Estimated number of babies born in Japan in 2017 falls to record low

The number of babies born in Japan in 2017 is estimated to have fallen to the lowest since such record-keeping began in 1899, government data showed Friday.According to statics released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of babies born this year is estimated at 941,000, about 36,000 fewer than last year and below 1 million for the second consecutive year.The number of newborns peaked at about 2.7 million in 1949.The population of Japan is also believed to have continued to shrink as estimated deaths exceeded births.Deaths during the year totaled an estimated 1.344 mill…READ FULL ARTICLE