Japan has traditionally faced gender inequality in various aspects of society. Employment, advancement in your career, and societal expectations are some of the main areas where differences are present. The biggest issues facing Japan are the underrepresentation of women in politics and the low-status positions that they have in the workforce.
According to Dalton (2022), about 77 percent of Japanese women work today. They have a slightly higher rate than the OECD average of 66 percent. However, more than half of the women are employed in non-regular positions. ‘Non-regular’ work includes temporary, part-time, or casual employment characterized by limited job security, minimal benefits, low wages, and reduced social standing.
Additional inequalities seen in Japan are workplace harassment. Workplace harassment, particularly sexual harassment, remains a major concern in Japan, as it does in other areas of the world. Such sad events can have a negative impact on the workplace, making it uncomfortable and discouraging for women to pursue certain professional methods. These difficulties underline the importance of continuing efforts to develop inclusive and supportive workplaces that promote the well-being and dignity of all employees, regardless of gender. By creating harassment- and discrimination-free environments, Japan can promote equal chances and encourage more women to pursue varied professional paths without encountering unnecessary barriers.
~Reference~
- Dalton, E. (2022, June 26). Japan’s stubborn gender inequality problem. East Asia Forum. https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2022/06/28/japans-stubborn-gender-inequality-problem/
(Nanako McIntosh)
I am glad you are addressing this issue as it is one that personally concerns me as well. Japanese women are not the only ones suffering from discrimination, but I feel that there is an unconsciously lower status for women, especially in Japan, due to the characteristics of the Japanese people. I also think that in many cases, men themselves are not really conscious that they are discriminating. And in a similar way, I believe that women may unconsciously judge men sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to future posts on this blog as I hope it will make more people aware of this issue!
its a really complicated issue that is very hard to fix so its commendable that you would pick this. I guess what I would do is extend the benefits of working to part time jobs, but that would discourage hiring part timers so there is always a catch. good post 10/10
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