First Proposal—The Root Cause of Japan's Declining Birthrate Lies in Maternal Exploitation—

This proposal argues that the fundamental cause of declining birthrates lies not in individual choices or cultural shifts, but in the structural exploitation of women’s reproductive labor. Pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare have historically been treated as unpaid and invisible work, despite being essential for the continuation of society. This uncompensated utilization of women’s lives is a form of systemic exploitation, comparable to modern slavery. Recognizing this as the root cause of demographic decline, the proposal calls for the establishment of structural reforms, including financial compensation for motherhood and systemic redesigns that respect women’s dignity.