Japan asks businesses to increase support for workers raising children

The Japanese government on May 24 announced a revised law requiring businesses to strengthen support measures for employees raising children.

This is considered one of the measures to improve the situation of the sharp decline in birth rate in this country.

Under the revised law, employees with children over 3 years old but not yet of primary school age will be able to choose between working remotely; working directly with reduced hours compared to normal; or alternating between the two.

This amended Act will come into effect after the Japanese Government issues a decree approving it.

Japanese law previously provided for shorter working hours for employees with children under 3 years old.

Several other legislative amendments are also expected to come into effect in April 2025, including an extension of the deadline for workers to apply for overtime exemptions.

Regulations regarding employees taking leave to care for sick or injured children will also be relaxed, so employees can take time off work if their children have to miss school to avoid spreading infectious diseases at school.

For paternity leave, businesses with more than 100 employees will be allowed to develop and publicize targets to encourage male employees to participate in child rearing.