National / Social Issues Jun 6, 2021
Fresh enthusiasm for paternity leave among city officials in Chiba
by Maki Shinozaki
Of workers eligible to take the leave, 92.3% in fiscal 2019 made use of it — up from just 28.7% in fiscal 2017.
Commentary / World Jan 4, 2021
The pandemic doesn’t have to hurt women most
by Elisa Martinuzzi
Women make up a larger share of workers in industries that ground to a halt, and they typically shoulder more of the unpaid labor at home.
Commentary / Japan Jun 14, 2019
Why paternity leave should be mandatory
by Toko Shirakawa
Behind the declining child population and the lingering income gap between Japanese men and women is the fact that husbands and wives do not take part in raising their children together.
National Apr 6, 2018
by Magdalena Osumi
A man's claim that his wife, who worked at a day care center in Aichi Prefecture, was forced to apologize to her employer for getting pregnant ahead of senior coworkers, has highlighted how the labor crunch in female-dominated sectors can affect operators. The complaint went ...
National / Politics Jan 9, 2018
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike pledges better child care as capital eyes population peak
by Magdalena Osumi
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike on Tuesday pledged greater support in child and nursing care to address growing social needs as the nation seeks to deal with its shrinking and graying population. Koike, in an interview with The Japan Times, also said she will do more ...
Art Dec 22, 2017
Images of Swedish stay-at-home dads spark conversations on masculinity
by Maya Kaneko
A photo exhibition depicting Swedish stay-at-home dads who took parental leave for more than six months convincingly poses questions on societal perceptions of masculinity and gender equality. Johan Bavman, 35, whose “Swedish Dads” collection of photos has been exhibited in 25 countries since the two-year ...
National / Politics Dec 8, 2017
¥2 trillion package for child care, free education in Japan wins Cabinet approval
The Cabinet approves a ¥2 trillion package to expand the scope of free education and child care services to cope with the nation’s declining birthrate and rapid graying.
National Dec 1, 2017
Japan business lobby agrees to contribute ¥300 billion to expand child care services
The head of Keidanren has accepted Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's request for corporations to help the country expand child care services, to the tune of about ¥300 billion ($2.7 billion). Sadayuki Sakakibara, chairman of the nation's biggest business lobby also known as the Japan Business ...
Art Oct 5, 2017
'Swedish Dads' photo exhibition captures the benefits of paternity leave
A traveling Swedish photo exhibition promoting gender equality is currently touring Japan, featuring Swedish fathers taking long periods of parental leave and caring for their children at home. "Swedish Dads" is a collection of photos taken by Johan Bavman, who hopes to introduce his ...
Business Sep 27, 2017
Sales tax to be hiked in 2019 unless disaster strikes, Abe says
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reiterated his government's plan to hike the consumption tax to 10 percent from the current 8 percent in October 2019 unless a setback such as a major financial crisis or massive earthquake occurs. "Our basic policy is to increase the ...
National / Social Issues Mar 2, 2017
Firms tap state subsidies to start day care facilities to woo working moms
by Yoshiaki Nohara
Faced with a shortage of workers, Japanese companies are taking matters into their own hands, helping the government fix a chronic lack of day care facilities that is blunting efforts to get more women into the workforce. Nichiigakkan Co., which provides hospital administration and care ...
National Nov 2, 2016
With its work environment in serious question, the ad giant gives up its government certification as a "family-friendly" company.