Japanese men wrongly believe other men dislike paternity leave: study

My company gave 3 days. I took an extra 17. I dont regret the jealous looks and murmuring (i guess) when i announced it. Some of the ojisan's in the office were even asking me "why would you want to be there during the birth?" SMH. I feel bad for their wives, and their kids - they are the quintessential Ojisan's who would rather stay late at work than go home to spend time with their families. I bet they were part of the 78 that viewed paternity leave badly

It's not just paternity leave but leave in general for both males and females. The stuff I have to put up with my Japanese co-workers every time I take my paid holidays. Even tho i announce it four months in advance so we can plan ahead. Coz according to them, "we Japanese people don't use our paid holidays yada yada yada, we want you to do the same". I'm pretty sure if I was to take paternity leave, it would be just the same.

I don't really get why the Japanese make their lives so difficult for each other.

It's all about image I think. They want to look like they are the hardest worker in the room.

I pretty much agree with the comments above. This is essentially a generational problem.

Working here, I had a lot of talks with younger people, and all they said was "I want to go home", "I want to rest", "I want to sleep normally" etc...

But, you have to follow what the elder says, so you stay until they leave, and you go eat with them if they tell you to...

Once this generation is gone, I have good hope the next one will be more relaxed, because that's what they really want.

As a high school teacher its not uncommon for students to not even know what their father does for a living. "'Salaryman' I think" is all they know. What type of company and what they do ain't even on the radar. The kids are often listless and lack ambition.

Studies like this show that if they just had the balls to do the right thing for their families they could actually do it. Just takes a brave few to get the ball rolling and leave this mediocrity behind! I'd say relations with their wives also have a lot to do with this issue. EVery night I see a bunch of balding, slightly overweight middle aged salaryman parked in their idling cars at the local combini smoking cigarettes and watching stuff on their smart phones. Definitely no rush to get home!

Maybe this generation of millennials may just be the ones to break the mold. Love the ones your with yo!

Is there actually official paid paternity leave in Japan? Or would it just be unpaid leave?

The Japanese government aims to boost the rate of men taking paternity leave to 13% by 2020.

Wow. Reach for the stars, Japan.

Pluralistic ignorance at every level in Japan (happy now to call this with a name):

the holidays, any leave in general

tell factual but critical opinions

express simple feelings

...starts young to be brainwashed by your elders ;)

Younger generation to be way more open minded fortunately. (

Many Japanese men approve of paternity leave but do not take it when they actually have a child because they "wrongly believe other men think unfavorably of men taking paternity leave," a team of Japanese researchers said Wednesday.

Who the chuff cares what other people think. If you're entitled to leave, take it!

Many Japanese men approve of paternity leave but do not take it when they actually have a child because they "wrongly believe other men think unfavorably of men taking paternity leave,"

Could also read:

Many Japanese people approve of holiday leave but do not take it because they "wrongly believe other people think unfavorably of people taking paternity paid leave,"

So the nation sits tied to their desks, longing for their annual two nights at the onsen.

Is there actually official paid paternity leave in Japan? Or would it just be unpaid leave?

＠Striker10 Yes there is an official paid paternity leave, however it is not compulsory for your company to offer it (at least thats what i was told). From the company's side, it is considered unpaid leave. The Japanese government then pays you at a rate of 2/3 of your previous salary (with a cap of course) for the first 6 months, and then 1/2 your previous salary for the next 6 months. The amazing thing is, you can take it at the same time as mum takes maternity leave (she gets 2/3 pay for the first year).

However only 1% of dad's take any maternity leave at all.