Japan is grappling with a population crisis as birth rates continue to decline each year. Despite the existence of progressive policies for paid parental leave and childcare, many Japanese mothers face significant challenges in balancing their careers with starting a family, while new fathers rarely utilize paternity leave due to fears of workplace harassment and career setbacks. This paper traces the development of maternity provisions since 1947, highlighting persistent systemic inequalities.Issues such as the prevalence of temporary contracts, the demands of high-pressure jobs, and limited access to affordable childcare have fostered an environment where women are often forced to choose between professional aspirations and parenthood. Meanwhile, entrenched conservative employment practices discourage men from actively participating in caregiving. This study argues that without a fundamental shift in societal attitudes and workplace culture, Japan's efforts to address its population crisis are unlikely to succeed. As other advanced economies begin to encounter similar demographic challenges, examining Japan's experience offers critical lessons for fostering gender equity and sustainable population growth.
Serebriakoff Alexandra (Thu,) studied this question.