Ghost Homes

Abortion has left its ugly mark on countries where it’s legal.  Japan long ago legalized abortion and has been struggling with a declining population for years.  Fewer babies were born last year than since they began keeping records.  One side-effect of a contracting population is empty “ghost” houses.  These are homes left abandoned for lack of need, and they dot Japan’s entire landscape, largely in sparsely populated areas.  The number is at a record high with expectations it’ll get worse.  City councils have devised financial incentives to draw families to the properties, but with little success.  Many countries are facing a depopulation problem and are coming up with creative ways to get couples to have more children.