Value-Orientation and Fertility Behavior in Japan: A Second Demographic Transition?

Much research has been done on the influence of ideational factors on family formation in countries of Europe. According to the second demographic transition theory, due to an increase in economic affluence and social security, people have a strong preference to self-actualization and individuation. As a result of this, cohabitation and divorce gain popularity, while early marriage and childbearing lose popularity in Europe. However, few studies have been conducted regarding the impact of value-orientation on family formation patterns in Japan.

This paper attempts to examine the influence of ideational factors on fertility behavior in Japan. Data come from the Japanese Generations and Gender Survey. Since the survey is a panel survey, we can scrutinize the causal relation between attitudes and childbearing behavior. Multivariate analyses including latent class hazard analysis have been carried out to examine the effect of attitudes on fertility behavior. Results showed that attitudinal factor plays an important role in determining the pattern of childbirth in Japan.