Compare and contrast to this article about Japanese Men and Women
http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20040603/6255200s.htm
So there is a dark side to the "zero population growth" movement. When succesful it actually has a very large and negative societal impact.
I remember reading a similar article several weeks ago about the same kind of problems in Greece. Basically, the Greek Women have had it with the Macho Greek men who won't help at all with the kids or house work. So as a result Greece now has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe these days.
Interesting article about Japanese self-extinction. Reminds me of the line from Jerry Pournelle's novel "Oath of Fealty" - "Think of it as evolution in action."