Please explain the differences between Childcare leave at birth, regular Childcare leave, and Special leave (Days off for childcare) .

Please note that this article is based on the regulations for HQ and SJ full-time employees. 
There may be differences for affiliated companies and different types of contracts, so be sure to check the applicable HR regulations.

Childcare leave at the time of birth and regular Childcare leave are unpaid (eligible for benefits). 
Special leave (Days off for childcare) is not a leave of absence but a paid special leave.

Please refer to the table below for more details.

Details	Special leave (Days off for childcare)	Childcare leave at the time of birth	Childcare leave
Eligible for	Those who have a child under three years old	Those employees who have not taken postnatal leave and are living with and caring for a child within eight weeks from the later of the child's birth date or the expected delivery date.	Those employees who have a child under three years old Those employees who have been employed for at least one year as of the start date of the leave Those employees who, in principle, can continue working after the childcare leave period ends
Treatment of wages	Paid	Unpaid	Unpaid
Number of times	During the period until the child turns three years old, up to two times for the same child within a continuous one-week period (including Saturday and Sunday) It is also possible to take the two periods consecutively	It is possible to take the leave in two separate periods.  However, in case of splitting it into two periods, both periods must be applied for at the same time.	The number of childcare leave applications for the same child is limited to one. If the child is under one year old, the leave can be taken in up to two separate periods. In cases of special circumstances, additional applications beyond the second time are permitted.
Period	Until the child turns three years old Can be taken starting from the expected date of childbirth	A period of up to four weeks (28 days) within eight weeks after the child's birth, as desired by the individual.	The period from the start date of the leave until the child turns three years old. If leave is taken more than twice due to the birth of additional children, the total leave period is limited to a maximum of five years. Leave can be taken starting from the expected date of childbirth.
Social insurance premiums	Not eligible for exemption	Exemption (with conditions)	Exemption (with conditions)
Childcare Leave Benefit	Not applicable	Applicable	Applicable
Application method	Application through the attendance system only	ServiceNow or Paper-based application	ServiceNow or Paper-based application
Working during leave	ー	Permitted (with limitations on days, etc.)	Not permitted