As more Japanese women pursue their careers after marriage and childbirth, the traditional role of fathers is changing.

Now Japanese fathers are being invited to sit an exam to test their parenting skills.

Tetsuya Ando is the director of a non-profit organisation called 'Fathering Japan'.

"Fathers today are asked to support mothers. Single mothers raising children in an isolated environment can lead to all kinds of problems. A father should listen to the mother, understand what she goes through every day, because it will help mothers to cope with their stress."

The test, devised by Ando, is proving to be popular. More than 1,000 men across Japan have sat the test.

Ando said the exam is aimed at testing fathers' knowledge about childcare.

One father who sait the test is Kenichi Ito.

"The exam made me realise how I depended on my wife to know all the necessary knowledge about childcare and that I have been neglecting such an important matter. I now understood how great moms are."

Some of questions range from baby food matters and potty training, to a quiz on childcare leave.

The exam consists of 50 questions and a short essay.