CocoPapa Launches Online Consultation Service for Fathers

CocoMama Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representatives: Chia Nakahara and Kanako Asano) has launched 'CocoPapa,' an online consultation service targeting fathers, supporting them from their partner’s pregnancy through childbirth and child-rearing.

While interest in fatherly involvement in parenting is growing, many fathers still face challenges such as 'not knowing what to do,' 'not understanding their wife’s feelings,' or 'having no one to talk to.'

A survey by the National Center for Child Health and Development (fathers of 3-year-olds) found that 41% of fathers did not understand the reasons behind their wife’s irritability, and 22.3% reported having no father friends in similar situations. These findings highlight how, despite willingness to participate, many fathers feel anxious or isolated due to lack of knowledge and support channels.

CocoPapa is an online support service for fathers throughout their partner’s pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting journey. With 24/7 access to professionals such as midwives and childcare workers, fathers can easily consult about parenting concerns, helping them engage in child-rearing with greater confidence.

■ Father Support as a Countermeasure to Low Birth Rates

According to a Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare survey, families where fathers spend more time on housework and childcare on their days off are more likely to have a second or subsequent child. Father involvement not only reduces mothers’ burdens and alleviates parenting anxiety but also fosters an environment where couples feel ready to have another child.

Therefore, supporting fathers is not just about parenting assistance—it is increasingly recognized as a vital strategy for addressing Japan’s declining birth rate.

■ Enabling Fathers to Parent with Confidence

CocoPapa is an online service allowing fathers to consult experts about various concerns arising from pregnancy through parenting.

Whether it’s 'not knowing what to do,' 'not understanding their wife’s emotions,' or 'lacking confidence in parenting,' professional midwives and childcare experts provide 24/7 support. The service aims to create an environment where fathers can confidently engage in child-rearing.

＜CocoPapa Features＞

・24/7 consultation via LINE

・Online expert-led workshops

・Access to local parenting support information

・Educational parenting videos

＜Example Consultations＞

・Not understanding why my wife gets irritated

・Not knowing how to care for the baby

・Uncertain how to spend paternity leave

・Disagreements with spouse on nursery or kindergarten selection

・Not knowing what role to play as a father

Mothers Can Join Too

CocoPapa is not just for fathers.

Mothers can also use the service, enabling couples to consult together and face parenting as a team.

Learn more about CocoPapa

■ Father Involvement Shapes the Family’s Future

Childbirth and parenting are not solely the mother’s responsibility.

When fathers actively engage from pregnancy onward, it reduces the mother’s physical and emotional burden and strengthens mutual support within the couple. For children, time with their father is crucial for healthy development and emotional security.

Father involvement not only enhances family well-being but is also increasingly vital in addressing low birth rates.

A father’s engagement supports the mother, nurtures the child, and builds a brighter future for the entire family.

■ Father Support as an Emerging Social Challenge

As the importance of father support grows, establishing continuous, personalized support systems has become a shared challenge for local governments and corporations.

Municipalities struggle with providing timely information and after-hours consultation for fathers, while companies face pressure to promote paternal leave uptake, support post-leave retention, and advance gender equality.

Moving forward, beyond policy reforms, creating environments where fathers can confidently participate in parenting is essential.

■ Future Outlook

CocoMama Inc. envisions 'creating a society where every family can raise children with confidence.'

Going forward, the company will expand its support beyond mothers to include fathers, strengthening its holistic, family-centered support system.

It also plans to collaborate with local governments on parenting support programs and expand into corporate welfare services, delivering seamless support from pregnancy through child-rearing across Japan.

■ Company Overview

Company Name: CocoMama Inc.

Representatives: Chia Nakahara / Kanako Asano, Executive Directors

Founded: January 2025

Capital: 80 million JPY (including preparatory funds)

Headquarters: 7F, Shinagawa East One Tower, 2-16-1 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Business: Support services for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting

Online consultation via LINE

In-home postnatal care, babysitting services, etc.

Official Website: https://cocomama.baby

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocomama_baby

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@cocomama_baby

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cocomama_baby