[Inzai City, Chiba] Deputy Mayor Nozaki to Take Paternity Leave: Top Leadership Practices What They Preach to Further Promote a Culture of 'Standardized Male Involvement in Childcare'

## Deputy Mayor Nozaki to Take Paternity Leave

(Pictured: Inzai City Mayor Kengo Fujishiro and Deputy Mayor Nozaki)

### Male Staff Paternity Leave Rate Exceeds 80%; Deputy Mayor's Initiative Accelerates Cultural Transformation

Inzai City's paternity leave rate for male staff has risen significantly from 12.5% in fiscal 2021 to 88.9% in fiscal 2023, and continues to maintain a high level of over 80%.

Behind these changes, the city has conducted "Diversity Promotion Training" (FY2023) and "Ikuboss Training" (FY2025) for all managers (section chief level and above). These efforts have deepened workplace understanding of male participation in childcare and created an environment where individual staff members raising children can work with peace of mind.

The Deputy Mayor's decision to take paternity leave is seen as a move to further promote these efforts.

### Inzai City Male Staff Paternity Leave Rates

- FY2026: 84.6%
- FY2025: 88.9%
- FY2024: 66.7%
- FY2021: 12.5%

### Comments from Deputy Mayor Nozaki

"At Inzai City, we are working to build a workplace environment that supports the balance between work and life, including childcare and nursing care, for our staff."

"While our male staff's paternity leave rate remains high at over 80%, I hope to take the initiative myself to take leave, further spreading the culture that 'male participation in childcare is standard' throughout the city government."

"During my leave, Mayor Fujishiro and Deputy Mayor Yutaka Someya will continue to lead the organization to ensure smooth administrative operations. I appreciate your understanding."

Deputy Mayor Nozaki

### Leave Period

May 22, 2026 (Fri) to June 18, 2026 (Thu)
*As a special government official, there is no legal paternity leave system, but the leave is based on the system applied to regular staff.

### Administrative Framework During Leave

To ensure no disruptions to administrative operations, task distribution has been adjusted in advance with Deputy Mayor Yutaka Someya. Furthermore, a system has been secured to respond online or otherwise as necessary for emergencies or critical issues.