Key Facts
• 2025 survey shows men’s parental leave uptake averages 66.8%.
• Companies with over 60% uptake rose from 33.5% (2023) to 62.9% (2025).
• 122 companies reported uptake rates between 90–100%.
• Workplace support includes bonuses for colleagues covering parental leave.
• Female managerial roles remain low, averaging 9.1%, with 40.6% of firms below 5%.
• Gender pay gap slightly narrowed to 72% (women’s pay vs. men’s).
• Digitalized industries show smaller pay gaps, with information technology at 77.7%.
Summary
A 2025 survey by the Japan Productivity Center highlights a significant rise in men’s parental leave uptake among listed companies, averaging 66.8%. Companies with over 60% uptake increased to 62.9%, reflecting growing corporate support, including bonuses for colleagues covering leave. However, female managerial representation remains low at 9.1%, with 40.6% of firms below 5%. The gender pay gap slightly improved to 72%, with digitalized industries showing the smallest disparities. These trends underline evolving workplace dynamics and the impact of corporate policies on gender equity.
