Family policy in Japan
[4] Japanese industrialisation was originally localised in the textile production sector which relied heavily on the participation of women.
The Japanese government frequently introduced reforms during periods of rapid industrialisation and war, but slowed its efforts during times of peace.
[9] As construction slowly replaced textiles and mining as the dominant industry, the workforce became more male-dominated and many daycare centers were closed.
The Factory Act of 1911 set minimum standards for health and safety by limiting the workday to twelve hours for women and children, as well as introducing a five-week maternity leave policy.
[7] The 1947 Child Welfare Law introduced benefits such as provisions for daycare centers and mother-child housing to accommodate those widowed and orphaned during World War II.
[7] Revisions to the law in 1951 limited access to state-funded childcare to children who were “lacking care” (hoiku ni kakeru kodomo) and established a placement system (sochi seido) with varying fees calculated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Childcare centers managed by the state and non-profit groups conformed to the eight hours of care a day mandated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and could only accept children through the placement program.
In recent years, major concerns about the fertility rate and childcare services has arisen from the Japanese public and government.
[18]Government reconsidered its aim and based on an ideology of self-reliance and strong family ties during the oil crisis in the middle of 1970s, they started to target the children who most needed the benefit by increasing the amount of reward money.
[25] Parental and childcare policies are meant to provide higher income but result in increase in mother-service at work and lower home involvement with children.
Take-up rate is affected when parental leave policies are not taken advantage of since it lowers economic standing and reduces job continuity.
“[Men form the core of the labor force and women provide social care that takes place at the family and societal levels]”.
[26] Friendly policies are meant to promote a work-life balance and provide parental satisfaction to accomplish stronger family ties.
[26] Subsidized childcare produce crowd funding with informal grandparental care, especially in a nuclear family oriented with the mother employed.
[25] When associated with choices between home-work responsibilities, a mother's leisure and productivity of “human capital” is in jeopardy since it falls with the aging of a child.
