With the Japanese government promoting men’s use of childcare leave, the percentage of male workers who used the system has been rising.
This article looks at the Labor Ministry’s equal employment survey for fiscal 2024 (hereinafter, “the Survey”) and check the recent trend in men’s use of childcare leave.
[1] Increasing use of men’s childcare leave system
Japan had been struggling to encourage male workers to take childcare leave, but partly thanks to social changes and a boost from the government measures, the usage rate has been increasing rapidly in recent years. In 2024, the rate jumped 10.4 points to a record 40.5% from 30.1% in a year earlier. Among the male workers who took childcare leave, 60.6% used the “Post-childbirth Paternity Leave (Sango Papakyu.)” Since this leave was introduced in October 2024, the Survey provided the first data on the use of the program.
The government has been increasing effort to achieve its goal of raising men’s use of childcare leave to 50% by 2025, and 85% by 2030.
Chart: Men’s childcare leave usage rate
[2] Disclosure of the status of male workers’ childcare leave
In April 2025, the government has expanded the scope of businesses required to disclose the data about male employees’ childcare leave to companies with more than 300 employees. Applicable companies need to release their annual data in about three months after the end of fiscal year. Following chart shows rough deadlines.
Chart: Deadline of first disclosure
|
End of fiscal year (Earnings announcement) |
Deadline of first disclose |
End of fiscal year (Earnings announcement) |
Deadline of first disclose |
|
March |
End of Jun 2025 |
September |
End of Dec |
|
April |
End of Jul 2025 |
October |
End of Jan |
|
May |
End of Aug 2025 |
November |
End of Feb |
|
June |
End of Sep 2025 |
December |
End of Mar |
|
July |
End of Oct 2025 |
January |
End of Apr |
|
August |
End of Nov 2025 |
February |
End of May |
Amended Childcare and Caregiver Leave Act has been implemented in phases in April and October 2025. The government is also making other changes to childcare leave system, including a new childcare leave benefit introduced in April. Please check the latest information and take necessary measures.
[Reference]
The Labor Ministry, “the Basic survey on equal employment”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/list/71-r06.html
“Expansion of the scope of companies required to disclose data on male workers’ use of childcare leave”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11909000/001029776.pdf
“Childcare and Caregiver Leave Act”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000130583.html
“Childcare leave benefit”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000135090_00001.html
*The information is valid as of the date of the original article.
