Fewer children entering childcare facilities due to the declining birth rate and fewer children on waiting lists
First written in FY2016. 5 of 20 entries say "Restated". Latest entry: 2026-08-10.
The whole theme swung hardest in 2025: 5 of 7 companies on the "Worse" side.
0 other companies' latest entry also says "Other".
- FY2026-H1Added regional disparities in demandAnnual report
「Regarding the environment surrounding the childcare support business, the number of childcare facility users has remained high against the backdrop of an increase in dual-income households and a rise in the employment rate among women. However, the external environment is changing, with the number of children on waiting lists nationwide as of April 2025 falling by 313 year on year to 2,254, while the number of births nationwide in 2025, according to preliminary figures, continued to decline, falling 2.1% year on year to 705,809. Meanwhile, the number of births in Tokyo, where the Group is concentrating its facility development, according to preliminary figures, turned upward for the first time in 9 years, rising 1.3% year on year to 88,518, highlighting regional disparities in demand.」
States that while the number of children on waiting lists nationwide and the number of births continue to decline, the number of births in Tokyo, a key development area, has turned upward, making regional disparities in demand more apparent. Updates the external environment surrounding the future difficulty of securing children due to the declining birth rate and fewer children on waiting lists, including regional differences. - FY2025WorsenedAnnual report
「The external environment is changing, with the number of children on waiting lists nationwide as of April 2025 falling by 313 year on year to 2,254, and the number of births in 2024 falling by 41,115 year on year to 686,173.」
Disclosed that, in addition to the decline in children on waiting lists, the number of births in 2024 fell to 686,173, and updated the changes in the external environment that may make it difficult to secure children in the future. - FY2024Updated the number of children on waiting lists and the number of births.Annual report
「Meanwhile, as a result of these government measures, the number of children on waiting lists nationwide as of 1 April 2024 fell by 113 year on year to 2,567. In addition, the external environment is changing, with the number of births in 2023 at 727,277, down 43,482 from the previous year, and it may become difficult to secure the expected number of children in the future.」
Updated the number of children on waiting lists nationwide to 2,567 and the number of births in 2023 to 727,277. Describes the decline in children on waiting lists and births as changes in the external environment that may make it difficult to secure children in the future. - FY2024-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「The environment surrounding the childcare support business had seen continued increases in the number of childcare facility users and facilities due to the growing number of dual-income households and the rising employment rate among women. However, the external environment is changing, as the number of children on waiting lists fell by 264 year on year to 2,680 in April 2023, and the number of births in 2022 fell below 800,000 for the first time since statistics began in 1899.」
As in the previous annual report, describes the changing environment for securing children in the future, citing 2,680 children on waiting lists and fewer than 800,000 births. - FY2023Updated the number of children on waiting lists as of April 2023.Annual report
「Meanwhile, as a result of these government measures, the number of children on waiting lists nationwide as of 1 April 2023 fell by 264 year on year to 2,680. In addition, the external environment is changing, with the number of births in 2022 falling below 800,000 for the first time since statistics began in 1899, and it may become difficult to secure the expected number of children in the future.」
Updated the number of children on waiting lists to 2,680, and stated, together with the number of births falling below 800,000, that changes in the external environment are making it difficult to secure children in the future. - FY2023-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「The environment surrounding the childcare support business had seen continued increases in the number of childcare facility users and facilities due to the growing number of dual-income households and the rising employment rate among women. However, the external environment is changing, as the number of children on waiting lists fell by 2,690 year on year to 2,944 in April 2022, and the number of births in 2022 fell below 800,000 for the first time since statistics began in 1899.」
Continues to state that the external environment surrounding the future ability to secure children is changing as the number of children on waiting lists and the number of births decline. - FY2023-Q2WorsenedAnnual report
「The environment surrounding the childcare support business had seen continued increases in the number of childcare facility users and facilities due to the growing number of dual-income households and the rising employment rate among women. However, the external environment is changing, as the number of children on waiting lists fell by 2,690 year on year to 2,944 in April 2022, and the number of births in 2022 fell below 800,000 for the first time since statistics began in 1899.」
The number of children on waiting lists fell to 2,944, and the number of births in 2022 fell below 800,000. Updated the changing external environment surrounding the future difficulty of securing children as waiting lists decline and the declining birth rate progresses. - FY2022Updated the number of children on waiting lists.Annual report
「Meanwhile, as a result of these government measures, the number of children on waiting lists nationwide stood at 2,944 as of 1 April 2022. In addition, the child population continues to decline year after year, and it may become difficult to secure the expected number of children in the future.」
Updated the number of children on waiting lists from 5,634 as of April 2021 to 2,944 as of April 2022, while continuing to state the future difficulty of securing children due to the declining birth rate. - FY2022-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「As a result of these government initiatives, the number of children on waiting lists is declining, but remains above the government's target of zero. Demand for new childcare facilities is expected to continue to some extent as capacity is developed under the New Plan for安心 Childcare.」
Continues to state that although the number of children on waiting lists is declining, it remains above the target of zero, and that demand for new childcare facilities is expected to continue to some extent. - FY2022-Q1Updated the downward trend in children on waiting lists and the outlook for continued demand for new facilities.Annual report
「As a result of these government initiatives, the number of children on waiting lists is declining, but remains above the government's target of zero. Demand for new childcare facilities is expected to continue to some extent as capacity is developed under the New Plan for安心 Childcare.」
States that although the number of children on waiting lists is declining, it remains above the government's target of zero, and that demand for new childcare facilities is expected to continue to some extent against the backdrop of capacity development under the New Plan for安心 Childcare. - FY2021Updated the decline in children on waiting lists and the future difficulty of securing children.Annual report
「Meanwhile, as a result of these government measures, the number of children on waiting lists nationwide fell to 5,634 as of 1 April 2021, marking a decline for the fourth consecutive year. In addition, the child population continues to decline year after year, and it may become difficult to secure the expected number of children in the future.」
While the number of children on waiting lists fell to 5,634 for the fourth consecutive year, continues to state the future difficulty of securing children due to the declining child population. - FY2021-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「In December 2020, the government announced the New Plan for安心 Childcare and set a target of securing new childcare capacity for approximately 140,000 children over the four years from FY2021 through the end of FY2024.」
Continues to state the government's target of securing capacity for approximately 140,000 children by the end of FY2024 as a response to children on waiting lists and the shortage of childcare capacity. - FY2021-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「In December 2020, the government announced the New Plan for安心 Childcare and set a target of securing new childcare capacity for approximately 140,000 children over the four years from FY2021 through the end of FY2024.」
Continues to state the government's target of securing capacity for approximately 140,000 children by the end of FY2024 as a response to children on waiting lists and the shortage of childcare capacity. - FY2021-Q1Updated the plan to develop childcare capacity.Annual report
「In December 2020, the government announced the New Plan for安心 Childcare and set a target of securing new childcare capacity for approximately 140,000 children over the four years from FY2021 through the end of FY2024.」
States the government's new response to children on waiting lists and the shortage of childcare capacity, namely, the target of securing capacity for approximately 140,000 children from FY2021 through the end of FY2024. - FY2020Updated the decline in children on waiting lists and estimates of the shortage of childcare capacity.Annual report
「As a result of these measures to eliminate waiting lists, the number of children on waiting lists nationwide fell to 12,439 as of 1 April 2020, marking a decline for the third consecutive year. However, at the Cabinet Office's Council for Children and Child-rearing held on 5 October 2020, an estimate was presented that childcare capacity for 141,000 children was lacking, among other findings, indicating that there was still no clear prospect of eliminating waiting lists.」
While the number of children on waiting lists nationwide fell from 16,772 to 12,439, states that an estimate showed a shortage of childcare capacity for 141,000 children and that there was still no clear prospect of eliminating waiting lists. - FY2019Updated the decline in children on waiting lists and continued to state the difficulty of securing children in the future.Annual report
「As a result of these measures to eliminate waiting lists, the number of children on waiting lists nationwide fell to 16,772 as of 1 April 2019, marking a decline for the second consecutive year. However, the introduction of free early childhood education and childcare services from October 2019 was expected to increase the number of applicants seeking admission to childcare facilities, and the number of children on waiting lists was expected to remain high for the time being. Meanwhile, the child population continued to decline year after year, and it may become difficult to secure the expected number of children in the future.」
States that the number of children on waiting lists nationwide fell to 16,772, while also noting near-term demand from free childcare services and the future difficulty of securing children as the child population declines. - FY2018Updated the decline in children on waiting lists and the factors expected to affect future enrolment.Annual report
「As a result of these measures to eliminate waiting lists, the number of children on waiting lists nationwide fell to 19,895 as of 1 April 2018, the first decline in four years. However, the introduction of free childcare services from October 2019 may increase the number of applicants seeking admission to childcare facilities, and the number of children on waiting lists is expected to remain high for the time being. Meanwhile, the child population continues to decline year after year, and it may become difficult to secure the expected number of children in the future.」
While the number of children on waiting lists nationwide fell to 19,895, also states the possibility of increased demand due to free childcare services and the future difficulty of securing children as the child population declines. - FY2016First statedAnnual report
「According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's document titled "Summary of Conditions Related to Childcare Facilities, etc. (1 April 2016)," published on 2 September 2016, the number of children on waiting lists nationwide stood at 23,553 as of 1 April 2016, remaining above 20,000 for the eighth consecutive year. However, as a result of the government's proactive initiatives, the declining birth rate and other factors, it may become difficult to secure the expected number of children in the future.」
While indicating that 23,553 children were on waiting lists, states that securing children in the future may become difficult due to government initiatives and the declining birth rate.