A: Hey there! Did you know about the latest news?
B: No, what's up?

A: It looks like more guys are taking paternity leave now!
B: Really? How many are we talking about?

A: Well, about 40% of male workers took childcare leave last year. That's a record high!
B: Whoa, that's a big increase! What's the reason behind it?

A: They surveyed many businesses across Japan and found out that the law requiring companies to offer paternity leave has become more popular. More guys are aware of it now, which might be why they're taking it up.
B: That makes sense. I wonder if more women are taking childcare leave too?

A: Yeah, around 87% of women did. But the good news is that both numbers are going up!
B: That's great to hear! The government wants to increase the take-up rate even more, right?

A: Yep! They aim to have 50% of men taking paternity leave this year and 85% by 2030.
B: Wow, that's a big goal! Let's hope it becomes the norm soon!
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A Japanese government survey has found that the percentage of male corporate workers who took childcare leave hit a record high in fiscal 2024, at just over 40 percent.



The labor and welfare ministry surveyed 6,300 businesses across the country last October. Some 3,300 businesses responded.



Among men whose spouses gave birth during the year through September 2023, 40.5 percent of them began taking paternity leave by October 1 last year.



The figure is the highest ever, up 10.4 percentage points from the previous fiscal year.



The proportion of women who took childcare leave was 86.6 percent, up 2.5 points.



Based on the law on childcare and family care leave that was revised three years ago, businesses are obliged to confirm whether employees who report pregnancy or childbirth would like to take childcare leave.



A system that allows male employees to take paternity leave of up to four weeks within eight weeks of childbirth has also started.



Ministry officials say that these measures are now widely known and this may have led to the increase in the take-up rate.



The government plans to raise the take-up rate to 50 percent by the end of this year, and 85 percent by 2030.
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Quiz 1:
What was the percentage of male corporate workers who took childcare leave in fiscal 2024?
A. Less than 30%
B. Exactly 40%
C. More than 50%
D. Could not be determined from the information provided

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 1: B

Quiz 2:
The highest percentage of male corporate workers taking childcare leave was recorded in which fiscal year?
A. Fiscal 2023
B. Fiscal 2024
C. Fiscal 2025
D. Fiscal 2026

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 2: B

Quiz 3:
According to the law on childcare and family care leave, businesses are obliged to do what regarding employees who report pregnancy or childbirth?
A. Confirm whether they would like to take childcare leave
B. Provide them with a system for maternity leave
C. Ensure they receive equal pay as their male counterparts
D. None of the above

[Answer block]
Answers: Quiz 3: A