The longer hours single parents work for their children, the less time they have with them. What we need is a welfare system that offers single parents basic support such as better working environment

"the less time they have with them" . . .

Making a safe and caring future part of everyone's experience takes time and investment now.

Or, is that too much to ask?

I was lucky - I only worked in "foreign jobs". My son went to a "hoiku-en" and one of our neighbours "collected" him for me if I came back a little late. After starting school, my boss said to me : "If, for any reason, your son cannot go to school, you BRING HIM HERE ! And that's an order !"

True. Long way to go in Japan.

This opinion piece is so well written. If I didn't know better I'd guess that men and women are single parents that need help. Unfortunately for the author I know it's mostly women who get the children and try to raise a child all on their own. Some women even have 2 children.

I simply cannot endorse any tax break or welfare support that makes it easier for women to ditch men. The Family courts in Japan fast track the process of divorce by maiming or hobbling the man with instant alimony and then in 99% of their cases will not reverse themselves. Father's are losing their children and there's no joint custody.

Endorsing a great welfare system for single mothers is to look at men here in Japan as sperm donors that can easily be ditched.

What Japan needs is more investment in education that supports the child ......

@JWithers

The Family courts in Japan fast track the process of divorce by maiming or hobbling the man with instant alimony and then in 99% of their cases will not reverse themselves. Father's are losing their children and there's no joint custody.

I beg to differ... My Japanese husband kept one of our two sons and I never received one yen in alimony....

Oh Viking, what a nightmare for you and your boys! My heart bleeds for you, sweetheart. I wish I could send you a big hug. Alimony? They do not have any system to collect any monies a Japanese court might deign to award to an ex wife. Not one yen, in fact even getting a divorce when they are blocking it is very difficult.