Group 1 - The introduction of a "paternity leave system" in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) is a significant change that allows players to balance family responsibilities with their professional careers [7][9][19] - This system was influenced by the ongoing "declining birthrate" crisis in Japan, with the birth rate projected to fall below 700,000 in 2024, highlighting the need for supportive measures for families [11][13] - The NPB's acceptance of this proposal reflects a shift towards more flexible and humane management practices, which could enhance the league's image and attract younger talent [9][19] Group 2 - The current rigid rules in NPB, which require players to wait 10 days to rejoin the first team after being removed for personal reasons, have pressured players to choose between family and career [4][6] - In contrast, Major League Baseball (MLB) has had a paternity leave policy since 2011, allowing players to take a 72-hour leave for family reasons, which has been utilized by several Japanese MLB players [6][7] - The push for a paternity leave system in NPB was reignited after Shohei Ohtani's recent leave for family reasons, prompting the players' association to formally request this change [7][9]