Women in Japan - statistics & facts
Approximately 64 million women live in Japan, which constitute the majority of the country’s population. They also enjoy one of the longest life expectancies in the world. With a longer, more affluent life to live, the lifestyle of Japanese woman has changed, and the mean age at first marriage has risen. This has led to declining birth rates, as children are usually not born out of wedlock in Japan. To compensate for the declining and aging population, the Japanese government has actively promoted the further integration of women into the workforce. Consequently, modern Japanese women often encounter a social dilemma and pressure of establishing a career while simultaneously fulfilling the responsibilities of giving birth and child-rearing to sustain society.
The concept of yamato nadeshiko describes the classic ideal of Japanese women: a beautiful but modest female, dedicated to the wellbeing of her family and husband. She is assertive and smart, yet obedient, dependent, and bound to the domestic sphere. While the traditional role of good wife, wise mother is a notion of bygone days, it still affects the way womanhood is portrayed in contemporary Japan.
Nevertheless, the number of women in leadership positions remains comparatively low. Factors such as long working hours and informal gatherings after work, which represent networking opportunities, make it difficult for employees with childcare responsibilities to advance within the workplace.
While attitudes on traditional gender roles may have shifted in recent decades, social change has since been a gradual movement, and by no means has Japan reached an equal society. However, with rising media coverage on gender issues, an increasing number of scholars and activists concerned with sexism and feminism, and an actual need for strong women in Japanese society, the concept of gender equality is likely to be pushed further forward.
The concept of yamato nadeshiko describes the classic ideal of Japanese women: a beautiful but modest female, dedicated to the wellbeing of her family and husband. She is assertive and smart, yet obedient, dependent, and bound to the domestic sphere. While the traditional role of good wife, wise mother is a notion of bygone days, it still affects the way womanhood is portrayed in contemporary Japan.
Working mothers in Japan
Despite a high educational level, the career path of women is typically interrupted for longer periods upon the birth of their first child. As it is not common for fathers to take parental leave, childcare is mainly allocated to mothers. After the childcare years, women tend to work part-time, which means lower wages and fewer career opportunities, and they need to financially rely on their husbands. This puts women in a tight spot: to comply with conservative expectations, they must compromise their autonomy. Politicians have acknowledged the need for a social system in which women can maximize their potential. New policies aimed at, for example, facilitating the availability of childcare institutions, thus enabling higher compatibility of work and family life.Nevertheless, the number of women in leadership positions remains comparatively low. Factors such as long working hours and informal gatherings after work, which represent networking opportunities, make it difficult for employees with childcare responsibilities to advance within the workplace.
The long road to gender equality
Women in Japan also face challenges in their love and social lives. Sexuality in Japan is often presented through the male gaze, with women being considered the object of desire, rather than being sexually assertive themselves. Incidents of stalking, indecencies, or everyday sexism are comparably common in Japan. Due to the exposure victims must face, women frequently shy away from reporting sexual harassment. This is not only true for Japan, but the country’s shame culture, which heavily revolves around not losing one’s face, constitutes an additional hurdle.While attitudes on traditional gender roles may have shifted in recent decades, social change has since been a gradual movement, and by no means has Japan reached an equal society. However, with rising media coverage on gender issues, an increasing number of scholars and activists concerned with sexism and feminism, and an actual need for strong women in Japanese society, the concept of gender equality is likely to be pushed further forward.
