctant
    • ex. He was reluctant to leave the warm bed on the cold morning.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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The number of newborns in Japan is decreasing faster than expected, with annual births falling to the lowest record last year. The Health Ministry said 686,061 babies were born in Japan in 2024, a drop of 5.7% from the previous year. It’s also the first time the number of newborns fell below 700,000 since records began in 1899.

The data in a country with a rapidly aging and shrinking population adds to concern about the sustainability of the economy. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described the situation as “a silent emergency.” He has promised to promote a more flexible working environment and other measures to help married couples balance work and parenting.

Experts say the government’s measures have not addressed a growing number of young people reluctant to marry. The measures focus largely on already married couples. The younger generation is increasingly reluctant to marry or have children due to very few job opportunities, high cost of living, and extra burdens for women and working mothers, experts say.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Falling Annual Births

  • The number of newborns in Japan is decreasing faster than expected. How does this information make you feel? Discuss.
  • Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described the situation as “a silent emergency.” What do you think this means? Discuss.
  • Imagine that this situation is also happening in many other countries. What do you think will happen to the future generation? Discuss.

The Younger Generation

  • A growing number of young people are reluctant to marry. Why do you think this is the case? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, which of these is the most common reason people are reluctant to marry: very few job opportunities, high cost of living, or extra burdens for women and working mothers? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, what can the government do to encourage the younger generation to marry and have children (ex. provide free education for children, decrease the taxes of married people)? Discuss.