TOKYO – In a bold move to combat Japan's declining birthrate, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announced plans to offer free daycare for all preschool children starting next September. This expansion of the existing policy, which currently covers second-born and subsequent children, aims to alleviate the financial burden on families.

Japan, like many developed nations, is grappling with a severe demographic crisis. The country's population has been shrinking for years, and the government has been scrambling to find solutions.

“Japan is facing the crisis of a declining number of children, which isn’t going away,” Koike said. “There is no time to spare” to address the issue.

Tokyo's initiative is the first of its kind at a regional level in Japan. While public daycare is already available to working parents, the national government is also working to expand access to all households.

In addition to the free daycare plan, Koike has also proposed a four-day workweek option for Tokyo government staff as part of a broader effort to encourage parenthood.

Japan's aging population and strict immigration policies have led to severe labor shortages. The country is now one of the oldest in the world, second only to Monaco.

Koike, who was re-elected for a third term in July, has pledged to prioritize social welfare benefits and address challenges like inflation.