Support structures for OIST parents, especially of young children, are included below.
Parental Leave
The University conforms to the Act on the Welfare of Workers Who Take Care of Children or Other Family Members Including Childcare and Family Care Leaves (Childcare and Family Care Leave Act, Act No. 76 of 1991) and all relevant laws and regulations, allowing employees a healthier balance between family and work life.
- For employees:
- Maternity leave/Childcare leave (HR website)
- The Act on Childcare Leave / Caregiver Leave (Japanese Law).
- Holidays and Leave (HR website)
- For students:
Parent Handbook
For employees, we have created a Parents’ handbook for new and expecting parents in English and Japanese.
Parking Registration for Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, injured, or have difficulty walking, you may apply for a Limited parking permit for a maximum of 30 days. The parking permit may be renewed after 30 days. Parking registration for disability, injury, or pregnancy (OIST login required)
Mothers' Room
There are Mothers’ Rooms in the following campus locations:
- Lab 3, Level C, Room 729 (C729)
- Lab 4, Level C, Room 03 (L4C03)
- Lab 5, Floor C, Room 03 (L5C03)
These rooms are provided for OIST female faculty, staff, students, and family members who are pregnant or who have infants, and are in need of a place to rest, breast-feed or express milk. There is also a public space available in the Conference Center building. Use is limited to the above purposes and conditions. Please read the Rules of Use in advance.
Diaper Changing Tables
Changing tables are installed in all OIST buildings.
Village Area: Accessible bathroom in the Auditorium and Mothers' Room in the Conference Center
Center Building: Female bathroom in Level A and the accessible bathroom in Level C
Lab 1: Female bathroom in Level A, the accessible bathroom in Level B, C, D
Lab 2: The Accessible bathroom in Level A, B, C
Lab 3: The Accessible bathroom in Level A, B, C
Lab 4: The Accessible bathroom in Level C, E, F
Location Map (OIST Internal Use)
Business Travel Support Program
Under special circumstances, for child-rearing employees with children elementary school age and under who must travel to present their work at professional meetings, OIST will provide partial support for travel for the child or at-home child care. Taxes will be charged on the reimbursement amount of the expense. See more information here (OIST login required).
Ganjuu Wellbeing Service
The Ganjuu Wellbeing Service is free and open to anyone who is part of the OIST community and living in Japan. This includes anyone who works (including part time and temp staff) or studies at OIST as well as their family members. (Family member is intended to be a partner, husband, wife or child living in the same household). Occasionally we will work with a family members outside of the family home provided they are living in Japan. We provide services to children and adults and can work with individuals, couples, families and groups. We are developing a range of services in both English and Japanese, including consultation, workshops, psychotherapy, and a small library of resources. The library includes books on parenting.
Parent Café: Child-Rearing Support Community
OIST Recreation Services and Health Center work together to offer monthly casual spaces for OIST parents of babies and infants to have a sense of community and ask questions to Health Center staff. The space is open to OIST families planning to have children, pregnant individuals, families with young children, and families not yet using CDC. Registration is required in advance. See details on the Recreation Services Events page.
Teen Night
Organized by University Community Services, Teen Night offers an opportunity for teenagers to meet other teens and engage in fun activities. Open to grades 6, junior high and high school students only. Registration is required in advance. See details on the Recreation Services Events page.