Father Support Forum on 'Dad's Reality and Well-being' to Be Held Online on July 8

Niiza Childcare Network, an NPO based in Saitama Prefecture dedicated to child and parenting support (Niiza City, Saitama; Representative: Junko Sakamoto), will host a 'Father Support Forum' online via Zoom on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. The event targets municipal childcare officers, public health nurses, local parenting support centers, and corporate HR personnel.

This forum has received high praise annually, and we are pleased to announce its continuation this year.

As more men take parental leave, what changes are occurring in fathers’ values and well-being (a state of happiness and fulfillment)? This forum will explore how the 'power of care' brought by parenting is transforming co-parenting, work-life balance, spousal and parent-child relationships, and fathers’ own lives, through sociological research perspectives and real-life experiences of participants.

■ Background and Objectives

In recent years, male parental leave uptake has been increasing due to legal reforms. However, essential discussions on how engaging in childcare—the act of 'care'—impacts fathers’ personal well-being, corporate management, and local communities, beyond simply 'taking time off,' remain insufficient.

Having conducted long-term research on father support both in Japan and abroad, our organization has designed this forum on the theme of 'Dad's Reality and Male Well-being,' inviting leading experts and practitioners.

Professor Yuu Shibata from Kyoto University Graduate School, known for sociological research on 'happiness,' 'intimacy,' and 'social security,' and frequent media appearances including NHK's 'Nichiyoubi Rondou (Sunday Debate),' will deliver a lecture. He will provide a sociological analysis of fathers’ well-being.

Additionally, Takayuki Akiha, a copywriter who has personally taken parental leave three times and currently works as a manager, will share real-life challenges and experiences as a participant.

As a special benefit for forum participants (upon request), we will provide digital data of an awareness-raising poster on father support, created by Mr. Akiha, ready for use in local communities or workplaces.

■ Program and Speakers

Lecture: 'Father's Well-being'
Speaker: Yuu Shibata (Professor, Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University)
※Specializes in sociology and social policy. Author of 'Childcare Support Will Save Japan' and other works.

Case Presentation: 'The Reality of Fatherhood: My Third Parental Leave'
Speaker: Takayuki Akiha (Parental Leave Experiencer / Copywriter)

Panel Discussion: 'Rethinking Fatherhood and Happiness'

Q&A Session

■ Event Overview

Date and Time: Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 13:30–15:30

Format: Online (Zoom)

Capacity: 80 participants (first-come, first-served; registration deadline: July 5)

Target Audience: Public health nurses, municipal childcare officers, corporate HR personnel, local parenting support center staff, and anyone interested in father support initiatives

Participation Fee: 5,500 JPY (tax included)

Details and Registration: https://peatix.com/event/5009674/view

【About the Organizer: Niiza Childcare Network】
Since 2004, we have conducted research on father support with researchers and experts, sharing findings with governments, advanced municipalities, and media. We develop and provide parenting programs such as 'Papa no Kimochi Mama no Kimochi (Dad's Feelings, Mom's Feelings)' and 'Hi Dad,' and maintain long-term collaboration with Canadian father support organization 'Dad Central,' implementing advanced initiatives based on global insights.

Headquarters: 1-4-5-2F Sugisawa, Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture

Official Website: https://www.ccn.niiza-ksdt.com/

【Inquiries】 Niiza Childcare Network (Contact: Takeuchi)
TEL: 048-482-5732 / FAX: 048-482-5731 Email: office@ccn01.mygbiz.com