Child-rearing support is a focal issue in the campaign for the Aug. 30 election as the two main parties fight to woo parents, especially those who both work or have young children.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its main rival, the Democratic Party of Japan, are focusing on child-rearing and their strategies for curbing the low birthrate, which is a national concern because of the significance it holds for Japan's future economic well-being.

For family voters, too, child-rearing support is considered vital. According to a 2005 survey by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, the expense is the biggest reason why married couples do not have as many children as they want, with two-thirds expressing such a view.