Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Factors Associated with Occupation Changes after Pregnancy/Delivery:  Result from 
Japan Environment & Children's Pilot Study  
 
Version: 0 Date: 24 Apr 2017  
 
Reviewer: Lisa Russell  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This is an interesting topic area t hat deserves attention. The paper is generally written well but 
here are a few suggestions that I think may help clarify its focus and coherency.  
1) The title is a little cumbersome - The terminology 'Japan environment' may be more 
succinctly put (or ind eed left out) and I had difficulty understanding what the 'Children's 
Pilot Study' actually was - was this the name of the project? This aspect requires clarification 
further on in the paper.  
 
2) In the introduction 'background' context I recommend adding s ome more specificities such as  
using actual figures for percentages of females returning to work after having children - 2013 
data from the Ministry of Health is later quoted but this seems a little dated, do you have 
access to more recent data?  
 
3) I might be tempted to use 'employment' rather than 'occupation' in the key words to access 
international audiences better.  
 
4) Reference the 'internet based interview' study mentioned to add credibility to the argument.  
 
5) Further details would add context to the stu dy and help develop a firmer conclusion section. 
For example - how was the questionnaire data analysed? What type of questionnaire was 
used? When was the questionnaire administered and how? More context in terms of 
'occupational split' would be of use and a stronger link to how this may be related to socio -
economic status would be helpful, the literature informs us that socio -economic status and 
type of employment matter! What was the geographic spread of these women (in Japan)? 
What is the 'Children's Pilo t Study?' How were these women 'targeted' exactly, what was the 
sampling technique used? More on the policy context of helping working mothers get back to 
work (or not) would also be of interest here and would all help develop the rather scant 
conclusion o ffered. The conclusion is succinct but needs to be developed to link better to the 
existing literature and policy context.  
I encourage the author to add these details and make these amendments as the content of the 
paper is really interesting.  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in t he manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of  written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received  reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this  
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gai n or lose  
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salar y from an organization that 
holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
'I declare that I have no competing interests'  
 
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