- The following is content from the press release -

In FY2024, the rate of male employees taking maternity leave reached a record high of 40.5%.
While "taking maternity leave is becoming the norm," new issues are emerging in the workplace.
On September 19, a day to think about childcare leave, an NPO, Fathering Japan (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Tetsuya Ando))(Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Atsuko Horie, President and CEO) will hold a special event to discuss a new way to make childcare leave a "win" for everyone involved.
Event Highlights
At this event, fathers who have taken maternity leave, their partners, colleagues at work, and human resources staff will share their experiences and challenges from their respective perspectives, and think about "What is the best maternity leave for everyone?" and think about "What is the best childcare leave for everyone?
Part I: Experienced and Experts Talk about the Best Maternity Leave
Dads who have experienced long-term maternity leave talk about how they made the best of it.
In addition, Atsuko Horie, President of Thrille Corporation, who has provided consulting services to many companies, will talk about the challenges faced by companies and how to overcome them to make male maternity leave a benefit to their organizations.
Part 2: "Recommendations for Taking Long-term Maternity Leave" Roundtable Discussion
A society in which long-term maternity leave is the norm for both men and women would be better off, wouldn't it?" Three fathers from Fathering Japan will discuss this bold proposal.
We will share tips on how to move on to the next phase of your career, including taking maternity leave and balancing it with your career beyond.
Outline of the event
Date and time:Friday, September 19, 2025, 12:00-13:30
Method of holding:Online (Zoom meetings)
Participation Fee:free
Sponsored by:NPO Fathering Japan / Thrile Corporation
Joining and leaving in the middle of the event is OK.
*The program is subject to change without notice.
*Possible distribution of recordings of the day's events
*If there are too many applications, there is a possibility of being selected by lottery.
Recommended for
Those who are considering taking male maternity leave in the future.
Corporate human resources personnel (those involved in the promotion of male maternity leave)
Field Manager.
Those who want to get new tips on how to work and their career.
Introduction of Speakers
- Kaori Hayashida
Director, Fathering Japan NPO / Representative, Wanda Life LLP / Member, Co-education Project Promotion Committee, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
(She is a mother of three siblings and has been a speaker at numerous training seminars on returning to work, balancing work and promoting maternity leave.) - Atsuko Horie
President and Representative Director, Thrille Corporation
(Promotes "creating human resources and organizations for career advancement while raising children. She serves on various committees and as a university lecturer.) - Takashi Yamaguchi
Member of Fathering Japan / Worked in the education industry
(Children: 6, 4, and 0. Took a total of 9 months of maternity leave.) - Ken Koseki
Fathering Japan Member / Worked in IT industry
(Children: 4 & 1 year old. Total of 14 months of maternity leave.) - Wataru Nakayama
Member of Fathering Japan / U.S. Certified Public Accountant
(Child: 5 years old; took 6 months maternity leave.) - Yuichi Hiramatsu
Member of Fathering Japan / Freelance Video Editor
(Children: 7-year-old male and female twins; 1 year and 1 month maternity leave.) - Facilitator: Toshiaki Takahashi
Director, Papa to Children General Incorporated Association
(Children: 10 and 6 years old. Total of 9 months plus 2 weeks of maternity leave.)
How to apply
Please register through the following Peatix page:
Event registration page (Peatix)
Now that the rate of male employees taking maternity leave has reached an all-time high, we need to rethink the "best maternity leave for everyone.
We hope that this event will help to expand the possibilities of maternity leave and enrich the way you raise your children and work.
About NPO Fathering Japan
A leader in fatherhood support established in November 2006. A non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the number of "laughing fathers" rather than "good fathers" by understanding and spreading the concept of "Fathering = Let's enjoy being a father" through fatherhood support programs. 2018 Prime Minister's Award.
Representative Director and Founder: Tetsuya Ando
Number of members: about 300 nationwide, including affiliated organizations
〒101-0054
Chiyoda Platform Square 1320, 3-21 Kanda Nishiki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
https://fathering.jp/index.html
For inquiries, please contact
NPO Fathering Japan Secretariat: gyoumu@fathering.jp
Contact form:https://tinyurl.com/2pa83n2r