Labour ministry launch panel to raise Japan’s birthrate by adjusting workstyle

The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare have launched a panel of experts to discuss ways to raise Japan’s birthrate from the standpoint of workstyle reforms.

The panel, made up of seven experts, held the first meeting on Thursday on the theme of how to balance work with child-rearing.

Among the members are a university professor well-versed in labor management and an editor of an online media outlet that targets the child-raising generation.

A ministry official reported that men in Japan spend an average of two hours a day doing household chores and taking care of children, which is low based on an international comparison. The official said long working hours are likely responsible.

The official also cited a government survey that polled women who quit as full-time, regular employees when they became pregnant or gave birth. About 40 percent of them say they found it difficult to manage both their work duties and childcare.

Other data show less than 20 percent of companies have flextime or teleworking systems ready to support working mothers.

A panel member said enabling workers to adjust their working life to prioritize childcare would help, rather than adjusting childcare to conform to the workload.

Another said the panel should discuss how to create a fair workplace environment, where not just those raising children but all workers find it easy to continue working.

The panel plans to hear from businesses and labor unions and discuss the need for system reforms and support measures. It is expected to compile a report around May.

Reversing the country’s falling birthrate is among the government’s key policy goals.