In order to encourage men to take childcare leave, the government said in a cabinet meeting on the 26th that it would be possible to take a total of four weeks of leave within eight weeks of the birth of a child in two separate steps. We have decided to revise the plan.
Regarding childcare leave for men, the government has set a goal of increasing the acquisition rate to 30% by 2025, but last year and 2019, it was only 7.48%, and 80% of the acquisition period is less than one month. And tend to be short.
Based on this, the government decided at a cabinet meeting on the 26th to amend the relevant law in order to create an environment where men can easily take childcare leave immediately after childbirth, which places a particularly heavy burden on women.
The amendment states that within eight weeks of the birth of a child, a total of four weeks of vacation can be taken in two separate sessions.
On top of that, the company says that it is possible to take childcare leave up to four times, including two times immediately after childbirth, so that it can continue to take childcare.
It also includes requiring large companies to disclose the rate of taking childcare leave.
The government is aiming to amend the law in the current ordinary session of the Diet.
After the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Tamura told reporters, "Especially immediately after childbirth, women are worried, and it is very significant for men to take childcare leave and participate in childcare as a couple. To that end, it is very important to improve the environment, and it is necessary for the company to understand. "