to 15 from 12, plus a dog.

limiting families to two children in an effort to stem falling birth rates.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’s measures have not addressed a growing number of young people reluctant to marry, largely focusing on already married couples.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 burdens for women and working mothers, experts say.A growing number of women also cite pressure to take their husband’s

as a reason for their reluctance to marry. Under Japanese law, couples must choose a single surname to marry.Japan’s population of about 124 million people is projected to fall to 87 million by 2070, with 40% of the population over 65.

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) —

signed an agreement with Chile on Wednesday to deploy an undersea fiber optic cable connecting South America with Asia and Oceania, a first-of-its-kind project that aims to cement the South American country’s status as a major digital hub.“It’s hard because every day I have to think about my family, if everything is going to be all right,” he said.

It took him three tries to win a scholarship to study in the U.S. Having that cut short because of visa problems would undermine the sacrifice he made to be here. He sometimes feels guilty that he isn’t at home fighting for his country, but he knows there’s value in gaining an education in America.“I decided to stay here just because of how good the college education is,” he said. “If it was not good, I probably would be on the front lines.”

AP Education Writer Collin Binkley contributed to this report.The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s