The Whys and Wherefores of Taika

As birth rates decline, in an effort to increase the total population of Japan, the country has implemented... a pet-humanism policy...? As more and more owners "humanize" their pets--having them become members of society--Japan begins to experience a hike in economic growth, as well as in increase in crimes committed by these "dogmen" and "catmen"... In the midst of such social unrest, what could possibly be of bigger concern to one cynical high school girl named Ao...?