Parental leave in Japan (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: Women stop work for 8 weeks after birth and can stop for 6 weeks before it, and an employee can take up to 4 weeks of birth-time childcare leave within 8 weeks of the birth. Childcare leave runs until the child's first birthday, extendable to 2 years in special cases, with Employment Insurance benefits of 67% for the first 180 days and 50% after. Dismissal or unfavourable treatment for taking childcare leave is banned.

RuleWhat applies
Maternity leaveTaking parental leaveThe employer may not let a woman work for 8 weeks after birth, or 6 weeks if she requests it and a doctor approves the work. A woman who requests it can stop work from 6 weeks before the expected birth (14 weeks for a multiple pregnancy). [1]
Paternity leaveTaking parental leaveAn employee can take birth-time childcare leave of up to 4 weeks within 8 weeks after the child's birth (counted from the due date if the child is born late). The leave can be split into up to 2 periods. [2]
Parental leaveTaking parental leaveAn employee can take childcare leave until the child's first birthday, normally in up to 2 periods. In special cases set by ministerial order it can be extended to 1 year 6 months and then to 2 years. [2]
Pay during leaveTaking parental leaveThe Employment Insurance childcare leave benefit is 67% of the daily wage before the leave for the first 180 days of leave and 50% after that. The birth-time childcare leave benefit is 67% for up to 28 days, and a post-birth leave support benefit adds 13% of the daily wage for up to 28 days when conditions are met. [3]
Job protectionTaking parental leaveAn employer may not dismiss a worker or treat them unfavourably because they applied for or took childcare leave or birth-time childcare leave. [2]

Notes

  • Under the Health Insurance Act (art. 102) a maternity allowance is paid for the period without work from 42 days before the birth (98 for multiples) to 56 days after, at two thirds of the standard daily remuneration (calculated as for the sickness allowance in art. 99).
  • The benefit needs at least 12 months of insured period in the 2 years before the leave. The extra 13% benefit has further conditions, including that the spouse also takes leave in the first 8 weeks, unless an exception applies.
  • The Labour Standards Act (art. 19) bars dismissal during maternity leave under art. 65 and for 30 days after it, except where the employer pays compensation under art. 81 or business cannot continue because of a natural disaster or similar cause, which needs official approval.

Sources

  1. e-Gov 法令検索 (Digital Agency): 労働基準法 (昭和二十二年法律第四十九号) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. e-Gov 法令検索 (Digital Agency): 育児休業、介護休業等育児又は家族介護を行う労働者の福祉に関する法律 (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  3. e-Gov 法令検索 (Digital Agency): 雇用保険法 (昭和四十九年法律第百十六号) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.