Japan recently passed revised laws aimed at supporting employees who are raising children in an effort to combat the country’s declining birthrate. The new laws require companies to provide more flexible options for teleworking and shorter working hours to accommodate parents of young children.
Employees with children aged 3 and above will now have the option to choose from different work styles, such as working from home or adjusting their work hours. This is in addition to the existing mandate for shorter working hours for parents with children under 3.
Other measures, including extending the period for employees to be exempt from overtime and relaxing rules for special leave to care for sick children, are set to be implemented next year. Companies with over 100 employees will also be required to establish and disclose objectives for promoting fathers’ involvement in child-rearing through paternity leave.
The revised bills were approved by both houses of the Japanese parliament, signaling bipartisan support for these important changes in workplace policies.
© KYODO