A Tokyo employer is using the Rocky theme song to remind employees that their workday ends firmly at 6 pm. As the country struggles to disentangle itself from its deeply entrenched work ethic, companies are looking for innovative ways to care for their employees.

Pandemic-induced flexible work is inspiring parents in Japan with young kids to think about having more. With many calling for a more equal approach to parenting, workplaces have the opportunity to reassess their paternity, maternity, and parenting policies to align with what people want.

Skincare aficionados may have spent the best part of the 2010s championing K-beauty, but amid the uncertainty of the pandemic, Japanese rituals have gained fresh relevance around the world. How is J-beauty balancing old and new wisdom to meet evolving consumer needs?

Japanese men have the highest amount of paid parental leave at their disposal, yet only a small proportion take it each year due to an intense working culture and entrenched gender norms. So, what are brands and the government doing to encourage fathers to get more involved in their kids’ lives?