～ Report from the Institute for the Study of Life with Babies
- The following is content from the press release -
(Head office: Chuo-ku, Osaka City) https://www.akachan.jpThe "Living with Babies Institute," a survey and research institute of Akachan Honpo (Akachan Honpo), conducted a questionnaire and interview survey of 695 Akachan Honpo Appli members with children, targeting families in which fathers have taken childcare leave. Based on the survey results, a web article summarizing the actual situation of fathers who took childcare leave and their families will be published on the institute's website (Japanese only) from February 12, 2026 (Thu.).https://www.akachan.jp/ah_labo/Published in.
Survey Summary
results (of a study)
Mom's satisfaction with dad's maternity leave, 741 TP6T are "satisfied to somewhat satisfied".
According to the "Basic Survey on Equal Employment" by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the percentage of men taking childcare leave has been increasing year by year, reaching approximately 40% in 2024. In this social climate, we asked mothers how satisfied they were with their father's childcare leave to find out how families who have actually experienced paternity leave rate it,74% of moms are satisfied.It is now clear that
On the other hand, "neither" (10%), "somewhat dissatisfied" (12%), and "dissatisfied" (5%) were combined.27% moms are feeling some frustration.It also brought to light the fact that
A "satisfied" mom talks about the value of paternity leave
The following comments were received from mothers who are "satisfied" with their postpartum paternity leave (childcare leave at birth).
Contributes to postpartum physical and mental recovery
| [Mama A].Satisfaction with paternity leave: Satisfied Duration of paternity leave: 3 months to less than 6 months | She said, "For the first month after childbirth, even if I wanted to move, my body was so ragged I couldn't move. Because she took maternity leave, I was able to leave the housework and washing dishes to her. It was a big help." |
| [Mama C.Satisfaction with paternity leave: Satisfied Duration of paternity leave: 1 month to less than 3 months | I was able to concentrate on my recovery from the C-section and breastfeeding. I was able to focus on recovering from my C-section and breastfeeding." |
The six-week period following childbirth is called the "postpartum period," a time when the mother's mind and body are still restless.
With the support of their fathers during such a difficult time, the mothers were able to focus on their physical and mental recovery.
Emotional support, less loneliness
| [Mama D].Satisfaction with paternity leave: Satisfied Duration of paternity leave: 3 months to less than 6 months | "It helps to know that I'm not alone, not only with childcare and housework, but most of all, after childbirth, which can be emotionally difficult at times." |
| Mama F.Satisfaction with paternity leave: Satisfied Duration of paternity leave: 3 months to less than 6 months | The pressure of having to face the baby alone was eased by the presence of my husband, and I felt much more comfortable. I can now enjoy the luxury of being able to take care of my child." |
Some mothers become mentally unstable after childbirth not only because of physical exhaustion, but also because of changes in hormonal balance and anxiety about childcare. By having the father raise the child from the same perspective and in the same position as the mother, the mother feels reassured that she is not alone, which seems to help alleviate postpartum anxiety.
Shared parenting and marital bonding
| [Mama G]Satisfaction with paternity leave: Satisfied Duration of paternity leave: 6 months to less than 1 year | It was really reassuring to know that there was another adult there to do everything, and it was a happy six months watching them grow together. It made me love my dad even more for raising our child with a sense of ownership as a matter of course." |
| [Mama I.Satisfaction with paternity leave: Satisfied Duration of paternity leave: 1 month to less than 3 months | "We were able to start raising our children together soon after leaving the hospital, so we were able to bathe them, handle their nighttime crying, and feed them milk before the gap in child-rearing experience widened, and we were able to start raising our children in a good relationship where we could rely on each other." |
It is also apparent that the bond between husband and wife is strengthened when mothers and fathers face child-rearing together. It seems that by working together from the very beginning of child-rearing, a "shared experience" is created and couples are able to deepen their understanding of child-rearing together.
Be dependable after maternity leave
| [Mama O].Satisfaction with paternity leave: Satisfied Duration of paternity leave: 1 month to less than 3 months | They develop the same parenting skills, which makes them very competitive when dads return." |
It seems that if fathers acquire good childcare skills during their maternity leave, they will be able to play an active role as "fathers who can take care of children" after returning to work.
What are the "dissatisfaction" factors of about 30% of mothers? ～Short period of time and lack of awareness are influential~.
On the other hand, mothers who responded "dissatisfied - neither" had the following to say.
Short duration of paternity leave
| [Mama Q].Satisfaction with paternity leave: Somewhat dissatisfied Duration of paternity leave: 1 month to less than 3 months | I felt after raising my children that the hard times would continue until they were one year old. I would be very grateful if we could stay together for a year." |
| [Mama R.Satisfaction with paternity leave: Somewhat dissatisfied Duration of paternity leave: 2 weeks to less than 1 month | She took her maternity leave while I was home, and I wanted her to take it when I got home." |
If the father's childcare leave is short, there are cases where the leave ends before the father becomes accustomed to childcare and becomes a dependable presence. There are also those who say that the time when the mother really needs support does not coincide with the time when the father takes childcare leave.
As for the length of time taken for paternity leave, 43% of the respondents took less than one month,12% of fathers take more than 6 months of maternity leave.A variety of acquisition styles have emerged, including the existence of
Disparity in awareness and behavior with fathers
| Mama T.Satisfaction with paternity leave: Somewhat dissatisfied Duration of paternity leave: 3 months to less than 6 months | I was frustrated by the difference in knowledge between myself and her. I was frustrated by the gap in knowledge between myself and them." |
| Mama U.Satisfaction with paternity leave: Somewhat dissatisfied Duration of paternity leave: 1 month to less than 3 months | For the first week or two they did the house, the older kids, but then they got bored and just lived like they were on a long vacation." |
| Mama W.Satisfaction with paternity leave: Somewhat dissatisfied Duration of paternity leave: 2 weeks to less than 1 month | They did pick up and drop off my oldest son.... They didn't do anything to deal with the crying at night or my lack of sleep." |
Because we want them to be there to help us get through childcare together, many of them said that they wished they could have taken longer time off.
It reads like a mother's desire to raise her child together during a difficult time.
Advice from senior fathers that will turn your maternity leave into a "good thing you took".
Senior fathers who actually took childcare leave offered specific advice on how to make the most of their leave.
(1) Discuss with the couple in advance
Papa A.(Period of maternity leave: 6 months)
Ask ahead of time, "What do you want me to do?
Don't be like, 'What am I supposed to do the day I take it?'"
Papa B.(Period of maternity leave: 6 months)
After taking maternity leave, I realized that role-sharing is very important.
I think what a father can do is totally different in some families,
I think it would be good to discuss these things with your wife before she goes on maternity leave."
(2) Determine goals to be achieved during the father's maternity leave period.
Papa C.(Period of maternity leave: 2.5 months)
I had the ultimate goal of being able to handle it all by myself.
Like, I can do that when it's only two and a half months old. Like putting her to bed, feeding her, and putting her in the bathtub.
I accomplished more than I thought I would."
3) Housework skills are acquired before maternity leave
[Papa D.(Period of maternity leave: 1 month)
'I need to start doing housework and stuff before maternity leave.
If I'm unfamiliar with it after maternity leave, I upset my wife and she won't do it (because she doesn't want to be upset).
You can work together to raise the kids, but you should at least ask your wife to do the housework before she goes on maternity leave."
Survey Summary
Research organization: Research Institute for Living with Babies
Survey targets: (1) 695 Akachanhonpo Appli members with children
(2) Men who have taken maternity leave (employees of Group companies and the Company)
Survey method: (1) Internet questionnaire
Individual interview / Group interview
Survey period: (1) Friday, October 17, 2025 - Sunday, October 19, 2025
(2) Thursday, August 28 - Thursday, October 16, 2025
More detailed "Papa Maternity Leave" articles are available!
The article "Mom Satisfaction with Papa Maternity Leave," published by the Institute for Living with Babies, provides an overview of the reality of papa maternity leave based on questionnaires and interviews with current moms and dads.
As useful information from senior mothers and fathers, we hope that mothers and fathers who are thinking of taking maternity leave will use this information to prepare and plan for their maternity leave.
The detailed article can be found at the link below.
https://www.akachan.jp/ah_labo/report/260212
About the Institute for Living with Babies.
The Institute for Living with Babies was established in March 2023 at Akachan Honpo to solve the issues of people involved in "living with babies". We collect information on life and goods and things during pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing, and use it to develop products and services by researching and analyzing insights.
We also aim to realize Smile Childcare by providing information to mothers, fathers, and society, as well as attending to the problems of daily life.
Living with Babies Institute ｜ Akachan Honpo
About Akachan Honpo
Akachan Honpo aims to provide products, services, and information that meet the needs of our customers under the corporate message of "Smile Childcare. Akachan Honpo aims to provide products, services, and information that meet the needs of our customers under the corporate message "Akachan Honpo.
https://www.akachan.jp
