National civil servants who wish to receive treatment for fertility issues will be able to take up to 10 days of annual paid leave starting from January, National Personnel Authority President Yuko Kawamoto said at a press conference Tuesday.
Kawamoto said that the central government is taking the lead in introducing this system, which is not prevalent in the private sector.
Under the system, national civil servants, regardless of gender, can in principle take up to five days of annual paid leave for fertility treatment. If these employees need to visit medical institutions frequently for such treatment, they can have up to an additional five days of leave.
Hourly leave will also be allowed for outpatient treatment during work hours.
In addition, part-time male employees will be able to take two days of annual paid paternity leave and up to five days of paid leave for child-rearing.
Taro Kono, the minister in charge of administrative and regulatory reform, said the same day that the new leave system is "extremely positive and groundbreaking."
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