Flexible work measures for childrearing years, and individual notification and intention checks before a child turns 3More choices in how to work for people raising young children
Under the amended Childcare and Family Care Leave Act in force from October 2025 (Reiwa 7), employers must choose and provide at least two of five measures for employees raising a child aged 3 up to elementary school age. They must also individually notify employees and confirm their intentions before the child turns 3, and listen to and give consideration to individual wishes about balancing work and childrearing.
- October 1, 2025 (Reiwa 7)The relevant parts of the amended Act come into force
- The day after the day after the child reaches 1 year 11 monthsThe notification and intention check period begins
- The day after the child reaches 2 years 11 monthsThe period ends (up to one month before the 3rd birthday)
- From age 3 until elementary schoolThe period in which the chosen measures can be used
Key points
- The five measures are: changing start times (flextime or staggered commuting), telework on 10 or more days a month, setting up and operating childcare facilities, childcare-support leave of 10 or more days a year, and a shorter-hours system (including, in principle, 6 hours a day)
- Individual notification is given during the one-year period up to one month before the child's 3rd birthday (from the day after the day after the child reaches 1 year 11 months until the day after the child reaches 2 years 11 months)
- Items to notify: the content of the chosen measures, where to apply, and the systems limiting non-scheduled work, overtime and late-night work. Methods include interviews, documents, fax and email (fax and email only if the employee requests them)
- Intention checks are done when the employee reports pregnancy or childbirth and before the child turns 3, asking about working hours, work location, period of use and working conditions
What to do in practice
- Decide which measures (two or more) your company will offer, and update work rules and the childcare and family care leave regulations
- Manage the timing of notification and intention checks according to the child's age, and keep records
Companies must now prepare several easy-to-use options, such as shifting working hours or working from home, for people who work while raising children. Before a child turns 3, the company also explains these options.
- 1. PrepareThe company sets up at least two usable options
- 2. ExplainBefore the child turns 3, the company tells each person
- 3. Ask wishesThe company asks about preferred working hours and places
- 4. UseThe person works while using the option that fits their wishes
Points
- A company prepares at least two options for people raising children from age 3 until they start elementary school
- A little before a child turns 3, the company tells each person what options are available
- The company asks first how the person would like to work, and considers it as far as it can
What the words mean
- Staggered commuting
- Shifting the times you arrive at and leave work
- Intention check
- Asking the person what they want and making sure
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW): MHLW: Guide for Employers to the Childcare and Family Care Leave Act (parts in force from October 2025, Reiwa 7)
This article summarizes and explains materials published by government agencies and is not advice on any individual case. Rules can change, so for actual procedures and decisions always check the latest original materials and consult professionals such as tax accountants or labor and social security attorneys. English, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese versions are translations prepared from the Japanese articles for convenience. If anything differs, the Japanese text and the original source take precedence.