The number of male workers taking childcare leave in Japan has been increasing, partly thanks to the government effort to encourage working fathers to time off to care for their children. This article looks at the result of the Labor Ministry’s survey on equal employment for fiscal 2025 by focusing on men’s childcare leave.
[1] Male workers’ childcare leave usage rate is on the rise
Male workers’ childcare leave usage rate had remained low until recently. Boosted by social changes and government measures, the rate has surged to 50.9% in 2025. (Chart below) The figure increased 10.4 points from 40.5% in the year before, reaching the highest level since the survey started.
Among male workers who took childcare leave, the ratio of those who used the paternity leave that can be taken within 8 weeks after the birth of a child (“Sango papa ikukyu”) was 56.8%.
The government had set a goal of raising male workers’ childcare leave usage rate to 50% by FY2025 and 85% by FY2030. The recent trend shows the first goal has been achieved.
Chart: Men’s childcare leave usage rate
[2] Duration of male workers’ childcare leave period
The figure below shows lengths of childcare leave of male workers who ended their leave and returned to work between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. The ratio of those who took leave for “one month or more and less than three months” was the highest 30.3%, followed by “two weeks or more and less than one month” at 28.0%, and “five days or more and less than two weeks” at 14.1%.
Chart: Length of men’s childcare leave
Less than 5 days
5 days – less than 2 weeks
2 weeks – less than one month
One month – less than 3 months
3 months – less than 6 months
6 months – less than 8 months
8 months – less than 10 months
10 months – less than 12 months
12 months – less than 18 months
18 months – less than 24 months
24 months – less than 36 months
36 months or more
Unknown
As more and more workers take childcare leave, companies will also receive questions about childcare leave benefits. Since the system is complicated and a new benefit program has been established recently, HR staff may have difficulty providing accurate explanation. Please use the helpful tools in the Labor Ministry’s website and respond to employees with adequate information.
‘Reference
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, “FY2025 Basic Survey on Equal Employment”
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/list/71-r07.html
“Simple calculation tool of financial support for workers on maternity or childcare leave”
https://shussan.ikukyu-simu.mhlw.go.jp/
