Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on April 19 called on three major business organizations to give workers three years' leave after having a child, double the current maximum child leave. But his call does not reflect the true conditions that Japanese workers find themselves in.
He should instead focus on strengthening measures to make it easier for people to raise children while working.
Many company executives will likely respond to Mr. Abe's call by saying that although it may be possible for major companies to introduce a three-year child leave, it would be difficult for their companies to do so.