Analysis: How Japanese society puts pressure on fathers todayーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• Paternity Leave: The leave of absence a father takes from work to care for his newborn child.
• Postpartum Depression (PPD): A mood disorder that affects women after childbirth, but can also affect fathers.
• Work-Life Balance: The equilibrium between professional and personal life.
• Societal Norms: Established expectations and behaviors within a society, particularly regarding gender roles in parenting.
• Work Culture: The prevailing attitudes and behaviors within a workplace, including expectations around working hours and employee support.
• Demographic Shift: Changes in the composition of a population, such as declining birth rates.

Men Stepping into Child-Rearing Roles in Japan

This report examines the increasing involvement of fathers in child-rearing in Japan, a significant shift from traditional gender roles where mothers primarily handled childcare. The piece highlights the pressures faced by these fathers, both within the family and in their professional lives, and explores the societal and systemic changes needed to support them.

Case Study: Itto Yoshiki and Postpartum Depression

The video introduces Itto Yoshiki and his wife Lena, who are seeking help at Japan's first postpartum depression clinic for men. Their struggles began after the stillbirth of their first child, which severely impacted Lena's physical and mental health. Itto, despite his own work pressures, tried his best to support his wife. However, this took a toll on him, leading to sleep disturbances and personal health issues. He felt immense pressure to appear strong and capable as a man, preventing him from expressing his own vulnerabilities.

• Doctor Hiroshi's Perspective: Dr. Hiroshi, who sees approximately 20 fathers annually at the clinic, notes that he began treating male patients after new mothers raised concerns about their partners' well-being. He emphasizes the need to consider fathers' mental health when encouraging them to take on greater parenting roles or paternity leave. He states, "If we are going to encourage men to take a bigger role in parenting or take child care leave, I think we also need to consider their mental health." He further adds, "I think we should recognize how those who take both work and child care seriously are often those most vulnerable to issues." This underscores the importance of integrated policy and mental health support.

Challenges in the Workplace: Kawanishi Ki's Experience

Kawanishi Ki, a father of three, illustrates the workplace challenges men face. He and his wife both work, and he handles daily daycare pickups. However, when he attempted to take time off to care for his sick child during his first child's infancy, his supervisor reacted negatively. The supervisor implied that such absences were not expected of men, stating, "If you leave work for things like that, I can't give you more responsibilities or ask you to take on bigger tasks." This pressure led Kawanishi to switch jobs to better accommodate his family responsibilities and alleviate his wife's burden. He expresses a desire for societal acceptance of diverse fatherhood roles and working styles, stating, "If society could accept that there are many different ways to be a father, different working styles, different ways of living, then I wouldn't feel like I need to change jobs just to make it work."

Shifting Corporate Culture and Support Systems

The report highlights companies and organizations working to support working parents. One company assisting working parents with their calendars reports that 30% of its users are men. Tatsuya, the founder of such a company, shares his personal struggle balancing work and family, which motivated him to establish the business. He believes this is a "turning point" and that "Companies need to rethink how they treat their employees if they want to attract and retain talented people." Wayhara, another commentator, stresses that companies must take their employees seriously for the well-being of both their businesses and the families they support.

Data and Government Initiatives on Paternity Leave

NHK World reporter Katsumat discusses the increasing trend of men taking paternity leave. While traditionally a "women's issue," men are now speaking out due to their increased involvement in childcare. The Japanese government has been tracking paternity leave for decades, showing a significant jump to approximately 40% last year. However, many of these leaves are short.

• Legal Reforms: Legal reforms have played a crucial role, requiring companies to inquire about paternity leave when an employee's partner is pregnant or giving birth.
• Lingering Societal Norms: Despite these reforms, the traditional mindset of "men work, women raise kids" persists, particularly among executives, leading many companies to not anticipate fathers continuing childcare responsibilities after returning to work.

Addressing Japan's Shrinking Population and Work Culture

The issue of men's increased involvement in childcare is linked to Japan's declining birth rate. The thinking is that if men play a larger role, more couples might decide to have children. However, experts argue that Japan must first address its work culture.

• Working Hours and Birth Rates: A chart comparing men's working hours in G7 countries and South Korea with their birth rates shows a correlation: nations with longer working hours, like Japan and South Korea, tend to have lower birth rates.
• Expert Analysis: One expert points out that the expectation for men to work long hours while also assisting with chores and childcare forces them to sacrifice personal time, often leading to sleep deprivation.
• Proposed Solutions: To alleviate this, it's suggested that raising Japan's overtime pay rate to around 50% (similar to Europe and the US) could incentivize companies to hire more staff or invest in digitalization and AI, reducing reliance on long working hours from existing employees. These changes are seen as beneficial for Japan as a whole.

Conclusion: Towards an Equitable Future

The individuals interviewed express hope that this moment will lead to lasting change. The overarching sentiment is that if men can successfully balance work and parenting, it will contribute to building "a more equitable future for everyone."