The number of children on waiting lists for gakud身 hoiku after-school care facilities in Japan fell by 1,356 from a year earlier to 16,330 as of May 1, the first decline in four years, the Children and Families Agency said Tuesday.
The decline is attributed to local governments improving such facilities＊ capacity to accommodate children.
The number of children registered for gakud身 hoiku facilities for elementary school students rose by 50,693 to 1,570,645, hitting a record high.
Fourth graders formed the largest group on waiting lists, at 5,589, followed by third graders, at 3,305, and fifth graders, at 2,644.
In a questionnaire conducted by the Children and Families Agency, 59% of parents reported that their lifestyles have changed as their children were put on the waiting lists.
According to an estimate by the agency, the number of registered children is expected to peak at about 1.65 million around 2030. Efforts will be made to eliminate the waiting lists including by using regular classrooms at schools and supporting staff recruitment.
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