This article explores the history and current statistics of family size in Japan, factors influencing the decline of family size, government policies aimed at increasing family size, cultural norms and beliefs regarding family size, and the impact of smaller families on Japanese society. The average number of children born per woman has declined significantly since 1945 due to rapid economic development, women entering the workforce, increased educational opportunities for women, high costs associated with raising a child, traditional gender roles emphasizing wives and mothers rather than higher education or careers outside their home and technological advances such as contraception options. Government policies have been implemented to encourage couples to have more children but there is still strong cultural pressure within Japanese society that encourages couples to start having kids shortly after getting married. Smaller families can have both positive and negative impacts on Japanese society depending on how you look at it.