I think there are more important things for him to do as a Diet member than taking child-care leave.

Yes, like pocketing brown envelopes, falling asleep during Diet 'deliberations,' and crossing his arms over his chest and sucking through his teeth. All actions done by his superiors in the LDP, BTW.

As a Diet member, maybe. In addition to being a Diet member though, he is a husband and now a father. Both of those positions are way more important than a mere job/profession and will define him for the rest of his life, not just possibly until the next election. Apparently he's entitled to a year off, and he's taking just a month. Maybe the professor should just shut up, it's none of his business.

Never thought I'd be sticking up for an LDP member, but well done, that father.

Now let's see Abe-kun come out and back him up for doing what he, Abe, says he wants men to do - close the gender gap and make it easier for new mothers to get back in harness. (Incidentally Miyazaki's wife is also an MP in the lower house).

The professor is just envious he wasn't able to do the same. The older generation in Japan, having "suffered" for their job, must make sure the younger generation don't get away with no "suffering". This is the main reason why work practices will never change in Japan, in any meaningful way.

A future prime minister? I certainly hope so.

Cleo,

Now let's see Abe-kun come out and back him up for doing what he, Abe, says he wants men to do - close the gender gap and make it easier for new mothers to get back in harness. (Incidentally Miyazaki's wife is also an MP in the lower house).

He did: "Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his support for Miyazaki’s plan when the two met on Monday." Ref: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/01/07/national/ldp-lawmaker-faces-off-partys-old-guard-child-care-leave- plan/#.VrFUB9J97mV

Iwabuchi trying to drive the fertility rate even lower?

Star-viking, thanks for that. I'd only seen reports of the LDP old guard (Tanigaki, Aso et al) doing the usual.

Now in addition to sticking up for an LDP member, I have to give Abe his due. Dang.

It'll probably rain tonight.

Given that Diet members manage their own schedules and (committees aside) have no specific responsibility to be in any particular place at any particular time, it's quite likely that this is a symbolic gesture with the full cooperation of Abe and the LDP. Credit where credit is due, they have at least been giving lip service to the idea of supporting working families, and this is a step in the right direction. Hopefully this will encourage companies to follow suit. The professor is a fool - the work of the Diet won't stop through the absence of one member, just as it doesn't stop when someone is sick, asleep, or too senile to make a meaningful contribution.

iwabuchi is CLEARLY an idiot, if he has a wife I hope she read this & kicks his A$$!!!! Can dream right!

No wonder this country is going down the crapper, why would people want families when they can have a KAISHA..........I would rather be homeless living under a bridge than be a typical salaryman what a god awful existence that is

I think keeping the baby's diapers clean and feedings are on time and lots of love and attention to the new life are very important duties for a father and mother too of course.

Wow, and to think this fossil is teaching young impressionable minds. Yes, desert your family, not know your kids, let the wife do everything. Fossilized dinosaur dung.

If you're a man and you have a child, there is no job more important than being a father. We should cheer on Mr. Miyazaki!

"Nihon University Professor Yoshikazu Iwabuchi says younger people are not voting as they have little interest in politics. He says the trend must change, as they will be responsible for carrying the country forward someday." http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/japanindepth/20150618.html NHK Hmm...Carry the country forward while he and his ilk push backwards.