The Environment Minister of Japan will be the first cabinet minister to take paternity leave.

Shinjiro Koizumi will take two weeks off after the birth of his first child this month.

Japanese law says men and women are entitled up to one year of leave after having a child. Parents are eligible for government benefits while on leave but aren't guaranteed pay from their employer.

According to government data, in 2018 only 6.16% of men took paternity leave, CNN reports.

CNN also reports, this is a significant decision because Koizumi seen as a future Prime Ministerial candidate. He is also the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

Yumiko Murakami, the head of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Tokyo Center, tells CNN taking leave after a child is born is difficult because of Japanese work culture. 

Parents worry that taking leave can impact their careers.

Public reaction to Koizumi’s decision to take leave has been mixed but sets an important precedent, according to CNN.