Drawing on interviews with Japanese women, this study examines the implications behind the declining birth rate in Japan and looks towards the future of a country that is in danger of becoming a childless society . It considers the reasons why Japanese women are finding it increasingly difficult to accept the terms and conditions of motherhood and explores the major factors contributing to maternal malaise in Japan including: the Ten Commandments of the Good Mother ; the changing role of the father; education and careers; and nostalgia from older generations.