Shin-Etsu Chemical Continues 100% Return Rate After Maternity/Childcare Leave This Year Too!

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Yodogawa Ward, President: Yoshinori Takahashi), a manufacturer of gas alarms and detectors with the overarching goal of "eliminating gas accidents worldwide," is promoting a workplace environment where employees can confidently balance childcare and work, and has continued its 100% return rate after maternity and childcare leave.

In addition to increasing congratulatory money for childbirth and expanding childcare short-time work options, we are developing an environment where employees can continue to work with peace of mind according to their life stages, including revising our systems to comply with the revised Child Care and Family Care Leave Act in 2025. In particular, in October 2025, we will newly establish a paid "Childcare Support Leave" to create a system that can more flexibly support the balance between childcare and work.

Enhancement of Childcare Support Systems

We are promoting the development of systems that make it easier to balance childcare and work, with an eye toward contributing to social issues such as the declining birthrate and aging population.

Main Systems

Childbirth Congratulatory Money Revised in April 2024, ¥200,000 paid per child *¥50,000 paid per child for part-timers

Childcare Short-Time Work Significantly longer than the legal requirement of "child under 3 years old," available until the end of the third year of elementary school.

Newly Established Paid "Childcare Support Leave"

In line with the legal revision in October 2025, we have newly established a paid "Childcare Support Leave." This leave can be used for a wide range of reasons related to child-rearing, such as picking up and dropping off children and attending school events, making it a system that employees can actually use.

Voices of Childcare Support System Users

Marina Tani, Sales Planning Promotion Department, Sales General Headquarters

[Maternity/Childcare Leave Taken: April 2025 - April 2026]

I was able to take about a year of maternity and childcare leave and spend precious time watching my child grow up by my side. Since returning to work at the end of April this year, I have had to take sudden leave or leave early due to my child's poor health, but I am supported by the understanding and cooperation of my superiors and colleagues. I am currently using childcare short-time work, and since it can be used until the third year of elementary school, I feel secure that I can continue to work for a long time. I will continue to utilize the system while striving for work-life balance.

Promotion of Paternity Leave Usage

In 2021, the Child Care and Family Care Leave Act was revised, and the promotion of paternity leave usage became a topic of discussion. Shin-Etsu Chemical saw its first male employee take childcare leave in 2010. Furthermore, in the last two years, 29% of male employees eligible for childcare leave have taken it (100% for women). The longest period taken has been up to 8 months, with achievements even in sales roles, which are generally considered difficult to take leave from.

We are promoting paternity leave by actively disseminating achievements within the company, fostering an atmosphere where all employees can utilize childcare support systems.

Achievements (as of March 2026)

Return Rate After Maternity/Childcare Leave: 100% To ensure that the system can be used with peace of mind, company regulations stipulate that employees generally return to the same department they were in before using the system.

Number of Childcare Leave Takers / Proportion of Eligible Employees*

Men: 16/30, Women: 4/4 (2 of whom are part-time)

Number of Employees on Childcare Short-Time Work

Men: 5, Women: 9

*Achievements from April 2024 to March 2026

Voices of Childcare Support System Users

Takashi Yokoyama, Sensor Factory, Sensor Division

[Childcare Leave Taken: October 2024 - February 2025, April 2026 - May 2026]

I took childcare leave for my second and third children. I was able to participate in childcare during the precious newborn period and stay close to my older children as they adjusted to the changes. Even after returning to work, I sometimes need to take time off due to my children's colds or vaccinations, but it is very helpful to be able to respond flexibly not only by using annual paid leave but also by utilizing the Childcare Support Leave on an hourly basis. Despite being busy with work, I am grateful for the support I have received from my superiors and colleagues.

Work Style Aimed for by Shin-Etsu Chemical

Currently, Shin-Etsu Chemical is working to create an environment where employees can raise children with peace of mind, in step with the government's measures to address the declining birthrate.

In the future, we will foster a corporate culture, not just by preparing childcare support systems themselves, but also by providing education to employees in management positions who are parents, to deepen their understanding of childcare support.

Amidst globalization and the declining birthrate and aging population, opportunities to work with a more diverse range of people are increasing. We are working towards a workplace where all employees at Shin-Etsu Chemical feel that it is a rewarding and comfortable place to work.

Hiromi Kobayashi, General Manager, Human Resources Department

About Shin-Etsu Chemical

Since developing the world's first* domestic gas alarm in 1964, we have been involved in household gas alarms, industrial gas detectors/alarms, and residential fire alarms with the desire to "eliminate gas accidents worldwide." We hold the top domestic market share for household gas alarms and are actively expanding into overseas markets. Based on our gas sensor technology, which is the core of all our products, we have developed numerous new products that did not exist before.

"Cosmos Sensor Center," one of the world's largest facilities for gas sensor R&D and manufacturing

*Self-researched (as of 1964, for domestic household gas alarms worldwide)

Company Profile

Company Name: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.

Location: Mitsuya Naka 2-5-4, Yodogawa Ward, Osaka City

Representative: President Yoshinori Takahashi

Established: 1960

Business Activities: Development, manufacturing, sales, and maintenance of household gas alarms, industrial gas detectors/alarms, residential fire alarms, etc.

URL: https://www.new-cosmos.co.jp/

[Contact for Recruitment Inquiries] Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. Human Resources Department, General Affairs Division TEL: 06-6309-1501 (Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00) Inquiry Form: https://www.new-cosmos.co.jp/recruit/