And those couples that do marry are increasingly inclined not to have children.
"The couples called DINKS -- double income, no kids -- feel happier than couples with children," Suzuki said.
"Before, children were seen as a bond between a couple. Now they are a trouble for a Japanese couple," she said.
Suzuki said new legislation would change the prevailing perception that male workers have been the single most important engine of growth since the end of World War II.
But she also thinks the government is not fulfilling its responsibilities and is not pursuing a policy to promote a higher birthrate.
Over the last five years, the government's position has been to continue to say "it is up to citizens whether to have a baby or not. I agree but it pushes too much responsibility on people and more recently on the business side," Suzuki said.
"The government should say that because of these reasons [pensions, public debt repayment] we need babies and tell people that if they have a baby, the government will support education and child care."
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