Last week, the Japanese Health Ministry announced that the country’s 2005 birthrate fell to a record low of 1.25 babies per woman, well below the 2.1 required to keep the population steady. It took this dramatic development to inspire the Japanese government to get serious about flexibility for working mothers.

Experts blame the decline in births on the difficulty of balancing a career and children in Japan. Companies demand long hours and childcare options are extremely limited. As a result, many career-minded Japanese women are reluctant to become mothers.

The Japanese Cabinet Office’s Gender Equality Bureau has responded to this trend with a report recommending that the government encourage companies to rehire former employees, improve salary and labor conditions for part-time workers and ease maximum age limits in hiring. The report also calls upon the government to help mothers find jobs, learn new skills and start small businesses.

According to the report, "Women can feel at ease giving birth and raising children in an environment where they can continue working."

It took a plunging birthrate and impending labor shortage to bring the plight of working mothers to the attention of the Japanese government. Companies that make it easier for working moms to return to the workforce are likely to also reap business benefits through a larger talent pool and greater diversity of thought. Could Japan’s efforts inspire companies in the U.S. to also look at programs to help working parents (not just moms) balance career and family?