My fourth child was born in September last year. The declining birthrate and aging population are said to be major problems in Japan, but our family has become the complete opposite of that social situation. I am finally getting used to being surrounded by four energetic children and having a lively and lively life every day. I feel like I am getting a good balance between work and family life.

My children are an eldest son in second grade, an eldest daughter in kindergarten, a second son who is two, and a third son who is 0. It's interesting that even though they were born to the same parents, they all have different personalities and physiques. My eldest son, who has a wide range of emotions and a quick mind, is a Nobunaga type, my eldest daughter, who is quiet and keeps doing what she wants, is an Ieyasu type, my friendly and fun-loving second son is a Hideyoshi type, and my third son, who has eyes that suggest he has the ability to think things through, is a Rikyu type.

When we had two children, I thought it would be okay to leave child-rearing entirely to my wife, but since our third child was born, I have had to actively help with child-rearing. I take my children to and from kindergarten, take them to work with me, take them to lessons, and go to the park with them to play every day. Raising four children in a nuclear family can be very tough if one of you falls ill, so I'm always thinking about how to effectively balance work and family life and achieve results in both without getting tired or worried. I wonder what the key to finding this is, but it may be my mission in my 40s.

There was an article in the newspaper this morning that said that many young people have negative impressions of marriage and child-rearing. I went from being unemployed and hopeless to being a farmer, which I called my own business, to getting married and raising children, and I have grown a lot. I want to be able to spread the word to the next generation that raising children was the best, so that everyone can have a positive attitude.

After my fourth child was born, I received a message from a senior who had raised four children.

When I think about it, I feel happy that they are facing the challenges facing Japan, such as a declining birthrate and a shrinking economy, and I will continue to work hard, little by little.