A government survey has found Japan's fertility rate for 2009 has remained unchanged from the previous year, after the preceding 3 years all saw rises.
The rate refers to the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime.
According to data released by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, the fertility rate stood at 1.37 in 2009.
Post-war, it has declined since 1947, when it stood at 4.54, and 2.16 in 1971. The rate hit a record low of 1.26 in 2005, before rising through 2008.
By regional breakdown, Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan saw the highest rate of 1.79, while that of Tokyo was the lowest at 1.12.
Women aged between 30 and 35 gave birth to the greatest number of babies at 389,788.
The ministry said this reflects the rising age of women having their first child, which is now 29.7 years old on average.
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