Japanese champion runner Tomomi Bitoh completed a 170km race in the Himalayas last November and immediately made a beeline for a Tokyo clinic to begin freezing her eggs, hoping to keep alive her dream of becoming a mother.
The 33-year-old former childcare worker is one of a growing number of Japanese women joining in a trend the authorities in the world's most advanced ageing society hope will stem further declines in the birth rate.
"I have this big dream of becoming No. 1 in the world," said Ms Bitoh, who finished second among women in the 2021 Marathon des Sables, regarded as one of the world's toughest long-distance races. "I don't think that's something I can do 10 or 20 years from now after having a child. It's now or never."
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Denne historien er fra June 06, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Under-16s need more exposure, says fraternity
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Kane given 'all-clear' for Nations League games
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Historic Ohtani 50-50 ball remains in play as auction continues
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DJOKOVIC STORMS PAST COBOLLI
Serb eases into Shanghai Masters last 16 after days of schedule disruption due to rain
France Rugby plans to impose strict discipline
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Star-studded cast includes Marchand, Pan, le Clos, McKeown, Zhang and Douglass
BOY XANDER LOOKING FRESH FOR THE TASK
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Turn down the K-pop and pay attention to K-healing
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How is it that Netanyahu is able to keep defying Biden?
The 'tail wagging the dog' situation is not simply about the power of the 'Israel Lobby'. Other factors in the patron-client relationship are in play too.
Most Asean fund managers avoiding new economy firms
Uncertainty over future returns, growth prospects among factors
