Founder of ZOZO’s Small Step offers new support to single parents

No matter how many children you have, parenthood always has its challenges. This is especially the case for single mothers in Japan, many of whom also struggle financially. The average annual income of single mothers in Japan is 2.43 million yen (22,629 USD), while single fathers earn 4.20 million yen (39,193 USD). This data comes from a survey on single-parent households conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in 2018. These single mothers usually work part-time or low-paying jobs. Full-time or high-paying jobs require longer, less flexible working hours, which is a hurdle for single mothers.

Joint custody isn’t legally recognized in Japan. After divorce, one parent is expected to become the child’s custodian, and this usually ends up being the mother. The 2018 survey also revealed that 42.9% of these single-mothers have child support arrangements with their former spouse. However, only 24.3% of them actually receive the support.

Breaking the negative cycle with a support system

To help these financially ill-equipped single-mothers, business owner and founder of ZOZO, Yusaku Maesawa started a project via his new company “Chiisana Ippo (Small Step).” This project aims to ensure stable and continuous child support for single-parent households.

Single parents can apply for the service using their smartphones alone, without needing to step out of their workplace for a phone call or meeting. The company will contact former spouses on their behalf to ensure payment. Therefore, applicants also need not worry about the risks of visiting them alone. This is a major victory for those who filed for divorce to flee abusive partners. Maesawa encourages those without existing arrangements with their former partners to make use of this service. The company can help them prepare legal papers and guarantee that child support payments are made.

Under Japanese law, custodial parents can sue for child support when non-custodial parents fail to meet payment obligations. However, the process can be expensive and time-consuming. For a single mother already struggling to provide for her children, hiring a lawyer isn’t usually a possibility.

Challenge to Japan’s unresolved social issue draws attention

Maesawa explains that the motivation for this new business comes from his concern about child poverty. According to a Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions by the Ministry in 2015, Japan’s child poverty rate was 13.9%, while 50.8% of single-parent households are in poverty. Maesawa points out the correlation between unpaid child support and the high poverty rate of single-parent households, indicating his determination to find a solution.

In addition to offering support to single parents in need, Maesawa’s new business is also looking to improve their status in the workplace. With the launch of this service, the company has already created full-time and part-time job opportunities for 100 willing single parents. Those who successfully pass the screening and interview stages will work in the customer service department of the company. Reflecting the strong demand for these services, Maesawa’s Twitter account has been flooded with requests and supportive messages as awareness of “Small Step” continues to grow.