Factors for Regional Variation in Japanese Fertility

How do people decide whether to raise children? This research examines the factors inherent in the very existence of the family: what explains family formation decisions? In particular, I seek to explain the considerable regional differences that exist in family formation, within the context of the falling birth rate in Japan. I analyze the influence of various contributory factors such as the differential economic costs, that is, the variance in the actual costs of raising child and also in the economic benefits available. I will also examine the factors which cannot be simply attributed to the economic costs and benefits, such as regional pressure of conventions -- the factor of what is taken for granted on family formation -- how such reinforcement systems vary regionally, and how such conventions are reinforced.  I mainly analyze data gathered by the cabinet office: Research on Child-rearing Environment in Urban and Rural Areas.