Japanese startups focus on fertility issues to help retain female staff

With government commitment, companies keen to offer such support to women

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Femtech startups offering services that help companies retain female staff are emerging in Japan. (Nikkei Montage/source photo by Getty Images)

RURIKA IMAHASHI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Okayu cared deeply about her job in IT sales -- and also about the fertility treatment she was having. Eventually the 30-year-old decided it was impossible to reconcile both and unwilllingly resigned after concluding that her workplace could not accommodate her need to attend the fertility clinic at short notice.

"I gave up on my career to concentrate on the treatment," she said, complaining of a lack of understanding colleagues. "People told me that work and fertility treatment are easily compatible and some even told me I should put off the treatment if I want to be promoted."

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