Baby "Cash" Bonus Offered in Japan

Posted by Dexie

With Japan's birthrate plummeting down threatening the growth population, the country has offered cash incentives for families to have more babies. This is exactly what happened to the Nakatsuka family. Softbank, the company where the husband works awarded them $8000 after having another child. Not only that, the company also offered more time off to be with their children. The baby bonuses range from $400 for the first child, to $40,000 for the fifth child.

Other comapnies like Panasonic, Canon and Sharp has also offered financial aids to working mothers. Some even pay expenses garnered from fertility treatments.

Besides that $8000 that the Nakatsuka received, their kids will also get their own cellphones with Softbank paying their phone bills.

WOW! All I could say is, if US follows Japan's incentive programs, I am going to be so mad. Would they pay for a reversal along with the bonus for having another child? Hah. Probably not. I think other countries, including US, are not worried about their population growth, hence, no baby bonuses knocking on every mother's door happening anytime soon. Although, Companies should improve on their maternal leave policies. How about a money incentive for staying longer at home with a newborn? Or an increase of pay to cover daycare expenses? Just a thought.

So, would you have more babies if you'd get a bonus from doing so?

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[ READER COMMENTS ]

1

Harmony said:

I recently read an article in Macleans that says we DO need to worry about the declining number of births in North America (or in Canada at any rate). I will have to dig the article out again - there are some benefits that other countries are providing to families to encourage them to procreate more.
Off the top of my head they include a 2-3 paid parental leave and a leave that entitles grandparents time off too.

Posted at 08:59 AM, on June 8 2007

2

dexie said:

Sounds interesting. The country I was born from, Philippines is in my opinion a country who shouldn't go forth with this kind of incentive. Population is huge over there.

I know other countries have a good pay-system for parental leave. I think Germany is one of them.

Posted at 12:58 PM, on June 8 2007

3

Brianne said:

While I seriously doubt the US will ever follow suit, they really should revamp their maternity leave policies. We are one of the world's worst for supporting new parents - which is really sad, because really and truly, what job is more important?

Posted at 02:27 PM, on June 9 2007

4

dexie said:

Agree Brianne :)

Posted at 09:14 PM, on June 9 2007

Baby "Cash" Bonus Offered in Japan

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