My wife is currently 28weeks pregnant and I am trying to figure out the paternity leave situation. I have read through information available online and although I basically understand the system I have some individual situation questions.
I found these to be the best resources:
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/koyoukintou/pamphlet/dl/02_en.pdf
https://www.tokyodev.com/articles/paternity-leave-in-japan
Context: My wife and I have lived in Japan for more than 2 years, she has been on a intra-company transferee visa the entire time, I transferred from a dependant visa to a HSP visa just under 1 year ago.
The baby is due on the 15th of November, but my contract with my current employer begun on the 4th of December.
Questions:
1 – If the baby is born before I have worked for 1 year, can I begin the leave once I hit that 1 year mark? i.e. baby is born on Nov 15th, I take personal leave (unpaid, annual etc.) up to Dec 4th, then start government paternity leave after Dec 4th? What are my options?
2 – What is the difference / reason for differentiating between Childcare at Birth Leave（産後パパ育休 / 出生時育児休業) and Childcare Leave（育児休業)? I understand that Childcare at Birth Leave allows me to take 4 weeks off in the first 8 weeks. What if I want to take 8-10 weeks total, do I need to take 4 weeks of Childcare at Birth Leave then add 4-6 weeks of Childcare Leave? Is it two separate applications / lodgements?
3 – What does my work actually have to do? My company is small and new, and the HR is foreign, this will be the first time someone in the company will take this type of leave. I understand it is my HR's responsibility but I want to make sure things are done correctly so I don't have to stress while taking care of a new born.
Thank you for any advice or help
by Gogo_Gaget