politics

Civic group demands Kumamoto assembly help child-rearing members after baby stir

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114 out of 144, no Suprise there. The shock of a new mother taking her child to work resulted in a written warning. The message being don't have a child, or cease working. What's a woman to do?

4 ( +8 / -4 )

I would also like to point out that these grumpy old men get their exorbitantly inflated salaries from tax payers and that's a shrinking pool. So their current actions do appear to be self destructive.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Not bring her child to a political discussion, my fellow human being.

Since 21th century is making us face all kinds of new issues, this one has to be addressed now. Conduct the research. Provide possible babysitting services to those with children. Be compassionate. Be humble.

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Kumamoto city assembly are missing an opportunity to lead, be the first, set by example, provide creche, day child care facilities and open if practicable to the community as a whole.

Access the costs to quantify whether there will need to be contributions from parents using the service. Withdraw the written warning.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Reading all the posts here they all seem to expect the taxpayer to spend even more money on assembly members they already earn enough money to be able to afford their own childcare costs instead of making a drama hire a baby sitter before attending a meeting.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

these grumpy old men get their exorbitantly inflated salaries from tax payers

And as a member of the assembly, so presumably does Ogata. She can afford a baby-sitter for the occasional half an afternoon.

provide creche, day child care facilities and open if practicable to the community as a whole.

For the community as a whole, yes; for one of their own, at taxpayer expense....Surely not.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Your right CLEO, she can afford alternative actions. And lord knows these peoples pay is monthly what the rest of the population earn yearly. I'm probably more incensed that a child is treated with such disdain. It does highlight a social issue so good job. When grumpy old men issue a written warning rather then take the opportunity to interact with a 7 month old child. Priorities are wrong and that's the moral. No childcare facilities available even if your rich. What are the lower rung mortals to do.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

 And lord knows these peoples pay is monthly what the rest of the population earn yearly. 

Do you have any blinking idea what you are talking about? It's not about what she can or can not afford, it's about bringing the issue of problems related to working women and child care.

these grumpy old men get their exorbitantly inflated salaries from tax payers

Quick..without using google, just how much do these people make per month? ANy idea? I'll bet not, and I also bet you are ASSUMING a hell of a lot with regards to what they make and what they have to pay for as well.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Ahh I do know that the average politicians salery is as a base over ¥2million a month and that's a base without being on an advisory panel and does not include extras. I would retort and say this Google of which you speek off...might want to view it. The point of the story is a very well paid tax payer paid represtative felt the need or couldn't get Childcare or chose not to. My point is as has been well documented Childcare is hard to find, and old men detest in general,( not all) but have no skill set nor inclination to take the time to interact with a child. Why so angry?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Hi Cleo, it will need smart means testing.

Yuka Ogata, has made a political point, so must if necessary step up and contribute, supporting families in the community that struggle to find affordable child care.

Depopulation must be reversed, to facilitate family focused policies taking priority.

However there is no escaping, on site workplace, creche, day child care facilities are expensive. Eye watering so, health and safety, the lack of available qualified staff, and insurance cost are exorbitant.

I thought a 'day-care'  angle would attract stay at home potential employees with children. In fact flexible working hours, and work from home was economically smarter.

But what about densely populated areas where nursery day car is prohibitive? I guess one size doesn't fit all.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

If she couldn't find a baby-sitter, then why didn't the father take the child to his place of work? Why do so many believe that only mothers have to raise a child?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Dad might work at a convienence store or a factory, truck driver, builder, a work place that would be unsuitable for a child, she sits in a comefortable chair and talks. She might be estranged from dad, not uncommon. With the catastrophic drop in births step 1 care and appreciate those we have. Is it so hard to spend time with a child? And they are being paid while doing so, way better than a Childcare worker.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

That is Yuka Ogata point, there is little or no registered child care facilities in the workplace for Mothers or Fathers.

Frankly it is cost prohibitive. There is a lack of qualified staff, and a mountain of health and safety regulations to climb. All a contributory effect from depopulation.

When is the yen going to drop? Taxes will have to rise to pay for the social care costs from an aging population.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Ms. Ogata wrote an opinion piece the other day in the Guardian newspaper. You should be able to find it very easily. There is a lot more to her position that the Japanese media has described. I don't recall any reports pointing out that the session she took her baby into was a "fifteen minute session". I think that fact alone would change some people's perception of what she did. Due to the kerfuffle, there was a forty minute delay, nearly three times the length of the session.

I'm going to cherry pick another thing she said in the Guardian, but one example problem she mentioned was the need to write your child's name on every nappy when you put them in day care. I like this because it is a perfect example of the rigmarole involved with raising kids in Japan. Writing names on individual nappies doesn't take long, but achieves nothing (the nappies are kept in a bag) and is a symptom of the basic assumption that the parents in every family have unlimited energy and time to devote to their children, i.e., that every family can do what a textbook doting housewife does. My youngest goes to hoikuen, but my elder two went to youchien, and that had my wife hand make over fifteen different bags and covers before the kids could go. Store bought goods were not acceptable. Some parents had to buy a sewing machine and relearn to sew solely for this. Day care facilities should be there to help families, not to teach parents how to be textbook 1950s parents. Since we had a girl then a boy, my wife ended up having to make all the bags and covers twice.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Hi kohakuebisu.......You are quite correct...the guardian slanted the article , Yuka Ogata was never 'thrown out'

I tried to take my child to work with me in Japan – but I got thrown out.....Yuka Ogata...

https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2017/dec/06/take-child-to-work-got-thrown-out-city-councillor-japan

However for balance the same left of centre newspaper.....

Childcare costs in England rise up to seven times faster than wages......

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/oct/20/childcare-costs-in-england-rise-up-to-seven-times-faster-than-wages

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Sorry kohakuebisu, I am not suggesting you slanted the article.....or suggested as such...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I think some LDP members reported Kumamoto story to Abe. He is talking about childcare help more than Trump action in Israel.

How much she earns at 42 years old is not an issue here. Unlike civilian employees, Assembly men do not receive periodical raise. Just same pay.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

but 191 opinions opposed her action, with some doubting whether an assembly member can fulfill her role with a baby.

Sexist claptrap, and indicative of the out dated attitudes that are still prevalent in Japanese society.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government has been trying to improve conditions for working women, especially after childbirth.

No, he isn't. He talks about it, but talking about an issue isn't the same as 'trying to improve' it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Men also have shortages of childcare service, too..

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Talking is better than ignoring. Talking in Japanese language along with allocating big yens now. Of cause Abe gets criticized by your type of gaijin.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hope Abe will allocate childcare budget to Kumamoto, too. Then, maybe. More women can fill. worker shortage in Kyushu.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

And as a member of the assembly, so presumably does Ogata. She can afford a baby-sitter for the occasional half an afternoon.

My thoughts exactly.

Does anyone know what her salary is?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The problem is people can't find people who want to become babysitters. How about recruit men to become babysitters?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It doesn't matter how much baby's parents earn. I am sure millionaires have babies, too.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Recruit kind men to become babysitters. Maybe some men may love to babysit tan become dirty laborer.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Does anyone know what her salary is?

According to the bylaw determining payment to city officials, the salaries are:

Chairperson ¥818,000/month Deputy Chairman ¥744,000/month Other assembly members ¥674,000/month

Plus travel expenses every tine they attend the assembly:

(1) Up to 4 km ¥5,000/day

(2) Over 4km. up to 8km ¥6,000/day

(3) Over 8 km ¥7,000/day

http://www1.g-reiki.net/kumamoto-city/reiki_honbun/q402RG00000034.html

1 ( +1 / -0 )

On any future provision of day childcare facilities, Yuka Ogata contribution should reflect the remuneration package a assemblywoman receives.

Also to show support for the local community/tax payer, all members of the assembly from chair down should contribute.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not much money for 42 yrs old univ. graduate, She should move to Tokyo.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not much money for 42 yrs old univ. graduate

For a job that apparently can be done while bouncing a baby on your knee?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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