Abstract
Objective : To explore the prevailing conditions in the childcare environment and to clarify the factors influencing the stress of parenting for Chinese mothers living in Japan, and to discuss the childcare support desired by these mothers.
Methods : One hundred thirty-two Chinese mothers with 0～6-year-old children living in the Kanto area with their spouses participated in a questionnaire survey aimed at the childcare environment and parenting stress in Japan.
Results : ①The proportion of Chinese mothers in employment was low, but most of those in work had part-time jobs. ②Those who had lived in Japan for longer periods had two or more children, although many Chinese women had only one child, and the birth interval was 4.9 years. ③Many of these mothers wanted to entrust their children to a day nursery in Japan.
Conclusion : Mothers raising their children in Japan require childcare support including prompt and effective harmonization with Japanese society, easy-to-use child care facilities and the chance to study Japanese or a well-baby clinic conducted in Chinese.
