In Japan, numerous female physicians leave their work or reduce their working hours during the time of childbirth and child-rearing, which may extend to several years, and psychiatrists are no exception. To understand why highly motivated female physicians leave or reduce their working hours and the changes that are necessary for altering this situation, female psychiatrists were interviewed.
 Fourteen female psychiatrists who had experienced childbirth and child-rearing were asked to take part in the survey. They were introduced to the author via acquaintances. Semi-structured interviews were conducted roughly following an interview guide, but the interviewees were asked to react freely. MAXQDA12 was used for the analysis of the data to extract the codes and generate categories.
 Eleven female psychiatrists were interviewed. Twenty-six codes were extracted and seven categories were generated to describe coping behaviors: decision-making regarding career, actions necessary for raising children, coping behaviors associated with economic situations, behaviors to cope with the gender division of labor among family members, spousal respect, coping behaviors associated with professionalism and responsibility, and behaviors considering work-life balance. Thirteen codes were extracted and four categories were generated to describe needs: child-rearing and education, working style, reducing and resolving the gender division of labor, and information.
 These interviews revealed that female psychiatrists who experienced childbirth and child-rearing were often considerate and committed. They exhibited several coping behaviors and needs while continuing to work in their selected profession. One issue they encounter is the requirement of daycare of a sick child at short notice. We found that this issue is challenging and that their or their partners' parents frequently take care of sick children. However, this is a workaround and not a true solution, and the issue is expected to worsen in the near future. Some of the difficulties in managing work and child-rearing experienced by these women are related to the gender division of labor.
 On the other hand, there are some advantages for women in psychiatry. One such advantage is the relative ease in returning to work after maternity leave. In addition, psychiatrists do not have to change their work style with advancing age or physical decline. Lastly, they have many opportunities to work outside hospitals.
 Action to promote gender equality in the field of Japanese psychiatry must be taken.
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