A group of university students in Japan is studying how to balance work and childcare through an initiative that explores “workations”—a blend of work and vacation. These students have interacted with working parents and organized events to learn about different work styles. Their project has helped them understand career choices and the importance of a supportive work environment.
Students Learning About Work and Family Life
In Japan, many people wonder how they can manage work while taking care of their children. This is an important concern, especially for young people who are thinking about their future. A group of female students at the University of Yamanashi decided to explore different ways of balancing work and childcare.
To do this, they started meeting parents who are raising children in both cities and rural areas. Their goal was to understand different work styles and learn from the experiences of working adults. They wanted to find out what challenges parents face and how they manage their responsibilities.
A Student-Led Initiative
The project began in June 2024. Six third-year students from the university’s Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences formed a student organization called “FC.” The name “FC” stands for words like “family,” “future,” “communication,” and “children.” These students wanted to explore different career options while preparing for their own futures.
Through their research, they discovered that many parents struggle to balance their jobs and childcare. Some parents work in offices, while others have flexible jobs that allow them to work from home. They also learned that some parents have found new ways to manage their work and family responsibilities, such as taking “workations.”
What is a Workation?
A “workation” is a combination of “work” and “vacation.” It allows people to continue working while enjoying a vacation-like environment. Parents who take workations bring their children along. While the parents work, their children can explore nature, participate in outdoor activities, or attend special programs.
The students were curious about this idea and wanted to see how it works in real life. They decided to organize a workation event to learn more about its benefits and challenges.
Organizing a Parent-Child Workation
In November 2024, the students arranged a parent-child workation in Kosuge, a small village in Yamanashi Prefecture. They invited parents and children from urban areas to participate in the event. The goal was to see if this type of work-life balance could be a practical option for working parents.
During the event, parents worked remotely while their children participated in various activities. The students interviewed the parents to understand their experiences. They asked questions such as:
- Was it easy to work in a vacation setting?
- Did the children enjoy their time?
- Did parents feel less stressed while working?
The feedback from the parents helped the students understand how workations can be useful for families. Many parents said that being in a peaceful, natural environment helped them focus better on their work. They also felt that their children benefited from spending time outdoors. However, some parents mentioned that it was sometimes difficult to balance both responsibilities at the same time.
Connecting With Rural Communities
After organizing the workation, the students wanted to hear more perspectives. In December 2024, they held a meeting in Kofu and Ichikawamisato, two cities in Yamanashi Prefecture. They invited local residents to share their thoughts about work-life balance.
During these discussions, they learned that people in rural areas have different experiences from those in cities. Some parents in rural areas have more flexible jobs, allowing them to spend more time with their children. Others work in agriculture or family businesses, where work and family life are naturally connected.
These meetings helped the students see that work-life balance depends on many factors, including job type, location, and personal priorities. They realized that there is no single “best” way to balance work and childcare—it depends on individual needs and circumstances.
Funding Through Crowdfunding
The students needed money to organize their activities, so they used crowdfunding to raise funds. Through this method, they collected about 300,000 yen (around $1,900). This money helped them cover the costs of organizing events and conducting research.
Using crowdfunding also allowed them to spread awareness about their project. Many people supported their efforts because they believed in the importance of finding better ways to balance work and family life.
Sharing Their Learnings
On January 25, 2025, the students held an event at their university to share what they had learned. About 50 people attended, including some who joined online. The students explained their research findings and discussed different approaches to work-life balance.
One of the students, Hinata Matsuda, spoke about how the project changed her perspective on work. She said, “I always thought I would work in a big city, but now I realize that where I work is not as important as what I do.” She added, “I want to focus on finding a job that allows me to do meaningful work while also maintaining a good personal life.”
Her words reflected what many young people are beginning to realize—job satisfaction is not just about location or salary. It is also about having a work environment that supports personal values and goals.
A New Perspective on Careers
This project gave the students a deeper understanding of work and family life. By interacting with working parents, they saw firsthand the challenges of balancing career and childcare. They also discovered that workations could be a helpful option for some families.
Through this experience, the students learned that work-life balance is different for everyone. Some people prefer working in cities, while others find rural life more suitable. Some parents need flexible jobs, while others can manage with traditional office work. There is no single answer—each person must find what works best for them.
