Jessica Grose on the good news behind the numbers.

Japan has been trying to boost its fertility rate for 30 years. Now the rest of the rich world is, too.

The government is again trying to insert itself into women’s childbearing decisions, knocking on doors and making calls with questions some find downright invasive.

The shrinking population poses threats to growth but has opened opportunities for businesses that serve seniors.

Beijing said the move was in line with international trends, as more countries have limited such adoptions. Many would-be adoptive families were left in limbo.