Japanese minister first to take paternity leave

One of Japan's top ministers is taking paternity leave. This is a first for the country, and a big deal.

Transcript

00:00In order to ensure that my mother does not have any difficulties in her work,

00:06I would like to get two weeks of maternity leave so that she does not have any difficulties in her work,

00:12except for the time of important official duties such as the National Assembly and the Cabinet.

00:30There is no legal system for the welfare of workers.

00:41This is true not only for ministers, but also for politicians.

00:44There is no way of thinking of working hours,

00:47and there is no way of thinking of overtime.

00:50Since it is not stipulated in the law,

00:53it is decided by the organization itself.

00:57This video was made in Cooperation with the Government of Canada.

01:00No part of this recording may be reproduced

01:03without the support of the Canadian Government.

01:27This video was made in Cooperation with the Government of Canada.

01:46I think it was viewed really as an act of treason

01:49for a man to take paternity leave,

01:51and I think the thinking is gradually changing.

01:54This is an area where I think we need a little bit of change in the workplace in Japan.