Japan minister becomes first to announce paternity leave

Shinjiro's decision to take paternity leave makes him the first serving cabinet minister to do so. Photo: AFP

JAPAN's environment minister said Wednesday he would take two weeks of paternity leave, the first time a cabinet minister has publicly committed to such a move in the country.

Shinjiro Koizumi, a media-savvy 38-year-old married to a former television anchorwoman, told a ministry meeting it had been a difficult decision to balance his duties as minister and his desire to be with his newborn.