In the period from January to August, an alarming increase in the number of nursery closures and bankruptcies has been recorded in Japan — the highest it's ever been. Rising operational costs, exacerbated by the impact of the ongoing pandemic, and a declining birthrate are primarily responsible for this grim trend. The implications for working parents in Japan are significant, as fewer and fewer accessible facilities for childcare continue to add to the pressures of balancing work-life responsibilities.

In Japan, the closure of nurseries is considered a serious social issue. The declining birth rate combined with an ageing population pressures the system as many of the country's working population are also parents who rely on these services for childcare. Additionally, accessible and quality childcare is a crucial factor for many women considering returning to work post-maternity in Japan. Therefore, nursery closures affect not only the availability of these services but also employment rates and overall social balance.

While nursery and childcare facility closures are also concerning in the US or EU, the situation in Japan is quite unique due to its rapidly ageing population and the declining birth rate. In the US and EU, there are also issues with care centers going out of business, but they often involve different factors such as government funding cuts or policy changes.