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JAPAN'S BIRTH RATE REACHES RECORD LOW; 'CHRISTMAS CAKES' A THING OF THE PAST

The average fertility rate in Japan fell to 1.32 this year, the second straight year-on-year decline. Nearly 17,000 fewer infants were born in 2002, a greater drop than expected by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, whose minions will be hard put to increase their bonuses. Average age of first marriages for women is also up, at 27.4 years. Gone are the days when a woman was over the hill at 25, marriage-wise (back in the sexually oppressive days they used to call such women 'Christmas cakes' (after the 25th they're unmarketable). You go, girl!!). Fading too are the days when one might expect such lifelong things as pension, health care. The few young grownups around in 2025 won't cover it for all the elders. Details and varied discussion here.