Koizumi, wife have baby boy

Congratulations to them.

But the amount of coverage this guy gets on media is surprising. The only reason I see is he’s son of a prime minister. In modern democracies dynastic politics is frowned upon but yes I am not Japanese so I won’t understand.

Congrats but why must I know this? Are they selling him like a brand?

This baby has a far better shot than 99.9% of Japanese people of being a rich, influential government official who will probably be making decisions about our futures. We don't even know his name yet... but we know he'll be wielding power.

Congrats to them and I'm all for paternity leave, but I wonder if the Finance Minister would be allowed to take two weeks off. Koizumi is only in charge of the environment, and as we all know, there's nothing happening and no crisis there. It's been a warm winter, so give him two weeks off and then he can come back and order some more coal.

He's an LDP blue blood, who is only famous because his dad was PM.

Congrats nonetheless.

A picture of his wife or him together with his wife would be more suitable, she did all the hard work.

Congratulations to them both.

Paternity leave not been a problem at my company (or in my industry) for years now.

Congrats but why must I know this? Are they selling him like a brand?

All for show, nothing to see here folks...

Unless you punish companies that do not allow a work life balance this is simply for the media

Japanese environment minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who has said he will take paternity leave in a rare move for a Japanese man, announced on Friday the birth of his first child: a boy.

Yeah, "paternity leave"....two weeks! And not even in a row! Point is, quit the hype over what is in effect just a ploy to make it look like SOMEONE in government is taking advantage of the policy!

"I want to take a total of two weeks off flexibly, making exceptions for important public duties," he said, adding he hoped his decision would help change perceptions and encourage other fathers to follow suit.

He will not take the weeks off consecutively and said he expected to work remotely or have shortened days during the leave period -- which will be spread over three months from his child's birth.

https://japantoday.com/category/politics/Environment-minister-Koizumi-to-take-2-weeks-paternity-leave#comment-2063724

You have info that Junichiro wasn't a good father?

It's common knowledge that after his divorce he had custody of his two elder sons who were raised by his sister. He refused to let his ex see them.

A third son born after the divorce has never met his father, who has refused to meet him.

Paternity leave is a total of TWO WEEKS over THREE MONTHS?? Only in Japan can you call that leave when it's not even someone's regular vacation time in other developed nations. What a joke! TIJ

I am quite sure you read the other posts about this, you also know that paternity leave is for up to one year.

So why this comment?

Omedetou gozaimasu!

おめでとうございます。

As @ThonTaddeo said, naturally, the boy will be our future-prime minister for the years of 2060s and 70s.

Excellent that we have less problems to think about.

 I want to be a father like my dad was," 

If the plan is to divorce ASAP and raise the kid of his own, the 2 weeks will not be enough. He'll have to take more days to go do the vaccinations, or when teeth go out and he won't be able to sleep at night...

Congrats!! Very happy news. Hope mother and baby are well. Lead by example, take more time off - PLEASE.

So another future p.m is born.

Congrats.

I am wary of this guy suddenly being the new political pop idol. Japan will need serious leaders for the mess it's headed into. The pampered and wealthy son of a pampered and wealthy father in a political dynasty - those are exactly the people who are sinking Japan now. The powers that be are still playing to a gullible public by glamorizing a young politician who has done basically nothing but live in privilege.

Congrats!

Golden Eagle

In modern times political dynastic politics are frowned upon?

What about the Bushes and Clintons and thats just 2 of the last 4?

Good luck to the family, I'm sure he will be a welcome addition to a dwindling ruling class.

Environment Minister is worried that his absence from his task will do what exactly? What could possibly be so urgent that Japan, the World environment needs him to be at work. What an ego! I hope in fatherhood he learns to love someone more than himself, I hope his child teaches him to truly give to another human. His time is what his children will cherish and he seems to be unaware of this. Poor man... bad role models and crazy indoctrination have clearly effected his 'value system'. Good luck and enjoy this very short widow of time you have. My great aunt advised me to ''love'em while they are little because someone else will love'em when they are older''.

"I want to be a father like my dad was."

Surely this should be "I want to be a father like my dad wasn't."

Why do you say that? You have info that Junichiro wasn't a good father?

You sir, are now a parent and have an obligation to your child to leave to him a better world than what we have now. You have the position and the platform to make substantial changes, spare us your platitudes and get to work.

So what ?!

“he powers that be are still playing to a gullible public by glamorizing a young politician who has done basically nothing but live in privilege.”

Agreed

Is this newsworthy?

Paternity leave is a total of TWO WEEKS over THREE MONTHS?? Only in Japan can you call that leave when it's not even someone's regular vacation time in other developed nations. What a joke! TIJ