Go Home Young Man- And Populate!
Japan is experiencing, as we are, a troubled economy. But, they have another problem that we do not. The population in Japan is dropping at an alarming rate. In fact, the population of 128 million may well drop to 100 million by the year 2050. Why? In part, due to a decline in the birth rate, (on the average there are 1.34 children per family), and a high incidence in flu-related deaths. Nearly 22% of Japan's population is 65 years old, or older. 
Twelve hour workdays are common in Japan, and the women complain that the long hours worked by their husbands, inadequate child care, and the high cost of living, are the reasons so many families have opted for no more than one child.
There is a growing concern that the drop in the population will have a worsening effect on the already suffering economy. So, the government has stepped in. Among other things, the government has encouraged Japanese corporations, such as Canon and the country's largest business group, Keidanren, to do their part to aid in assuaging the declining population by letting their employees go home early, at 5:30, two nights a week - they call this their "Birth Planning" program.
I had no idea. Amazing what one can learn about on the web.
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