Kitakyushu City has introduced a new subsidy program encouraging companies to support male employees who use reduced working hours for childcare. Under the scheme, businesses will receive JPY100,000 when a male employee becomes the company’s first user of a childcare-related short-time work arrangement lasting at least 28 days. The city previously offered incentives for first-time male childcare leave users and awarded subsidies to 23 companies. Officials said feedback from mothers suggested that extended reduced working hours can sometimes be more beneficial than a short period of full childcare leave. The city hopes the initiative will help normalize greater paternal involvement in childcare while supporting family-friendly workplaces. Source: NHK News / Kitakyushu City
Photo: Kitakyushu City Film Commission
Get Fukuoka and Kyushu’s top stories delivered to your inbox. The Now is Fukuoka Now’s free biweekly newsletter featuring local news, events, culture, business, and community updates in English. Subscribe to The Now
Summaries based on public content, errors may occur during translation. Images credited independently. Send feedback using this form.