To add to this, Japan is increasingly viewed as a harbinger for much of the Western world.

Previous discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34486824

Further, an attitude among Japanese women that their traditional role is bs and they want nothing to do with it. So, no marriage, no children.

It's reasonable to say, half of Japan wants their culture to continue - the men. But they need the cooperation of the women to achieve that. But they can't achieve that, without changing their culture. So deadlock.

They must not care that much, since policy changes (if not cultural shift) are barely on the table. Better work-life balance is one factor that would improve the fertility rate.