For dads in Japan
Paternity leave in Japan: notice and pay
All English guides for dads日本語で読む
Checked: ・ Written by: Hiroshi editorial team ・ No health content (numbers checked against official sources) ・ Editorial policy (JA)
Postpartum paternity leave (sango papa ikukyu) is up to 28 days within 8 weeks of the birth, in up to 2 parts, on top of regular childcare leave※. It pays 67% of your wages※, and 13% more for up to 28 days if you take 14+ days and mom also takes leave※.
Whether you get the benefit depends on your employment insurance record in Japan (see Do you qualify?).
Postnatal papa leave sits inside the first 8 weeks; regular leave runs to age 1. The benefit is 67% for the first 180 days, then 50%.
What 28 days of paternity leave pays
| Monthly salary (gross) | 28 days, with the 13% top-up |
|---|---|
| 300,000 yen | 224,000 yen |
| 500,000 yen | 370,495 yen |
Two kinds of leave
| Postpartum paternity leave | Regular childcare leave | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Within 8 weeks of birth | Until the child turns 1※ |
| Length | Up to 28 days | Until age 1 |
| Split | Up to 2 parts | Up to 2 parts※ |
| Notice | Generally 2 weeks before※ | 1 month before※ |
Take-home pay
The benefit is not taxed※, and health insurance and pension premiums are waived for months where you are on leave at month-end※. With the top-up, MHLW describes it as about 100% of take-home pay※.
Do you qualify?
You need 12 months with 11+ paid days in the 2 years before leave※. Recently moved to Japan or changed jobs? Check this first.
Plan the dates during pregnancy, then see the first two weeks and birth money.
Where to file after the birth: birth registration and child allowance.
In 2 minutes
Leave benefit calculator (Japanese)Once a week, by email
Every week, in the app
Join the beta (TestFlight, free)Sources and check dates
- Postpartum paternity leave: up to 4 weeks (28 days) within 8 weeks of the birth, in up to 2 parts, separate from regular childcare leave.
厚労省 母性健康管理サイト 産後パパ育休 - For postpartum paternity leave (sango papa ikukyu), notice is generally 2 weeks before the start (up to 1 month if a labour-management agreement says so).
育児・介護休業法 第9条の3第3項・第4項 / 厚労省 母性健康管理サイト - For regular childcare leave, give notice 1 month before the start, or the employer may push the start date back.
育児・介護休業法 第6条第3項 - Regular childcare leave can also be taken in up to 2 parts.
厚労省 母性健康管理サイト - Regular childcare leave runs until the child turns 1 (in up to 2 parts).
育児・介護休業法 第5条第1項・第2項 - Childcare leave benefit: 67% of wages for the first 180 days, 50% after that. Days on postpartum paternity leave count toward the 180.
厚生労働省 育児休業等給付の内容と支給申請手続(2026年8月1日改訂版) - Postnatal leave support benefit: an extra 13% of wages for up to 28 days, if the dad takes 14+ days within 8 weeks of the birth and (in principle) the mom also takes 14+ days.
厚労省 育児休業給付 シミュレーター FAQ - With the top-up, the benefit rate is 80%, about 100% of take-home pay (MHLW).
厚労省 育児休業制度特設ページ - Childcare leave benefits are not subject to income tax.
雇用保険法 第61条の6第5項(第12条 公課の禁止を準用) - Health insurance and pension premiums are waived for any month in which you are on leave at the month's end (or 14+ days within one month).
日本年金機構 育児休業等期間中の保険料免除 - Daily wage cap 16,540 yen (1 Aug 2026 to 31 Jul 2027): monthly maximum 332,454 yen at 67%, 248,100 yen at 50%.
厚労省 母性健康管理サイト(令和8年8月1日からの支給限度額)/ シミュレーター FAQ - To get the leave benefit you need 12 months with 11+ paid days (or 80+ hours) in the 2 years before leave.
厚生労働省 育児休業等給付の内容と支給申請手続(2026年8月1日改訂版)