again late last month after pressure from allies and

The data in a country of rapidly aging andadds to concern about the sustainability of the economy and national security at a time it seeks to increase defense spending.

has described the situation as “a silent emergency” and has promised to promote more flexible working environment and other measures that would help married couples to balance work and parenting, especially in rural areas where family values tend to be more conservative and harder on women.The Health Ministry’s latest data showed that Japan’s fertility rate — the average number of babies a woman is expected to have in her lifetime — also fell to a new low of 1.15 in 2024, from 1.2 a year earlier. The number of marriage was slightly up, to 485,063 couples, but the downtrend since the 1970s remains unchanged.Experts say the government measures have not addressed a growing number of young people reluctant to marry, while focusing largely on couples already married and plan to have or already had children.

The younger generation are increasingly reluctant to marry or have children due to bleak job prospects, a high cost of living and a gender-biased corporate culture that adds extra burden only on women and working mothers, experts say.A growing number of women also cite pressure to change their

to that of their husband as part of their reluctance to marry. Under a civil law, couples must choose either surname to legally marry, a rule traditionally has caused women to abandon their maiden names.

Japan’s population of about 124 million people is projected to fall to 87 million by 2070, by when 40% of the population will be over 65.Instead, Reebok struggled to find its footing, gradually losing its identity in both sports and style.

“Now it’s time for us to get Reebok back to prominence,” said O’Neal, who played a key role in Reebok’s acquisition in 2021 by Authentic Brands Group, where he is a shareholder. “There’s all these competitive brands, which is fine. It makes the job harder. But for me, it’s all about motivation and trying to build.”“Power Moves” dives into Reebok’s strategy for staying relevant, including signing rising stars like WNBA phenom

to the brand’s first name, image and likeness (NIL) deal. The series also shows how O’Neal leans on a surprising source for insight into today’s athletes through his son, Shareef.Shaq was initially set on creating high-top sneakers, until a visit to a massive Amateur Athletic Union tournament — with nearly 70 courts — sparked a shift. Shareef pulled his dad aside and explained that low tops are the go-to for this generation. It was a lightbulb moment that helped Shaq better understand and connect with modern players.