育児休業制度の充実の課題 (3) : 独り歩きする男性の取得率目標

Abstract

Japan’s parental leave system has been reformed to be more generous to mothers, underpinned by the strong Japanese belief that mothers should care for their own children. As a result, mothers are taking longer leave than in the past. However, some critics argue that prolonged leave may have been a measure for children on the waiting list and that prolonged absence is not desirable for mothers’ careers. Furthermore, the government has considered mandatory paternity leave to improve the low rate of parental leave uptake by fathers. However, it is suggested that the government should consider the flexible leave system which does not prolong withdrawal from the workplace along with the expansion of a reliable public infant care system, instead of just focusing the low rate of fathers.