Japan and its pets?!

So I'm doing a presentation on the new pet culture arising in Japan, and was wondering if any one has their own opinion that they would like to contribute?

What I'm looking at is the general pet culture (dedicated pet fashion stores, pet hiring, dog fashion shows etc), why there are more pets in Japan than children under the age of 15, and whether the rising number of pets is directly effected by the decreasing birth rates.

Yeah, so, if you'd like to help me out by giving your thoughts on the matter, then please do!!
Thanks

Pets are cheaper than kids. You can easily acquire them while single. They are more loyal. They stick around after age 18.

Put up a pic on slide 1 of an old granny with cats.

Haha well... they might stick around past 18 if they're one of those pets that never seems to die xD
or they're a tortoise...
But yeah, I'm liking the granny idea...

And put up a picture of me with the caption: "Aww... how could anyone resist?"

.

while the relating to birth decreases is quite possible, I find it also relates to people being more career-driven, and having no time for kids yet, or simply cannot afford to settle down and get married----and pets are more Independent, and indeed cheaper.


I mean, really

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if you go away for a week, you simply let the cat be allowed outside, and it might actually go hunting. Asking someone to feed it for 5 mins and go home is far cheaper than paying for daycare.

Pets also do not require an extra bedroom....unless you are really willing to go that far. Many people have to relocate once they have a child unless they plan ahead and get a home with the extra room for the aging child.

Aside that, it's actually the damaged environment and what's hiding in our food these days that is creating our birth decreases, as well as financial instability and requiring to spend more hours at work, and less at home.

Yeah, just think about how much raising a kid in East Asia costs. You have to pay for good schools, sports, *cram schools*, tests, clothes, food, toys, etc.