# 2 Creating an Environment that Supports Child-rearing Under an Low Birthrate Society

(1) Supporting the Balance of Work and Child-rearing

(i) Supporting the Supply of Housing Suitable for Child-rearing Households

In order to secure housing and living environments suitable for child-rearing households, a relocation system that allows comparatively spacious housing owned by those such as the elderly to be provided as rental housing to those such as child-rearing households and for this the Japan Trans-housing Institute’s (General Incorporated Association) owned home leasing program is being promoted. Also, support is provided through local government for the development and reduced rent of rental housing (high-quality regional rental housing) for child-rearing households as well as integrated development of public rental housing with child care support and other facilities.

## (ii) Promotion of Teleworking

Teleworking, a flexible work style that uses information and communication technology for the freedom to work anywhere, promotes workforce participation by various persons including women, contributes to vitalization of communities such as local cities through creation of new workplaces, and requires promotion. In addition, teleworking promises to reduce the burden of commutes by combining work and living arrangements, realize harmony of work and life (work-life balance), and ensure business continuity during disasters and other events.

The “Declaration to be the World’s Most Advanced IT Nation” decided by Cabinet on June 30, 2015, states, “To these ends, government will collaborate with industry to support employment models for teleworking from home that allow workers to spend at least one full workday per week at home targeting women engaged in child raising, who find it particularly difficult to continue working, as well as men participating in childcare, and caregivers. The target is full development and widespread adoption of such models by 2016 to encourage greater social participation by women, secure labor during a time of low birth rates and an again population, support greater participation by men in childcare, and achieve balance between work and care giving” and teleworking will be promoted even more through initiatives.

Relevant ministries and agencies are coordinating to promote the further adoption of teleworking through initiatives such as creating a facilitating environment and raising awareness in the belief that teleworking will create employment opportunities for people seeking alternative working arrangements and also vitalize regions.

The MLIT has quantitatively ascertained the actual conditions associated with the teleworking style of work and the population of teleworkers and conducted a study of policies for promoting the development of locations at which teleworking can be deployed.

## (2) Creating a Relaxed and Safe Environment for Children to Grow

To ensure the safety and comfort of children and other park users, various facility administrators are made aware of “Guidelines Regarding Safety Requirements for Playground Equipment at Urban Parks (Edition 2)” and “Pool Safety Standards Guidelines” and programs such as the Social Capital Development Integrated Grant provide focused support to local governments for safety and comfort measures of park facilities.

## 3 Ageing Society Measures

(1) Creating a Living Environment for the Elderly to Live Comfortably

The Silver Housing Project provides a package including the supply of public housing and other accessible facilities, life support advisors to counsel daily living needs, and emergency response services and as of 2014 is implemented at 1,007 housing projects (25,523 housing units).

Also, in order to promote development of the “Housing and City for smart wellness” where various families with the elderly and small children can live and act actively, the promotion projects for the housing for smart wellness support the development of housing with service for the elderly, welfare facilities etc. in housing developments etc. and pioneering living and town planning measures for the elderly.