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		Would you like to know what it is like to raise a child/children in Japan? This series explores current childcare and parenting issues from a Japanese mother's point of view. The article covers research findings related to each topic below. by Teruko Kagohashi

Full-time Mothers of Young Children in Japan

(Jan. 21, 2005)

Close examination of the situations of Japanese full-time mothers of young children reveals various issues that go beyond the conventional debate over working mothers vs. full-time mothers.

1. Shortage of Daycare Centers in Japan

Shortage of daycare centers, particularly in urban areas, is becoming both a political issue and personal issue in Japan.

2. Japanese Daycare Centers: Approved (ninka) and Unapproved (muninka)

The article explains types of daycare centers in Japan and the major differences among them.

3. The Public Discourse on the Quality of Daycare Centers

The Japanese childcare industry is in transition as it moves toward privatization and deregulation to tackle the shortage of daycare centers and offer a range of services. But what has been done to assure the quality of centers? Find out more.

4. Childcare Quality of Japanese Approved Daycare Centers

Japanese Approved Daycare Centers are said to be of high quality. What is the rationale behind this claim? Find out more.

5. Creating a Parenting Friendly Society:
Recent Framework Set by the National Government

In order to halt the declining birth rate, the Japanese government has been implementing various measures to achieve a "children and parenting friendly society". What is the update on national policies?

6. Creating a Parenting-Friendly Society: Examples of Municipal Initiatives

Japanese parents consider the hardest thing in childcare/rearing to be the financial burden, followed by the physical energy and patience required for taking care of children. What kinds of initiatives are taken by municipalities to reduce parents' anxiety?

7. Creating a Parenting-Friendly Society: Corporate Efforts

Currently, Japanese companies with over 300 employees are busy coming up with the strategies to make their companies parenting-friendly. What can they actually do? Find out more!