Papa Danshi: Japanese men who enjoy fatherhood

Dentsu offers name "Papa Danshi" for enthusiastic dads

The old idea that Japanese men never help out with child rearing may be dying. Giant advertising firm Dentsu discovered that 73.4% of fathers with children under 12 are highly involved in their upbringing and that 86% of unmarried men in their 20s want to someday contribute in the same way. Dentsu calls them "Papa Danshi" -- "papa men."

Dentsu believes this new positive attitude towards family life correlates with a move away from total devotion to the firm.

We can't help but think that the low birth rate is making little tots seem more valuable than ever before. Nothing is more exclusive and 'limited-edition' than having your own child. Perhaps playing with your kid on the weekend is to today's men what polishing your Benz was for the 1980s Bubble generation: a status symbol. Or maybe -- hopefully? -- men are just more responsible this century.

In other news

The tale of the deaf Ginza hostess: Inspiring, but not particularly true, says the Shukan Post via Japan Today.

No, there are poor people in Japan: The Japan Times looks at the political impact of the nation's staggeringly high poverty figures.

Who says the Japanese no longer like European luxury brands?: Last week robbers stole ¥9 million at a smash-and-grab of an Osaka Louis Vuitton store. Mainichi reports.