Maternity Harassment Common in Japan and U.S. Workplaces

Japan has a specific term, "matahara" (maternity harassment), to describe workplace pressures faced by pregnant employees and new mothers. This phenomenon encompasses actions like pressuring women to resign, demoting them upon return from leave, or reassigning their projects. The issue gained national attention when Shoko Kawata became the first mayor in Japan's history to remain in office while taking maternity leave without resigning.

Japan faces a demographic crisis with declining birth rates, falling to historic lows below one child per woman in Tokyo. Despite this, women's labor force participation significantly drops upon marriage or the birth of their first child, creating a paradox where the country needs to increase its population yet penalizes women for having children.

The United States is experiencing similar trends. The U.S. general fertility rate has reached a record low, and the first half of 2025 saw over 400,000 mothers exit the labor force, marking the steepest decline in over four decades for mothers with young children.

Factors contributing to this trend in the U.S. include the scarcity and high cost of childcare, a decrease in workplace flexibility with a return to office mandates, and workforce changes. A KPMG analysis indicated the sharpest decline in participation among highly educated mothers of very young children.

Economically, U.S. mothers experience a significant long-term earnings penalty, losing approximately 30% of their income after their first child, while fathers face negligible financial impact. This penalty compounds over a career, contributing to lower savings and a wider gender pay gap.