June 10, 2007
In Japan, mobile phones, cash offered to become a parent
The Japanese, both the government and the corporate sector, are going out of their way to boost Japan’s declining birth-rate, offering cash, free services and electronics to encourage people to have children. Reuters reports.
"Employers are offering workers a number of ‘baby bonuses’ as incentives for to-be parents as Japan is facing a dilemma with birth-rates going lower and lower. Japan is faced today with a rapidly aging and now shrinking population.
Big name businesses such as Canon, Sharp and Panasonic are already handing out financial aid for working mothers and cover costs for fertility treatments.
Telecom firm Softbank is not only doing that, but offering big bonuses and free mobiles phones (calls costs included), among other electronics, as it lures employees by saying it’s the most family-friendly company around.
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