イクメン

いくめん
noun
hands-on father; dad who is active in childcare
personfamily
1. hands-on father; dad active in childcare
A father who is actively involved in raising his children, doing tasks traditionally associated with mothers in Japan.
彼(かれ)はイクメンで、毎日(まいにち)保育園(ほいくえん)の送(おく)り迎(むか)えをしている。
He's a hands-on dad who takes his kid to and from daycare every day.
イクメンが増(ふ)えてきたと言(い)われている。
It's said that hands-on dads are increasing.
イクメンを目指(めざ)して育児(いくじ)休暇(きゅうか)を取(と)った。
I took parental leave, aiming to be a hands-on dad.

Etymology

A blend of 育児(いくじ) (childcare) and the ending of イケメン (good-looking guy), which supplies the trendy "-メン" ending.
Popularized in the late 2000s as part of government campaigns to encourage fathers to participate more in childcare. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare launched the イクメンプロジェクト in 2010.

Cultural note

In traditional Japanese society, childcare was primarily the mother's responsibility. The イクメン movement encourages fathers to take a more active role. The term reflects changing gender roles in Japan, though some criticize it for making basic parenting seem exceptional.

Related words

Related Words

Related: 育児(いくじ) (childcare)
Related: ワンオペ (solo parenting/operation)
Related: 育児休暇(いくじきゅうか) (parental leave)
Related: 育休(いくきゅう) (parental leave)
Related: イクボス (boss who supports work-life balance…)
Related: 専業主夫(せんぎょうしゅふ) (stay-at-home dad)
general
Added 2026.1.18 13:42 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
06500/06723_ikumen