Mental Health Issues Related to Childcare Among Fathers in Okinawa Prefecture and Indonesia

Naoki Hokama (Faculty of Nursing, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan)
Mayumi Sato (Tokyo University of Information Science, Chiba, Japan)
Andi Muhammad Fiqri Muslih Djaya (Niigata University of Health and Welfare)
Kiyoko Imura (Faculty of Nursing, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, Japan)
Seika Seto (Ishikawa Prefectural College of Nursing, Kahoku, Japan)

Indonesian Contemporary Nursing Journal (ICON Journal)
Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): Volume 11 Number 1 August 2026

This paper examines mental health issues related to fathers' childcare in Okinawa Prefecture and Indonesia based on existing research data. In Okinawa Prefecture, economic difficulties and lack of childcare knowledge have been identified as major factors increasing fathers' psychological burden, with particularly high risks in low-income households. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, strict role divisions based on religious teachings and father absence due to labor migration have profound impacts on the mental health of entire families. National surveys in Japan indicate that fathers' postpartum depression risk reaches 8-13%, with long working hours and sleep deprivation being major risk factors. While research specifically focused on fathers is limited in both regions, the necessity for comprehensive support including establishment of consultation services, expansion of childcare leave systems, and provision of childcare knowledge is suggested. This paper aims to clarify the characteristics of fathers' mental health issues in two regions with different cultural and economic backgrounds and provide insights for future support system development.