INTERVIEW: Kikawada Vows to Utilize Companies to Support Child Rearing

Tokyo, Nov. 18 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government will utilize the vigor of companies to support child rearing at households, Hitoshi Kikawada, minister for policies related to children, regional revitalization, women’s empowerment and gender equality, said in an interview Monday. Kikawada said that he will work to prevent children from committing suicide. The government will encourage companies to move out of Tokyo and will enhance higher education in rural areas to tackle the overconcentration of people in the capital, he said. He pointed to the need to maintain and rebuild local transportation networks, calling them “the basis to protect lives and safety in rural areas.” The government will craft a new plan for promoting gender equality under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the first female leader in the country’s history, Kikawada said. The plan will “mark the beginning of Japan’s economic development by enabling women to take on more active roles,” he said. Kikawada said central government agencies, local governments and businesses should promote the use of maiden names so that fewer people will feel that there would be inconveniences and disadvantages if they change their surname when marrying. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]