Key Facts
• Starting October 2025, Sumitomo Mitsui mandates one-month paternity leave for male employees.
• $340 (¥50,000) bonus provided to employees and their colleagues in the same department.
• Policy applies to all 24,000 employees, including women taking maternity leave.
• Previous policy allowed up to 1.5 years of paternity leave but was optional.
• In 2023, 100% of male employees took leave, averaging 12 days, below the 30-day target.
• New initiative aims to foster workplace support and improve team dynamics.
• Bonuses for colleagues aim to celebrate leave-taking and enhance employee retention.
Summary
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation will require male employees to take one month of paternity leave starting October 2025. To encourage participation, the company will provide a $340 (¥50,000) bonus to both the employee and their colleagues in the same department. This policy, which also applies to women taking maternity leave, targets all 24,000 employees. Previously, paternity leave was optional, with an average leave duration of 12 days in 2023, despite a 100% participation rate. The initiative aims to create a supportive workplace culture, improve team collaboration, and enhance employee retention by celebrating leave-taking across the organization.
