Society

Major gender gap in Japan's perceptions of childcare duties: survey

TOKYO, Dec 11 (News On Japan) - A survey by Sumitomo Life on household chores and childcare revealed a significant discrepancy between men's and women's perceptions of their respective burdens. While men believe they are reasonably sharing the load, women feel a substantially heavier burden in comparison to men.

The survey, conducted among 1,000 married men and women aged between 20 to 60 with children under 18, found that while men's perception of the division of household and childcare duties was nearly the same between their 'ideal' (husband 4.5 : wife 5.5) and 'reality' (husband 4.0 : wife 6.0), there was a significant gap in women's perception between their 'ideal' (husband 4.4 : wife 5.6) and 'reality' (husband 2.6 : wife 7.4).

Men feel they are contributing significantly, but women's assessments starkly differ from this.

Regarding the desired number of children, the survey revealed that while the 'ideal' average was 2.4 children, the 'reality' was only 1.8 children.

The main reason for having fewer children than desired was "current income is insufficient to raise the 'ideal' number of children" (37.8%), followed by "concerns about high living costs" (17.7%), and "heavy burden due to high share in household and childcare duties" (14.4%).

Source: ANNnewsCH

What Is Sanaenomics?

The economic policy bannered by Prime Minister Takaichi as “Sanaenomics” is beginning to take shape, with expectations centering on lower gasoline prices and the restart of electricity and gas subsidies even as critics say the program’s substance remains unclear and insufficiently developed; framed as a successor to Abenomics with greater emphasis on growth strategy, the plan raises questions about what will change in people’s daily lives and how the administration intends to run policy behind the scenes.

Typhoon No. 26 Forming, May Impact Japan

As of 3 p.m. on November 5th, a tropical depression over the sea near the Caroline Islands was slowly moving northward, with the Japan Meteorological Agency forecasting that it would develop into a typhoon within the next 24 hours. Once it forms, it will be designated as Typhoon No. 26.

Morning-After Pill to Be Sold Over the Counter by Year-End

Emergency contraceptive pills, used to prevent unintended pregnancies, are set to become available over the counter in Japan as early as by the end of this fiscal year, marking a major shift after nearly a decade of debate.

Crimes by U.S. Military Personnel Hit Record High in Okinawa

The number of U.S. military personnel arrested for criminal offenses in Okinawa has reached 77 so far this year, already surpassing the record total for all of 2024 as of the end of September.

Japan to Tighten Visa Rules on Foreigners Behind on Health Insurance

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare plans to introduce a new system starting in June 2027 that will, in principle, deny changes or renewals of residence status for foreign residents who fail to pay their national health insurance premiums despite repeated requests for payment.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Ikebukuro Bar Manager Re-Arrested for Forcing Female Staff Into Sex Work

A bar manager and his female employee in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district were re-arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department on suspicion of forcing a female staff member to work under threat and violence, after previously being detained for compelling her to engage in prostitution.

Crimes by U.S. Military Personnel Hit Record High in Okinawa

The number of U.S. military personnel arrested for criminal offenses in Okinawa has reached 77 so far this year, already surpassing the record total for all of 2024 as of the end of September.

13 Japanese Among 57 Foreigners Detained in Cambodia Fraud Base Raid

Thirteen Japanese nationals are among 57 foreigners detained in a police raid on a special fraud base in southeastern Cambodia, according to local reports. Footage captured by JNN showed Cambodian authorities raiding a facility believed to be used for large-scale international scams.