Redefining Paternity Leave in Japan

Recorded live at the PSE-CEPR Policy Forum 2025. 

One of the mysteries for economists and policymakers has been the reluctance of men to take paternity leave, no matter how generous the terms offered to them. In her presentation, Marianne Bertrand of the University of Chicago Booth School mentioned some new research from Japan that is helping to shine a light on this topic, in an innovative and entertaining way. We wanted to know more, and so Tim Phillips asked her about why, when bosses and employees both think it’s good to take paternity leave, most don’t. and why an anime video might change this situation. 

Watch the anime video we discuss: https://talknorm.al/paternity