#Japan #Fukuoka #Home Cooking #Parenting Program

Home Cooking Classes for Fathers: A New Initiative

In an effort to enhance men's involvement in parenting, Home Cooking Co., a prominent cooking school based in Ota City, Tokyo, has announced the launch of its cooking classes tailored for fathers. The initiative, known as the Men's Parenting Participation Program (lovingly nicknamed the 'Nurturing Dads Program'), is set to kick off on May 24 in Fukuoka. This program aims to equip fathers with essential cooking skills, thereby promoting greater participation in household responsibilities.

Background of the Men's Parenting Participation Program

Recent governmental and corporate initiatives have positively impacted the rate of paternity leave among men, yet a concerning gap remains in their perceived contributions during this time. According to a survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, husbands in households with children under six years old significantly lag behind their wives in terms of household chores.

Home Cooking Co. identifies the root of this gap as a lack of opportunities to acquire necessary skills and knowledge. Thus, the company strives to create a supportive environment where dads can joyfully learn to cook and confidently engage in family life.

A Comprehensive Cooking Experience in Three Sessions

The cooking classes consist of three sessions, focusing on popular dishes such as ginger pork, demi-glace cheese hamburgers, and creamy salmon and shrimp stew. Participants will not only learn how to prepare these main courses but will also acquire the skills needed to create a weekly meal plan encompassing 21 dishes, covering breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The target audience is primarily fathers in their late 20s to early 40s, especially those with limited cooking experience. Each session emphasizes fundamental home cooking techniques, including food preparation and dashi making, to ensure that even novices can participate with ease.

Practical Lessons with Immediate Support

Each class is designed to address practical concerns, allowing participants to ask questions and resolve uncertainties on the spot with the guidance of experienced instructors. This hands-on approach guarantees that attendees transition from simply feeling unsure about cooking to developing tangible, reproducible skills that they can confidently employ at home.

Every participant is rewarded with a recipe book containing a week’s worth of meal plans and video tutorials demonstrating how to prepare all the dishes.

Program Structure and Delivery

Collaboratively developed by Teno Holdings Co., led by President Hiroko Ikeuchi in Fukuoka, this program is a pioneering educational package supporting men's active involvement in childcare and household chores during paternity leave. Recognized as Japan’s first comprehensive training service, the program allows male employees to engage in cooking classes, bathing sessions, and related workshops, all under one roof.

Home Cooking Co. operates as a group subsidiary of Teno Holdings, managing the cooking classes. As the ground-breaking corporate partner for this initiative, Fukuoka Financial Group is set to launch its services on May 24, commencing the first cooking class at Home Cooking Fukuoka School.

About Home Cooking Fukuoka School

• - Address: 2F, Sakura Building, 2-1-19 Akasaka, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
• - Website: Home Cooking School Site

Future Prospects

The Men's Parenting Participation Program will officially commence on May 24, 2026, with training sessions scheduled throughout the year. Working closely with Teno Holdings and connected group enterprises, Home Cooking Co. aims to use these initiatives as a model to advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) within human capital management. The ultimate goal is to foster a society where everyone can successfully balance parenting and work commitments.

About Home Cooking Co.

Founded in 1973, Home Cooking Co. began as a home baking research center in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, with a vision to empower families to create delicious homemade bread with ease. Today, it operates 55 cooking schools across Japan, attracting nearly 200,000 participants annually, fostering a friendly and relaxed atmosphere conducive to learning practical cooking skills.

Company Overview:

• - Name: Home Cooking Co.
• - Headquarters: 5F, Center Building, Tokyo Distribution Center, 6-1-1 Heiwajima, Ota, Tokyo
• - Representative: President Keiko Yoshidome
• - Established: April 1973
• - Capital: 700 million yen (including capital reserves)
• - Business Activity: Planning and management of cooking classes 'Home Cooking,' production and sale of ingredients, food, cooking tools, etc.
• - Website: Home Cooking
• - Online Shop: Online Store

Teno Holdings Overview

• - Name: Teno Holdings Co.
• - Location: 5F, Gofuku-cho Business Center, 10-10 Kamigofuku-machi, Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
• - Business Focus: Childcare, caregiving, living support services, and more.
• - Website: Teno Co.

Fukuoka Financial Group Overview

• - Name: Fukuoka Financial Group Inc.
• - Location: 1-8-3 Otemon, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
• - Business Focus: Banking and subsidiary management permitted under banking laws.
• - Website: Fukuoka FG