My Longkang

Statistics show that the number of children in Japan are at a record low and are expected to continue falling. As of 1 April, there were 17.38 million children aged 14 or below in the country - down 140,000 from last year.It has been on the decline for 26 years.

This poses problems to the country where a small number of productive citizens has to support the large number of elderly citizens. Life span has lengthened due to better medical facilities and a more health conscious population.

Correspondents say the current trend is caused by women marrying later in life and having fewer children. When you transplant this article to Malaysia, you will see there is also some parallel. More women are delaying marriage plans in favour of a higher education and career advancement. Families are getting smaller and starting later. In consequence, the number of children are limited.

Living in condominiums does not augur well for large families. Increased living costs and education makes it a necessity to practice birth control. This phenomenon affects the different communities in varying degrees. One fine day, the demographics of the nation will noticeably be different and the whole political equation landscape will forever be changed.

Just as a thought to female readers: Do not wait. A Buddhist monk once quipped to me or at least I think he was just jesting : Bengbeng, somewhere out there is a soul waiting to be reincarnated. The child is waiting to be born. It is the child’s destiny. Let it happen. Be a good parent. The reincarnation cycle must go on.