Survival of the fittest starts young for Japanese babies, well literally. Writer describes the competition to get her baby secured in a daycare home (nurturing homes in Japan are called hoikuens), tougher than her globe trotting, dangerous, and gut wrenching assignments. Depending on income, public hoikuens are rather affordable at US600-800$ a month. But if luck is not in favour, failing to secure a position at the hoikuens could means financial suicide as mothers have to give up jobs just to take care of their offsprings. Back then, writer's mother was one of the pioneer working women in her company, and she too faced the dilemma of finding a chilcare provider for her while she goes to work. Surprising enough, things barely changed even after four decades.
As much as the Japanese government encourages its citizens to have more children, lack of effort in providing sufficient daycare services have definitely deterred young mothers from giving birth. In the long run, the population growth of Japan might have to take an avalanche ride.
-sharmayne cheng
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