Social media went berserk after multiple news cutouts went viral saying that Japan has come up with an idea of giving 'breeding visas' to fight its population crisis. In early 2024, a report was published that flagged a major concern for Japan as it suggested that Japan's birth rate is seriously falling and hence the country's demographic is rapidly changing. The number of new births fell for an eighth consecutive year in 2023, reaching a record low and representing a 5.1% decline from the previous year, according to preliminary data released this week by the government. Not only this, the report also suggested that Japan is trying to fight falling fertility rate in the country and the rising elderly population. More people are dying than being born each year, causing the population to fall rapidly – with far-reaching consequences for Japan’s workforce, economy, welfare systems, and social fabric.
In the meanwhile, multiple posts on social media went viral with the claims that Japan has now come up with an idea of a 'breeding visa' that can not only solve its young workers shortage but also come up with a solution to improve the fertility rate of the country. To be precise, the viral posts claim that Japan's Breeding Visa will help to solve the shortage of young workers. It was also alleged that the Breeding Visa of Japan has been made in such a way that it encourages foreigners to come to Japan and have children.
However, the viral posts on social media are totally false and misleading. Japan has indeed changed its foreign worker visa rules, however, the primary goal is to address the shortage of workers and not to increase its population. Earlier in April, Japanese news agency Kyodo News reported that Japan has expanded its foreign worker visa program which allows extended stays of up to five years. This aims to address the country’s worker shortage.
The viral Japan breeding visa post first surfaced on April 1, 2024. Japanese website SoraNews 24 reported that Japan is offering breeding visas. However, the claim is not true at all. X also fact-checked the claim. As per X, "The article referred to in this post is an April Fool's joke published by Sora News 24 (the English version of Rocket News 24) on April 1, 2018. It has since been deleted because it was mistakenly believed to be fact and spread. (Translated Version)"