Overview of Maternity and Childcare Leave Rules in Japan

1. Maternity Leave (産前産後休業 / Sanzen Sango Kyūgyō)

📅 When?

• Before birth (産前 / Sanzen): You can request leave starting 6 weeks before your expected delivery date (14 weeks if you’re expecting twins or more).

• After birth (産後 / Sango):

  • You are legally required to rest for at least 8 weeks after delivery.

  • However, from 6 weeks onward, you may return to work if your doctor approves and your employer agrees.

💴 Do I get paid?

• You will not receive a salary, but you can apply for the Maternity Allowance (出産手当金 / Shussan Teatekin) from your health insurance (健康保険).

• It pays about two-thirds (⅔) of your regular salary per day during the leave.

📄 Official source (Japanese PDF):
出産手当金の案内（厚生労働省）

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2. Childcare Leave (育児休業 / Ikuji Kyūgyō)

📅 When?

• You can take childcare leave after maternity leave ends, typically until your child turns 1 year old (extendable to 18 months or 2 years under special conditions).

• You must submit your request to your employer 1 month before your planned leave start date.

  • So if you plan to start right after giving birth, this means you’ll need to submit within 2 weeks after the birth.

💴 What support do I get?

You can apply for Childcare Leave Benefits (育児休業給付金 / Ikuji Kyūgyō Kyūfukin) from employment insurance (雇用保険):

📄 Official explanation (Japanese):
育児休業給付制度｜厚生労働省

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3. Postnatal Leave Support Benefit (出生後休業支援給付金) – New from April 2025

This is new support starting April 2025, to encourage both parents to take leave shortly after childbirth.

🎯 Conditions:

• Both parents must take at least 14 days of childcare leave each during the first 8 weeks after childbirth (the “postnatal period”).

• Applies regardless of whether you’re the birth mother or father.

💴 Benefit:

• You still get the regular 67% from employment insurance, plus an extra 13% from this new system.

• That means a total of 80% of your salary, which is roughly equal to your usual take-home pay after tax.

📄 Official page (Japanese):
育児休業等給付制度｜厚生労働省
制度変更のお知らせ note記事（厚労省）

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TABLE: Summary Timeline Example (if your due date is …)

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🕒 Total Length of Maternity Leave (産前産後休業)

✅ Standard Case (Single Birth):

• 産前 (Before birth):

  • Up to 6 weeks before your due date

  • Voluntary (you apply for it)

• 産後 (After birth):

  • Minimum 8 weeks after birth

  • Mandatory at least 6 weeks

    • You cannot return to work before 6 weeks.

    • Between 6–8 weeks, you can return only if your doctor says it’s OK and your employer agrees.

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📌 So in total:

• Standard total = 6 weeks before + 8 weeks after = 14 weeks

  • You must take at least 12 weeks (6 before + 6 after)

  • The last 2 weeks (weeks 7–8 after birth) are flexible depending on doctor approval

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📝 Special Case:

• For multiple births (twins or more):

  • You can take 14 weeks before birth instead of 6.