What cultural factor negatively impacts Japan's birth rate?

The stigma against men taking paternity leave is a significant cultural factor that negatively impacts Japan's birth rate. In Japanese society, traditional gender roles are deeply ingrained, which can discourage men from taking time off work to support their partners after the birth of a child. This stigma contributes to a lack of involvement from fathers in childcare, as societal expectations often place the responsibility of child-rearing primarily on women.

When men are reluctant to take paternity leave, it can lead to increased pressure on women to manage both work and family responsibilities. This heavy burden can deter couples from having more children, as the challenges of balancing career and family life become more daunting without shared parental support. As a result, this cultural norm contributes to the continued decline in Japan's birth rate, as couples may choose to delay or avoid having children altogether.

In contrast, encouragement to take parental leave, support for work-life balance, and high levels of female empowerment are factors that typically promote higher birth rates by allowing for better family support and encouraging both parents to share childcare responsibilities.