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Taking Leave
An American on Paternity Leave in Japan
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by Matthew T. Apple
A5;
168 pp
ISBN: 9784939130434
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Taking Leave: An American on Paternity Leave in
Japan is more than just a simple description
of how an American in Japan adapted to his role as a
stay-at-home father for a year. The book delves into
social issues such as gender roles and
responsibilities within the family and the
challenges of raising children of mixed parentage to
be bilingual and bicultural in what is mistakenly
perceived as an homogeneous society. Along the way,
the author examines Japanese holidays and festivals,
takes a critical view of Japanese health care,
questions the gendering of children’s clothing and
toys, and suggests that “womenomics” will be
ineffective without an accompanying increase in men
participating in childcare at home.
“Matthew Apple’s memoir of his year-long childcare
leave in Japan provides interesting insight into a
culture where mothers often raise their children
singlehandedly and where fathers are generally
absent from the day-to-day care of their children.”
Diane Hawley Nagatomo, Associate Professor of
English, Ochanomizu Women’s University
“Taking childcare leave, despite being a
struggle, is a great treasure to both American and
Japanese men. You can also learn how unique Japanese
culture is through knowing this author’s experience
of childcare. I strongly recommend this book to all
fathers and fathers-to-be.”
Masato Yamada, Former Vice Governor of Yokohama
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About the author
Matthew T. Apple (MFA, MEd, EdD) teaches
critical thinking, global issues, and English as
a Foreign Language at Ritsumeikan University,
Kyoto, Japan. A resident of Japan since 1999,
Matt took a year of paternity leave from April
2010 to March 2011 to care for his daughter. He
is a frequent presenter at language education
events across Japan.
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