저출산 극복과 일가정양립을 위한 일본의 유연한 일하는 방식 확대에 관한 연구 -일본의 육아개호휴업법 개정 동향을 중심으로-

Abstract

This study examined the recent situation surrounding the revision of Japan’s Act on Childcare Leave and Caregiver Leave and its main contents. Similar to South Korea, Japan is striving to halt ever-descending birth rates through the implementation of various policies and programs. Among these, the recently amended Act on Childcare Leave and Caregiver Leave, effective on April 1, 2025, seeks to expand the flexible work of employees who raise children. To encourage the adoption of flexible working methods according to the ages of workers’ children, the amendment included the following: ① oblige companies to make efforts to accommodate flexible work, inform employees of childcare leave systems, and confirm their intention to use them; ② increase the base of overtime work exemption; ③ require companies to make efforts to allow employees with children under age three to work from home; ④ increase the carer’s leave; and ⑤ mandate companies’ duty to listen to and accommodate workers’ opinions of the balance between work and childcare. These institutional improvements in Japan can be perceived as an apt response to the growing need to expand flexible work to prepare for low birth rates and realize employees’ work-life balance. A couple of factors must be considered regarding the expansion and diversification of a flexible working style in the future. They are as follows: ① adhering to flexible workplaces and working hours, as well as compliance with labor laws and related guidelines, will be more strictly required for accurate attendance management, etc., and ② the strict prohibition of disadvantageous treatment due to childcare leave and the prevention of related harassment will become more important.