The average birthrate considered essential to
maintain a population is 2.08 children per household. Though they both came from big families,
my parents chose to fulfil their minimum duty and leave it at that.
They were just being typical Japanese. In Japan, as in other industrialized countries, there has been a steadily dropping birthrate since World War II -- it was measured at an all-time low of 1.42 in 1995. I would have less than half a sister!