Japanese Woman Welcomes 7th Child Amid Japan’s Birth Rate Crisis, Her Message Goes Viral
Japanese author and former political candidate Kotoe Hashimoto has sparked a major social media conversation after announcing the birth of her seventh child and linking the milestone to Japan's ongoing demographic crisis.
Japanese author and former political candidate Kotoe Hashimoto has sparked a major social media conversation after announcing the birth of her seventh child and linking the milestone to Japan's ongoing demographic crisis.
Hashimoto shared a photo of her newborn on social media after giving birth, saying she hoped her message would encourage more Japanese women to have children as the country continues to grapple with record-low births.
"I have given birth to my seventh child! Thank you all for your support and encouragement! I express my deepest gratitude to the doctors, midwives, and nurses for their dedicated efforts," Kotoe wrote on X.
Japanese Woman Gives Birth To 7th Child Amid Record-Low Births
第七子を産みました！
皆様、応援してくださりありがとうございました！
医師、助産師、看護師の皆様方の御尽力に感謝申し上げます。 pic.twitter.com/DWrJUnvtnu
— 橋本琴絵 (@HashimotoKotoe) August 28, 2026
In another post, Hashimoto made her position on Japan's demographic crisis clear. "I believe that now is the time for Japanese women to have children. The rise and fall of our nation depends on the active role of women," she said.
Her announcement quickly attracted attention online, with users discussing everything from her decision to have seven children to the wider challenges facing families in Japan.
Kotoe Hashimoto Announces Baby's Discharge
Hashimoto announced on September 2 that she had been discharged from hospital following the birth. She said the baby's birth registration had also been submitted. Japan Birth Crisis 2026: Under-15 Population Drops to 13.29 Million, Marking 45th Consecutive Year of Decline.
"Thank you all so much for your warm support. Please watch over this child as they begin their journey as a Japanese citizen, with the birth registration submitted," she wrote.
In a separate post, Hashimoto said that both she and the newborn were healthy.
Hashimoto has frequently used social media to discuss Japan's declining birth rate and has offered provocative suggestions about how the government could address the country's demographic challenges. Japan To Launch Dating App To Boost Birth Rate; Check Details.
In one post, she questioned whether public funds aimed at tackling the birth-rate crisis could be used differently, suggesting health insurance coverage for breast augmentation and cosmetic surgery instead of some existing fertility-related expenses.
Japan's Births Fall To Record Low
Hashimoto's announcement comes as Japan faces an increasingly serious demographic challenge. Government data showed that just over 671,000 babies were born in Japan in 2025, nearly 15,000 fewer than the previous year. It marked the 10th consecutive year of decline and the lowest number recorded since comparable records began in 1899.
Japan's total fertility rate has also remained far below the level generally considered necessary to maintain a stable population. The latest figure stood at 1.14 children per woman.
The declining number of births has raised concerns about Japan's ageing population, shrinking workforce and the long-term sustainability of its social security system.
Against this backdrop, Hashimoto's announcement of her seventh child has gained attention not just as a personal family milestone, but also as a provocative contribution to the country's ongoing debate over how to reverse its population decline.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 06, 2026 04:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
