【Research Report】Study on Regional Disparities in Child-Rearing Environments and Attitudes Toward Government Support 2024
Summary
64.7% are satisfied with the child-rearing environment in their current area of residence. The top elements of satisfaction, in order, are "public safety," "natural environment and parks," and "subsidies and grants provided by local governments."
Nevertheless, 80.8% answered that there are regional disparities in the child-rearing environment. The elements where regional disparities are felt to be greater, in order, are "whether child-rearing related facilities and equipment are well-developed," "whether child-rearing related subsidies and grants are substantial," and "whether children can gain diverse experiences outside of school and daycare."
44.1% had experience moving due to childbirth or childcare. The top concerns and dissatisfactions with their previous area of residence before moving were, in order, "subsidies and grants provided by local governments," "convenience of transportation and shopping," "work-life balance support measures provided by local governments," and "cost of living."
53.9% of households use the Hometown Tax. However, 60.8% do not know how the donations collected by their area of residence through the Hometown Tax are being utilized in administrative measures. Additionally, 73.2% think that they want their local government to use more of the Hometown Tax donations for education-related policies. Specifically, the most common desire is for the donations to be used for "enhancing child-rearing related facilities and equipment."
When making Hometown Tax donations, the top choices for how the donations should be used by the recipient local governments are, in order, "education and child-rearing," "medical care, welfare, and nursing care," and "earthquake disaster reconstruction."
Regarding the "Children and Families Agency," which marks its first year since establishment, 32.2% answered that they "feel a change in the child-rearing environment and education since the agency's establishment," while 62.6% "do not feel a change." Additionally, 21.4% answered that they "know about the policies promoted by the agency," while 42.4% "do not know but want to know."
The top issues and problems that people want the government to focus on in terms of tax allocation in preparation for when the current generation of children becomes adults are, in order, "the aging population and low birthrate problem," "medical care, nursing care, and pension issues," "educational challenges," and "labor and wage issues."
The detailed report in Japanese is available.
◆Research target ：
1,063 aged 20 over living in Japan, who have children in elementary school or younger
◆Research period ： April 3-4, 2024
◆Research method： Internet research