What changes
The 2024 amendment to the Next-Generation Act, promulgated on 31 May 2024, extended the Act to 31 March 2035. The certification criteria were revised with effect from 1 April 2025. The main changes are for men's childcare leave:
- Try Kurumin: at least 10% of eligible men (previously 7%), or 20% including company childcare leave (previously 15%).
- Kurumin: at least 30% (previously 10%), or 50% (previously 20%).
- Platinum Kurumin: at least 50% (previously 30%), or 70% (previously 50%).
All tiers now also require at least 75% of eligible fixed-term women to take leave, alongside 75% of women overall. For Kurumin and Platinum Kurumin, average monthly overtime and holiday work must be under 30 hours for all full-time staff, or under 45 hours for full-time staff aged 25 to 39; previously it was under 45 hours for all.
Applications under the old criteria are accepted until 31 March 2027, whatever the plan period, but they earn the old-style mark.
Separately, for action plans drawn up or changed from 1 April 2025, employers with 101 or more employees must first check men's childcare leave uptake and full-time staff overtime, then set numerical targets on both. Employers with 100 or fewer are asked to make the effort.
Who it applies to
Any employer seeking certification, and every employer with 101 or more employees for the action-plan duty.
Action for employers
- Decide by early 2027. If you meet only the old bar, apply before 31 March 2027.
- Count your fathers. In a small entity, one or two men declining leave can move the rate below 30%. Track it monthly.
- Fix overtime before leave. Client-facing teams often fail the 30-hour test.
- Refresh your action plan. Any plan renewed since April 2025 needs the two targets; check the one on file.
Sources
- Act on Advancement of Measures to Support Raising Next-Generation Children, as amended 2024 (promulgated 31 May 2024); Enforcement Regulations, criteria in force 1 April 2025.
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Kurumin certification guide (2025 revision), including transitional measures.