When I told my boss that I wanted to take parental leave to help my wife build her career, he had trouble understanding because he has a wife who does all the housework and child-raising for him. It was like we were two people from different cultures.

I worked in HR for a Japanese company for a few years and this generational divide was a real thing. Many younger guys took paternity leave and spoke openly about their desire to take a more active role at home, or having the energy to enjoy their kids on weekends. It was also recognized that younger men were less willing to attend nomi-kai, work long hours, take promotions b/c of increased responsibility, or be transferred far from their families. A friend of mine left the company shortly before I did b/c he refused to move to a rural factory a few months after the birth of his son. Of course, older managers lamented these trends.

Message to all Japanese parents from a teacher. Your kids need you, more than ever. They’re being raised by Pokémon. It will take time but work-life balance is a very necessary discussion.

It's my bitter experience that I had only five days off for paternity leave which is very short though I had applied for two months paternity leave which I did not got it . I am working 12,13 hours in day even though I hardly take a day off in weekend.i wish the system will change , have to change to make balance in life and working hours with the good payments.

Dumbarse.

Funny how everyone laments the low birth rate but when it comes to doing their part in supporting new young families the Japanese business world for the most part recoils in horror..