Transforming Parenting and Careers: A New Work-Life Balance Model in Japan
In a progressive move away from the traditional dilemma faced by parenting households—choosing between career and childcare—Makehit Co., Ltd. has launched an innovative project to promote a new work model that embraces both aspects. Based in Meguro, Tokyo, and spearheaded by President Ryo Kubota, this initiative aims to equip parenting households with the necessary skills for remote work, thereby enabling them to navigate their careers alongside their family commitments.
Recent years have seen a surge in the needs of parenting families, including desires for flexible working hours, controllable work schedules, and income sources that align with parenting responsibilities. Until now, many parenting households faced limited options such as full-time employment, part-time work, or being stay-at-home parents, often feeling compelled to abandon their ideal work styles.
This issue is exacerbated in rural areas, where job options are further restricted. Many parenting households remain apprehensive about continuing their careers due to insufficient opportunities. Moreover, the rapid digital transformation has created a pronounced divide, making IT skills critical in determining employment opportunities. Bridging this digital gap for parenting households has thus become a pressing social challenge.
Meikara has tailored its support framework to closely align with the life stages of parenting households, fostering a work environment where they do not have to compromise between childcare and career aspirations.
- Welcome participation from children during online lessons—adopting a "child-first" approach.
- Offers adaptable learning programs that fit into parenting schedules.
- Features a staged curriculum that allows even beginners to feel secure during their journey.
- Provides comprehensive support from securing projects to post-employment assistance.
- Creates a holistic support environment where parenting challenges can also be discussed.
- Regular offline gatherings for connection and community building.
In the early phases of the initiative, Meikara has already assisted over 250 participants, primarily from parenting households, since its official launch in January 2024. Remarkably, about 90% of those receiving one-on-one support reported achieving stable side incomes within six months, showcasing the feasibility of this new concept of work for individuals with no prior remote work experience.
Moreover, cooperation with the Maternity Mark promoted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has increased public awareness of support for parenting households, evidenced by advertisements placed in key Tokyo subway lines.
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. A mother of two in her 30s shared, "I had no prior computer experience, but within three months, I could start working from home. I'm thankful for the opportunity to watch my children grow while I work." Another participant, a mother in her 50s, expressed, "After leaving my part-time job to pursue work from home, I can spend more time with my dog, making my life more fulfilling." A father in his 30s noted, "I began as a side job and managed to secure a stable income while preserving quality time with my family—truly realizing my ideal work style."
To expand the employment options for parenting households across the nation, Meikara is set to hold in-person events in regional cities. The first of these will occur on August 20 and 30, 2025, at the Hakodate Tsutaya Cultural Classroom, offering a free "Consultation Event for Creating Your Ideal Work Style through Home Work and Side Jobs". This event, which is open to participants with children and involves no fees, promises an accessible experience introducing new work possibilities.
Meikara aims to replicate such initiatives throughout Japan’s rural areas, working towards equal employment support across all regions.
Ryo Kubota, the representative of Makehit Co., Ltd., asserts, "The outdated notion of choosing between parenting and career is no longer viable. Technological advancements pave the way to meaningful contributions while parenting, enabling personal work styles. Meikara aims to establish these new work standards in society, empowering all parenting households to make genuine choices."
As a parent himself of a toddler, Kubota understands the challenges parenting households face in reconciling work and family. He sees an opportunity for further collaboration with local women’s empowerment initiatives and reforms concerning work culture in organizations.
Addressing Constraints in Work for Parenting Households
Recent years have seen a surge in the needs of parenting families, including desires for flexible working hours, controllable work schedules, and income sources that align with parenting responsibilities. Until now, many parenting households faced limited options such as full-time employment, part-time work, or being stay-at-home parents, often feeling compelled to abandon their ideal work styles.
This issue is exacerbated in rural areas, where job options are further restricted. Many parenting households remain apprehensive about continuing their careers due to insufficient opportunities. Moreover, the rapid digital transformation has created a pronounced divide, making IT skills critical in determining employment opportunities. Bridging this digital gap for parenting households has thus become a pressing social challenge.
Meikara's Unique Support Model for Parenting Households
Meikara has tailored its support framework to closely align with the life stages of parenting households, fostering a work environment where they do not have to compromise between childcare and career aspirations.
- - Childcare-Centric Learning Environment:
- Welcome participation from children during online lessons—adopting a "child-first" approach.
- Offers adaptable learning programs that fit into parenting schedules.
- - Skill Acquisition Focused on Practicality:
- Features a staged curriculum that allows even beginners to feel secure during their journey.
- Provides comprehensive support from securing projects to post-employment assistance.
- - Peer Support Community:
- Creates a holistic support environment where parenting challenges can also be discussed.
- Regular offline gatherings for connection and community building.
In the early phases of the initiative, Meikara has already assisted over 250 participants, primarily from parenting households, since its official launch in January 2024. Remarkably, about 90% of those receiving one-on-one support reported achieving stable side incomes within six months, showcasing the feasibility of this new concept of work for individuals with no prior remote work experience.
Moreover, cooperation with the Maternity Mark promoted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has increased public awareness of support for parenting households, evidenced by advertisements placed in key Tokyo subway lines.
Voices from Participants
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. A mother of two in her 30s shared, "I had no prior computer experience, but within three months, I could start working from home. I'm thankful for the opportunity to watch my children grow while I work." Another participant, a mother in her 50s, expressed, "After leaving my part-time job to pursue work from home, I can spend more time with my dog, making my life more fulfilling." A father in his 30s noted, "I began as a side job and managed to secure a stable income while preserving quality time with my family—truly realizing my ideal work style."
Nationwide Initiatives for Rural Community Support
To expand the employment options for parenting households across the nation, Meikara is set to hold in-person events in regional cities. The first of these will occur on August 20 and 30, 2025, at the Hakodate Tsutaya Cultural Classroom, offering a free "Consultation Event for Creating Your Ideal Work Style through Home Work and Side Jobs". This event, which is open to participants with children and involves no fees, promises an accessible experience introducing new work possibilities.
Meikara aims to replicate such initiatives throughout Japan’s rural areas, working towards equal employment support across all regions.
Future Vision: Creating a New Standard for Work Styles
Ryo Kubota, the representative of Makehit Co., Ltd., asserts, "The outdated notion of choosing between parenting and career is no longer viable. Technological advancements pave the way to meaningful contributions while parenting, enabling personal work styles. Meikara aims to establish these new work standards in society, empowering all parenting households to make genuine choices."
As a parent himself of a toddler, Kubota understands the challenges parenting households face in reconciling work and family. He sees an opportunity for further collaboration with local women’s empowerment initiatives and reforms concerning work culture in organizations.
Company Overview
- - Company Name: Makehit Co., Ltd.
- - CEO: Ryo Kubota
- - Established: July 2023
- - Location: 3-14-4 Takaban, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-0004
- - Business Activities: Operation of the remote work skill acquisition school "Meikara"; web marketing support; AI training initiatives.
- - Website: Makehit
- - Meikara School Website: Meikara
Topics People & Culture）
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