Papa's Day

What Is Papa's Day?

August 8th is "Papa's Day" in Japan. The date comes from reading "88" as "pa-pa" (papa). It was established by Karadanote Inc., which runs an information site and childcare apps for expectant and new mothers, and was recognized and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association in 2018. Its aim is to spark conversation between couples and to raise fathers' involvement in and interest in childcare.

A Day for Dads to Engage With Parenting

Karadanote, the company behind the day, has a corporate vision of "supporting family health and increasing smiles."

• Purpose: to create a chance for couples to talk and for fathers to take part in and take an interest in childcare
• Cultural context: it fits the trend in which the word "ikumen" (an actively involved father) has spread and fathers sharing housework and childcare is becoming the norm
• The wordplay: simply reading "88" as "papa" makes the date instantly memorable

How It Differs From Father's Day

While Father's Day on the third Sunday of June is a day to thank fathers, Papa's Day on August 8th focuses on fathers themselves engaging with childcare and family time. Incidentally, in Taiwan, August 8th is Father's Day, because the Chinese word for "papa," 爸爸 (baba), sounds the same as "eight-eight" (八八).

Tips for Marking This Day

• Take on a bit more of the housework or childcare than usual
• Enjoy cooking or shopping together with your kids
• Make time to talk with your partner about raising your children
• Spend time making summer memories together as a family

A Day for Dads to Act Brings More Smiles to a Family

Rather than simply being thanked, this day encourages fathers to get involved in childcare, fitting for an era when family forms are more diverse than ever. Why not make August 8th a day for Papa to roll up his sleeves for the family?