40% Of Japan Nursery Schools Lack Kids, Staff

At least 40% of nursery schools in urban areas failed to meet their April 2023 enrollment quota, due partly to a shrinking demand for childcare as a result of the declining birth rate, according to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey reported.

Photo Insert: Of the roughly 18,000 nursery schools overseen by 103 local governments, about 6,800 failed to meet their intake quotas in the first round of screenings.

The survey was conducted in February and March on a total of 109 prefectural capitals, government ordinance-designated cities, Tokyo’s 23 wards, and heartland cities. There were 103 valid responses.

The 40% figure relates to the first round of admission screenings for April. In addition to the falling birth rate, the shortfall is believed to be linked to such factors as a dearth of childcare workers and parents’ preferences for certain facilities.

Of the roughly 18,000 nursery schools overseen by 103 local governments, about 6,800 failed to meet their intake quotas in the first round of screenings.

The number of applicants fell 2.3% from last year to a total of 286,400. Some 71 municipalities logged a decrease, with 57 citing a “declining preschool population” in response to a multiple-responses-allowed question.

When asked what the challenges were regarding capacity issues, again, with multiple responses allowed, 43 municipalities said some nurseries were unable to fulfill their capacity due to a lack of childcare workers.

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