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Japan welfare program plans to aid moms and dads

By on October 3, 2015

imagesAs women’s participation in the work force becomes increasingly important to Japan’s economic future, the Japanese government will introduce subsidies to companies that will allow dads to take time off to care for their children and promote the welfare of families.

Presently, just 2.3% of fathers take paternity leave when a baby is born. Under the Health, Labour & Welfare Ministry’s program, companies with male employees who did not take a child care leave over the past three years will be able to collect ¥300,000 for the first dad who takes a leave and ¥150,000 each for additional workers up to a total five employees.

60% of Japanese women leave their jobs for childbirth. Some moms find it difficult to return to work after full-time parenting due to rusty skills. The ministry will support moms’ transition back into the workforce after full time child rearing through career and trade schools that will offer mothers an opportunity to acquire work skills while their young children are looked after. Training programs with focus on nursing, sales and administration ranging from 3 to 6 months will be open to women in low-income households. These career and trade schools that participate in the welfare program will receive a stipend of up to ¥100,000 monthly and transportation from the government to help defray the cost of service offered to mothers.

About Tim Furukawa