I'll preface this column by admitting that it is fairly common, among journalists on the science and health beats, that after they personally reproduce they experience a burning desire to write about the science of childbirth. Seasoned editors know to expect that postnatal reporters will start pitching stories on the psychology of the newborn child, on fetal brain development and on hormonal and genetic influences on natal behavior.

My excuse for doing the same — having recently passed that milestone in adult life and become a father — is simple: It's cool, and I've been writing about this stuff for ages anyway, even before I was a dad. In any case, as everyone knows, having children is something that people in ever-graying Japan need to do more of, so we could do with more stories on it. And, as they say in Hollywood, this time it's personal.

In this column, then, we'll look at whether it could be possible to beat the biological clock.