Japan has taken another step to reverse its declining birthrate, as a law revision extending parental leave took effect last month with the hopes of encouraging fathers to play a larger role in raising children.
Leave is now up to 14 months if both parents share it, instead of the previous 12 months allowed for either parent.
The revised Law for Childcare and Family Care Leave also enables a father who has taken time off from work during the first eight weeks after his child's birth to take leave for a second time.