Japan birth-rate debate erupts after extreme proposal
NDTV reports that Naoki Hyakuta, a prominent figure in Japan’s far-right Conservative Party, publicly apologized after suggesting that women’s wombs could be removed. The remarks ignited widespread media coverage and sparked intense discussion about gender, family policy, and the direction of conservative politics in Japan. Supporters saw the apology as a sign of accountability, while critics warned that the comments threatened reproductive rights and basic democratic norms. In the days that followed, Hyakuta framed his remarks as a provocative attempt to provoke discussion and draw attention to a serious demographic challenge facing the country.
In November, a YouTube video circulated in which Hyakuta outlined a set of extreme measures aimed at reversing Japan’s shrinking birth rate. He proposed that women should be barred from marrying after age 25, that girls should be prohibited from pursuing university education at 18, and that anyone over 30 should undergo a hysterectomy. He argued these steps would push families to have more children and slow the demographic decline. The proposals immediately drew condemnation, with many labeling them misogynistic and dystopian, alarming advocates of reproductive freedom and equal opportunity.
The reaction from lawmakers, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens was swift and sharp. Critics argued that the suggestions would strip women of autonomy, threaten health and rights, and echo a dangerous trend toward coercive social engineering. Hyakuta later apologized, insisting his aim was to trigger debate and bring the issue into sharper focus rather than to prescribe policy. Some observers noted that the episode exposed sensationalist tendencies in public discourse around demographic policy and gender issues.
On a broader note, the controversy echoes past debates in different countries where demographic concerns have been linked with aggressive rhetoric. Observers note that Italy has previously used the phrase shock therapy to describe drastic measures to boost birth rates. The episode underscores the tension between addressing population trends and protecting individual rights. It also highlights how provocative proposals can derail constructive dialogue about family policy, workforce participation, and long-term social stability in Japan and beyond.