#Japan #Tokyo #Mitsubishi Electric #With Midwife #Seizuki Kishihata

Exploring Work-life Balance for Parents in Corporations

On July 2nd, 2026, an important session aimed at corporate HR professionals will take place at TODA HALL & CONFERENCE TOKYO, where Seizuki Kishihata, the author of the recently reprinted "Survival Guide for Working Parents," will share her insights. This reprinting occurred just a month after its release, indicating its immediate impact.

The session, titled "Creating an Organization Where 'Working Parents' Thrive — Rethinking Future Work-life Balance Support," will feature discussions with the work-life balance support team from Mitsubishi Electric. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about effective support mechanisms that organizations should prepare as the workplace environment continues to evolve.

Context and Objectives

The rise in dual-income households, the mainstream acceptance of paternity leave, and the increased management burden on working parents are just a few changes reflecting the evolving dynamics around work and home. It’s essential to recognize that work-life support transcends mere benefits for some employees; it has transformed into a critical management challenge influencing organizational sustainability and value.

However, simply establishing policies does not automatically alleviate the challenges faced by working parents. Life events such as pregnancy, childbirth, returning to work, childcare, and even eldercare often culminate in personal sacrifices. Working parents find themselves juggling multiple responsibilities – from explaining their needs to their supervisors to managing family demands while maintaining productivity at work. Many of these pressures remain invisible to employers.

Consequently, working parents often feel they need to manage their struggles independently. This perception can lead to burnout among individuals who genuinely desire to excel in both parenting and their careers.

Key Takeaways from the Session

• - Reimagination of Support: Organizations need to consider support systems that promote a culture of understanding and collaboration, ensuring that employees feel less isolated during critical life events. The emphasis must shift from merely providing policies to fostering an environment where employees can thrive without sacrificing their careers.

• - Practical Insights: Attendees can expect to gain actionable insights on what HR and management must understand about the realities of parenting, pregnancy, and re-entering the workforce. The discussions will highlight how to transition from merely offering benefits to creating a supportive organizational culture.

• - Collaborative Efforts: The cooperation between Kishihata's insights from her book and the practical experiences shared by Mitsubishi Electric's team will provide a comprehensive understanding of work-life balance. Together, they will address common concerns such as unconscious bias in management roles and the evolving perception of work-life balance as a reflection of an organization’s performance.

This session is an excellent opportunity for HR professionals and managers who want to ensure their workforce feels valued, supported, and understood, demonstrating that the definition of success extends beyond an individual's efforts to a collective organizational responsibility.

What's Next?

With the current challenges facing working parents, it’s time for corporations to take a proactive stance. Key issues to be addressed during the session include:

• - Identifying the structural causes of burnout among working parents.
• - Discussing why existing policies are often ineffective despite being in place.
• - Emphasizing the need for support frameworks that foster both personal satisfaction and team productivity.
• - Shifting the narrative around family-support policies from mere welfare to integral components of organizational performance.

In conclusion, this event promises to be a pivotal moment for companies seeking to reevaluate their approach to supporting employees who are also parents. By fostering a deeper dialogue and collaboration, organizations can ultimately enhance workplace culture, boost morale, and ensure the sustained productivity of their workforce.

Event Details

Date & Time: July 2, 2026, at 19:00
Location: TODA HALL & CONFERENCE TOKYO, 1-7-1 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Target Audience: Corporate HR personnel, DE&I officers, managers, and any interested stakeholders.

This session is a stepping stone towards building a more inclusive and supportive work environment for all employees, particularly those managing the complex roles of work and parenthood. Join us for this insightful evening.

Visit the Peatix event page for more details and to register.