Table of Contents

• Parenting cartoon: “We are a family, so equality is a given.”
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “TOKYO Round-Table Conference for Women to Shine! Let’s find each dad’s style!

Parenting cartoon: “We are a family, so equality is a given.”

Profile
Eiichi
After working for a design company in Tokyo, he became a freelance illustrator. He is a hard-working father who creates animation, manga, and illustrations, including winning the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival’s International Short Film Showcase Division Excellence in Animation Award.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “TOKYO Gathering for Women to Shine! Let’s find each dad’s style!

　Discussing the Promotion of Men’s Participation in Housework and Childcare “TOKYO Round-Table Conference for Women to Shine – Workplace Changes! Changing Workplaces, Changing Consciousness! ～Let’s start with Dad’s Style” (hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government) was held on February 16 at the Tokyo Women’s Plaza. Here is a report on the event.

The importance of looking out for employees’ families

　First, opening talk was given by Mr. Fumiaki Koizumi, Chairman of the Board of Mercari, who has taken childcare leave twice as a manager. Mr. Koizumi shared his own experience of childcare leave and cited the increasing number of managers and employees taking childcare leave at startup companies around him as an example of the importance of paying attention to the families of employees in order to become a company of choice.

Men’s Participation in Housework and Childcare Necessary for Women’s Advancement

　The moderator, Kaori Hayashida, President of Wanderlife LLP, then pointed out issues that emerged from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “Survey on Men’s Participation in Housework and Childcare,” and stressed the importance of promoting men’s participation in housework and childcare. The symposium then got underway with the participation of Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, Mr. Koizumi of Mercari, and Takatoshi Kaneko, actor, TV personality, and father of two.

First, Governor Koike spoke about his enthusiasm for promoting men’s participation in housework and childcare. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has been considering the strategic vision for the future with a focus on the ‘people’ who will be responsible for Tokyo. In order for women, who make up half of the population, to play an active role, it is necessary for men to participate in housework and childcare. To this end, I feel it is important to change the mindset of men.”

Company provides financial support for childcare

　The key to promoting men’s participation in housework and childcare is corporate initiatives. To this end, Mr. Koizumi of Mercari introduced his company’s “merci box” welfare program, which provides congratulatory money after returning to work after maternity or childcare leave. This system focuses on financial support by the company, such as providing congratulatory money after returning to work after maternity or childcare leave, covering pregnancy and sick child care expenses, and compensating the difference between unlicensed and licensed daycare centers. Ms. Koizumi explained the reason for establishing the system.

　We believe that the absence of anxiety about the family is the basis for positive work. After the birth of a child, money is inevitably needed. It is important to provide financial support to employees. As a result of these efforts, almost 100% of our female employees have returned to work after maternity or childcare leave, and 81% of our male employees have also taken childcare leave. Employees are more motivated after returning to work because they have time to spend with their families.

　Another key point in promoting men’s participation in housework and childcare is the way they work. Telework, which allows people to work from home, is attracting attention, and Governor Koike emphasized his intention to use the “Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games” as an opportunity to promote telework.

Positive attitude of employees taking maternity leave creates a good atmosphere in the workplace

　According to the “Survey on Men’s Participation in Housework and Childcare” conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, approximately 80% of men were unable to take childcare leave or other leave as they wished. What is the workplace atmosphere like at Mercari, where 81% of men have taken childcare leave?

　First of all, I think it was significant that I, as a manager, took the maternity leave, as it sent a message from the company. In addition, it is also very important that those who have returned from maternity leave are working with peace of mind. They view maternity leave in a positive light and make positive comments about it. This has led to an atmosphere in the workplace where taking childcare leave is a matter of course.

　Mr. Koizumi cited another key point for promoting male employees to take maternity leave.
　It is important to be open about what is going on in the workplace. One of the reasons why men do not take childcare leave is that they are worried that things have progressed while they were away and they will not know what is going on when they return. At Mercari, we have adopted various information sharing tools so that we can check what is going on in the company even during childcare leave.

Change in working style and workplace atmosphere in the entertainment industry.

　Is the workplace atmosphere changing in the entertainment industry? Kaneko-san says, “The atmosphere in the workplace is changing.

　There are an increasing number of entertainers who are actively communicating how they are taking care of their children while doing their jobs well, and in the field of TV work, people are beginning to talk about ‘reforming the way people work,’ and we are seeing changes in the way staff members work. For example, filming on Saturdays and Sundays is decreasing. I also feel that the number of female staff members raising children has increased.”

　So how is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government promoting the use of childcare leave? Governor Koike explained the efforts.
　In order to realize life-work balance, all managers in Tokyo have declared themselves as “ikubos” (bosses). In addition, last fiscal year, as part of the “Supporting Fathers’ Participation in Childcare Project,” a planning sheet was distributed to fathers when they found out their spouse was pregnant, and they began meeting with their supervisors to discuss leave requests and other issues. As a result, the percentage of male employees in Tokyo taking childcare leave is now 14.6%. It is still a small percentage, but it is definitely increasing compared to the past.

Importance of discussion and division of roles between husband and wife

　We have learned that the work environment needs to be improved in order to promote men’s participation in housework and childcare. So what is needed at home? Mr. Kaneko spoke passionately about his own behavior at home.

　Just because we are a married couple doesn’t mean we can’t get everything right. There will be times when we clash. However, I think it is important to face those times without running away from them. I like to talk with people, so after the children go to bed, my wife and I discuss recent events and the children’s lessons. When I am at home, I also cook. When a typhoon hit, I thought, ‘This is where a father should come in,’ and I took disaster-prevention measures for the house. I think the most important thing is my wife’s feelings. I want to see her smile. I am always thinking about what I can do to make my wife smile.

　Koizumi’s situation at home was this.
　I leave most of the weekday evenings to my wife to take care of the household, so that leaves me to cook meals in the morning and take the kids to school. Then there are the weekends. Some days I wonder how many diapers I change in the morning. My wife is a former co-worker, so she understands when I am busy. I appreciate that.”

　Meanwhile, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is also focusing on supporting moms and dads. Governor Koike explained the policies of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
　The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is providing sustainable support based on the Children First philosophy of putting children first. For example, from the next fiscal year, under the title of the “Tokyo Moms and Dads Support Project,” the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will dispatch “housework and childcare supporters” such as babysitters and housework support helpers to reduce the burden of housework and childcare immediately after childbirth, provide families with one-year-old children with childcare support information and assess their family situation, and provide support We will also provide families with one-year-old children with various support measures, such as distributing childcare packages with messages of support, and strengthening support for families with multiple children.”

Synergistic effects of changes at home and at work

　Summarizing the guests’ talks on efforts at work and at home, moderator Ms. Hayashida pointed out the following points.
　The home and the workplace seem to be inextricably linked. I thought the two should be seamless and create a synergistic effect.”

　Mr. Koizumi of Mercari seems to have the same view.
　At my previous workplace, I saw a woman who returned to work after giving birth change her work so dramatically and so quickly that I realized that family has a significant impact on one’s work. The reason why we focus on family support at Mercari is because we expect a synergistic effect that this will have a positive impact on our work. I feel that a better life-work balance will help the company grow.”

There’s more than one dad’s style.

　Opinions were exchanged from the perspectives of the workplace, the family, and the relationship between the workplace and the family at this symposium. The symposium concluded with messages from the three speakers.

　Let’s start with Mr. Kaneko.
　I feel that there is a lot of joy, happiness, and discovery ahead as we face housework and childcare in our search. So, let’s work hard together!”

　The following message from Koizumi.
　We believe that there are 100 different fathers and 100 different fathers’ styles. Each couple will have their own strengths and weaknesses, and the division of roles between husband and wife will differ from family to family. We believe that communication at home is important to establish their own style. Also, in order to change the workplace environment and work style, mutual understanding among workers is necessary. Communication is important here as well.”

　Finally, Governor Koike spoke of his determination to promote men’s participation in housework and childcare.
　I felt once again that supporting women’s activities through men’s participation in housework and childcare will lead to the creation of a sustainable society. When women shine, men shine. And when mothers and fathers shine, their children shine. And when children shine, the generations to come will shine as well. Tokyo is what it is when people shine. I would like to continue to promote measures with people as the pillar.