In 2023, the overall gender gap index score in Japan reached 0.65 points, which shows an average gender gap of approximately 35 percent. Japan ranked 125th out of 146 countries covered by the global gender gap index, placing the country far behind other G7 nations.
Reasons behind Japan’s low ranking
Japan’s score in education and health indicated a closed or almost closed gender gap. However, in terms of political empowerment the country ranked well below the average global score, placing Japan at the bottom of the ranking within the East Asia and the Pacific region. A high disparity between men and women in economic participation was another crucial reason for Japan’s poor ranking compared to other industrial nations. The low scores were mainly due to the nation’s small number of female parliamentarians as well as a low ratio of women in managerial positions.
The situation of women in Japan
Modern Japanese women enjoy more freedom, have better access to education, and broader job opportunities compared to previous generations. Yet, traditional gender roles and male favoritism are still pervasive in Japanese culture. An ongoing discussion on gender equality measures, or the lack of such, was sparked by sexist remarks of high ranked officials involved in the organization of the Tokyo Olympics. This not only caused an outrage within the country, but triggered a strong backlash by international media. The resultant public recognition, domestically and abroad, of the stagnant position of women in contemporary Japanese society might fast-track the long overdue generational change, which seems necessary to incite diversity in the country.
Data prior to 2023 was retrieved from earlier editions of the publication. The figure for 2019 was not available.
Numbers have been rounded. The index scores shown in the graph may differ from the original three-decimal scores.
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World Economic Forum. (June 20, 2023). Gender gap index in Japan from 2016 to 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1227300/japan-gender-gap-index/
World Economic Forum. "Gender gap index in Japan from 2016 to 2023." Chart. June 20, 2023. Statista. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1227300/japan-gender-gap-index/
World Economic Forum. (2023). Gender gap index in Japan from 2016 to 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1227300/japan-gender-gap-index/
World Economic Forum. "Gender Gap Index in Japan from 2016 to 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 20 Jun 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1227300/japan-gender-gap-index/
World Economic Forum, Gender gap index in Japan from 2016 to 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1227300/japan-gender-gap-index/ (last visited August 24, 2024)
Gender gap index in Japan from 2016 to 2023 [Graph], World Economic Forum, June 20, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1227300/japan-gender-gap-index/