Japanese fathers should take more responsibility in family affairs, allowing females to better participate in the labor force, according to the visiting Finnish social affairs minister.
"The main thing is the reconciliation of work and family life," Sinikka Monkare, minister of social affairs and health, told a news conference in Tokyo on Thursday. "We say the Nordic welfare system is the best friend of women."
Japan and Finland share the problem of having two of the world's most rapidly aging populations. But Japan is seen as being behind in gender equality in the workforce and social welfare, especially in care for children and the elderly.