[Grandpa Saw It!] Part 2: Did I just look at the Basic Act on Child Policy!?

My heart is Gen Z! My body is a Showa-era person past sixty! I'm Grandpa, a supporter of Gen Z!?

Well, this time I've taken up the "Basic Act on Child Policy." In the ordinary Diet session, there was only talk about money, and the fact that the Children and Families Agency was established on April 1, 2023, and the Basic Act on Child Policy was enacted didn't really become a topic of conversation. But the Basic Act on Child Policy actually says that some pretty otherworldly things are about to begin.

This is the second part. I would be happy if you could read the first part first.

✅ Overview of the Basic Act on Child Policy

They have prepared pamphlets explaining the "Basic Act on Child Policy," which was enacted at the same time as the launch of the Children and Families Agency, so that children can also read them.

If you read these, I think you will be able to understand the background of the law.
I'll show you the table of contents.

✅ An attitude of listening to children's opinions

I have high hopes for "Children and Youth ★ Iken Plus" (Opinion Plus) starting this autumn. I hope it becomes a catalyst for the SNS generation to take an interest in politics and change society into one where they don't think “The world won't change just because I say something” or “It's useless to say anything.”

It would be even better if children started attending expert meetings at each ministry.

It seems that recent expert meetings are starting to select not only government-friendly scholars but also many opinion-leading experts, and Grandpa really hopes that things will change so that children can attend these meetings.

✅ Implementation of child policies

It looks like the first major task for the Children and Families Agency will be to establish the "Outline for Promoting Child Policies."

Since it is each prefecture that will implement policies according to the outline, it will be necessary for local governments to formulate a “Prefectural Child Plan” to implement child-centered policies.

The control tower for this seems to be the “Council for Promoting Child Policies” which will be placed within the Children and Families Agency.

1) Unify child policies that are currently siloed across ministries such as MEXT, MHLW, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
2) Cover: (1) policies related to children and youth, (2) measures to combat the declining birthrate, and (3) measures to address child poverty.
3) Give concrete form to the realization of a "child-centered society."
4) By creating a society where people can experience the joy of having a family and the joy and fun of raising children, we can overcome the declining birthrate as a result.

The philosophy that the general outline aims for is, of course, that money is necessary, but it also lies in the point of carrying out many reforms in areas other than money.

It has only just begun, so Minister Ogura must have a tough job ahead, but please do your best.

Let's increase the effectiveness of the philosophy shown by the Basic Act on Child Policy and the policy-making process that incorporates children's opinions, and as a result, make it a society where children are born.

Go for it, Gen Z!

Thank you for reading until the end.
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