JAPAN 2022 THE DEVIL YOU KNOW - Why Japan continues to shrug off the staggering costs of gender inequality - Ipsos
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JAPAN 2022 THE DEVIL YOU KNOW Why Japan continues to shrug off the staggering costs of gender inequality February 2022 IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION
INTRODUCTION
JAPAN:
EAST ASIA’S
WORST
PERFORMER
ON GENDER
EQUALITY
© www.marcospola.com
In 2020 Japan fell 11 places in the Yet, unlike countries with similarly HOW CAN WE EXPLAIN
World Economic Forum’s Report on
Gender Equality1 to the position of
low rankings, gender inequality is not
an obvious feature of everyday life in JAPAN’S LOW RANKING?
121st out of 153 countries in terms of Japan; it does not manifest in overt,
gender equality, followed by a slight oppressive, or aggressive ways. In The World Economic Forum classifies In terms of Educational Attainment
improvement to 120 th place out of fact, most Japanese women would each country’s overall gender (1.7% gap) and Health & Survival
156 countries in 2021. 2 At 34.4%, likely be unwilling to trade places equality ranking as comprised of four (2.7% gap), Japan is nearly
the gender inequality gap between with Japanese men, who carry their components: (1) Health & Survival, gender equal. A lack of Political
Japanese men and women is greater own burden of expectations. (2) Educational Attainment, (3) Empowerment (93.9% gap) and
than in 119 other countries, and the Economic Participation and Economic Participation and
greatest in East Asia. Opportunity and (4) Political Opportunity (39.6% gap) are the key
Empowerment. drivers of gender inequality in Japan.
FIGURE 01 FIGURE 02
OVERALL GENDER OVERALL GENDER ECONOMY
COUNTRY
EQUALITY RANKING EQUALITY GAP
1 ICELAND 10.8%
JAPAN SCORE
16 FRANCE 21.6%
EDUCATION
POLITICS
30 UNITED STATES 23.7%
34 MEXICO 24.3% AVERAGE SCORE
54 SINGAPORE 27.3%
102 SOUTH KOREA 31.3%
107 CHINA 31.8% HEALTH
120 JAPAN 34.4%
Although Japanese men and women are close to parity in the realms of
133 TURKEY 36.2%
Educational Attainment and Health & Survival, it is in Economic Participation &
140 INDIA 37.5% Opportunity and Political Empowerment where the greatest equality gaps persist.
Source: “The Global Gender Gap Report 2021”, World Economic Forum Source: “The Global Gender Gap Report 2021”, World Economic Forum
4 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION 5
SERIAL PROCLAMATIONS, COVID’S UNEQUAL IMPACT
LITTLE CHANGE In Japan, as in many countries, Covid in Japan declined by 3.2% between
has disproportionately negatively the end of 2019 and July 2020, the
The Japanese government has made While there are more women in the impacted working women. More decline of male workers was only
proclamations and set goals around workplace, however, the quality of likely to hold tenuous “non-regular” 0.8%.12 Women are over-represented
achieving greater gender equality their employment has not improved (contract and part-time) professional in the hard-hit food service and retail
over the past decade, yet progress at the same pace. Women continue to positions,10 Japanese women are the sectors where laying off workers is
continues to fall vastly short of make up two-thirds of “non-regular” first to go when times get tough.11 made easier by the prevalence of
stated intentions. Nearly a decade (part-time and contract) employment While the entire number of employees short-term contracts.
ago, former Prime Minister Abe positions which offer far less pay, job
embraced the idea of “Womenomics” security, training, and benefits. And
and removing barriers to fuller only 45% of women hold permanent
professional participation of women, employment contracts compared to FIGURE 03
setting the goal of having 30% of all 78% of men.6 In essence, women
management positions occupied by get far less for their labor in myriad CHANGE IN NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN JAPAN (IN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE)
women by 2020. By 2019, with less ways. And while the gender pay gap
-200 -100 0 100
than 15% of management jobs held by in the workplace is 23.5% at home,7
women3 and recognizing that the goal Japanese women do nearly 5 times as HOTELS AND FOOD SERVICE
would be missed by a wide margin, much unpaid labor as men. 8 LIFESTYLE SERVICE AND LEISURE
the government pushed the goal back
to 2030. In the context of Covid and When it comes to boosting female MANUFACTURING
the absence of major change, this corporate leadership, new guidelines
goal too is extremely likely to go (rather than binding requirements) WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
unmet. were set in 2015 to increase the INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
number of women on Japanese
Some gains have been made, however corporate boards, along with FINANCE AND INSURANCE
slowly and unevenly. The government the requirement to disclose the
has made increasing access to percentage of female executives in REAL ESTATE AND LEASING
childcare for working parents a corporate reporting. As of July 2019, HEALTHCARE
priority4 and, by 2021, female 63% of companies in the JPX 400 had
employment participation has risen to at least one female board member (vs. MALE FEMALE
72.8% (vs. 86.7%) for men.5 54% in 2018). Still, more than one-
third of boards remained all-male.9 Monthly average April–July 2020 compared to April–July 2019
Source: Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
6 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION 7
BOTTOM OF THE HEAP
FIGURE 04
The gender equality gap in Political Upper House.13 Although two female TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU AGREE WITH THE FOLLOWING
Empowerment continues to be politicians competed for the Labor STATEMENT: "ACHIEVING EQUALITY BETWEEN MEN AND
yawning, sinking Japan to a ranking of Democratic Party’s nomination for WOMEN IS IMPORTANT TO ME PERSONALLY".
147th of 156 countries. As of January Prime Minister in the past election, % WOMEN % MEN
2020, female representation in the Japan has never come remotely close AGREE AGREE
COUNTRY AGREE 65% DISAGREE 26% 69% 62%
Japanese parliament was only at 10% to having a female head of state. PERU 81% 80%
in the Lower House and 23% in the COLOMBIA 80% 75%
SOUTH AFRICA 78% 74%
SPAIN 81% 71%
CHILE 81% 69%
SO, WHERE’S THE OUTRAGE?
TURKEY 79% 72%
SERBIA 80% 69%
Despite Japan falling lower on the female applicants’ test scores to INDIA 76% 72%
gender equality rankings in recent prevent their admittance). In 2018, as MALAYSIA 77% 67%
years, and despite women earning #metoo protests took to the streets in ITALY 71% 73%
MEXICO 74% 67%
only 44% of what men do at work with countries around the world, including
ARGENTINA 72% 60%
little decision-making authority14 or in East Asia, they were noticeably met
CANADA 71% 62%
even voice in the realms of business with relative indifference in Japan. GERMANY 71% 59%
or politics, there is curiously little SWEDEN 73% 58%
conversation or energy around This seemingly resounding lack of BELGIUM 69% 60%
achieving greater gender equality concern around gender equality issues UNITED STATES 64% 62%
HUNGARY 60% 64%
in Japan, even among women is apparent in the results of an Ipsos
SOUTH KOREA 68% 55%
themselves. Occasionally, a story 2019 Global Advisor Survey. Among GREAT BRITAIN 68% 55%
of egregious gender discrimination the 27 countries surveyed, Japanese AUSTRALIA 69% 52%
does catch the media’s attention people were the least likely to agree BRAZIL 61% 61%
and becomes a point of societal with the statement: “Achieving FRANCE 63% 56%
reflection (e.g. the remark by 83-year gender equality is important to me, POLAND 58% 49%
NETHERLANDS 55% 50%
old Head of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics personally” (36%; 41% of women and
RUSSIA 50% 39%
organizing committee in February 31% of men). Even for women, gender JAPAN 41% 31%
2021 that women “talk too much” inequality appears not to be perceived
% AGREE 2018 (70%) % DISAGREE 2018 (21%) INDICATES
at meetings, and the 2018 scandal as an issue of personal relevance in DIFFERENCES
OF 10%+
around medical schools altering Japan.
Base: 18,800 online adults aged 16-64 across 27 countries, 21 Dec 2018 - 4 Jan 2019
Source: Ipsos International Women’s Day 2020 report
8 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION 9
SECTION 2
DRIVERS OF
INDIFFERENCE
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WHY ARE JAPANESE WOMEN FRAMING
NOT CLAMORING FOR GREATER
GENDER EQUALITY?
A “WOMEN’S ISSUE”
Three main drivers provide insight into
the dynamics at play: Japan is not exceptional in perceiving women to enable them to function
issues around gender inequality as more effectively in the corporate
being essentially “women’s issues”. workplace. The potential gains of
1 Even the most purportedly progressive addressing gender inequality are often
governments and organizations have perceived as belonging to women and,
Framing of gender inequality issues: What tended to focus potential solutions therefore, the onus to address gender
is gender inequality? Who does it affect? around how to “fix” or accommodate inequality is on them.
Who does it harm or benefit? Where are
these perceptions coming from?
LACK OF A SHARED UNDERSTANDING
2 A 2019 Ipsos Japan survey15 “Gender equality is being talked
revealed a lack of both understanding about a lot now and I think
Cultural Context within which gender and consensus about what constitutes women’s rights are becoming
inequality is intertwined with cultural “gender inequality”. Rather than equal with those of men. However,
practices, traditions, relationships, and understanding it as inequality of a part of me feels that it is a fact
foundational understandings. opportunity, gender equality was that men and women are good at
more often understood to mean that different things. Ignoring those
men and women must be treated different strengths is irrational. It
3 exactly the same. In Japan, genders is not meant to be male dominant,
have long been considered innately but it seems illogical to treat men
Institutional and Societal Context different, both biologically as well as and women equally. It has to be
that supports perceptions of gender possessing complementary strengths considered on a case-by-case basis
differences and upholds, propagates, and weaknesses. Men and women are to decide what kind of inequality
and reinforces strict gender roles across thought to each play their own critical may be suitable depending on the
the Japanese media, educational system, role, contributing to overall harmony situation.” Male, age 3916
and working culture and structure. and stability of Japanese society. As
one respondent of the Ipsos study
commented:
12 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW © www.marcospola.com IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION 13
THE SEPARATION OF THE PERSONAL AND THE POLITICAL CULTURAL CONTEXT
Another way in which framing plays It is up to me to navigate within the Much within the historical and contemporary Japanese cultural context explains
into the apparent ambivalence of existing structure to get my needs the apparent ambivalence towards gender inequality.
Japanese men and women towards addressed, rather than to raise my
gender inequality relates to how voice and try to affect change on a
personal experience or struggle is larger scale. To make my personal HIERARCHY AND ROLE DIVISION
not readily extrapolated to the bigger issues an issue of societal concern in
picture. In other words, my salary this context is unnatural and illogical. The adoption of Confucianism were to be full-time housewives,
being lower than my male co-worker’s Therefore, considering gender around 285AD contributed to the managing every aspect of the
for the same job is my personal issue. inequality as a larger societal issue transformation of Japanese society household and child-rearing, while
beyond the personal fails to register. into a hierarchical and patriarchal men were to devote themselves,
feudal structure. During the long body and soul, to the needs of the
Tokugawa period, the bushido (“way corporation.
of the warrior”) code of ideals and
behaviors served to further place Although the economic and
women in a position of dependence demographic structure of Japan
and subservience. Until 1946, women has changed dramatically in recent
lived under the authority of the male decades, a corresponding update in the
head of household. expectations and aspirations for the
lives of men and women has lagged.
Within this social structure, women Even among young women, the role
were to play a supportive role of full-time housewife is most often
and embody ideals of restraint, considered the aspirational ideal. A man
respect, organization, decorum and with a job that is stable and well-paid
modesty. Even today, women most enough to support a full-time housewife
typically fulfil roles of nurture, care can allow her the time, attention, and
and support within the family and energy to devote to the family and
society. Men serve as the public face, pursue her own interests. Men continue
protector, and financial provider of to strive to uphold these expectations,
the family. To enable the “economic yet the realities of an economy that
miracle” of the post-war period, has contracted and wages that have
government policy reinforced this stagnated over the past three decades
clear division of gender roles. Women makes this increasingly less achievable.
14 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW © www.marcospola.com IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION 15
The Ipsos study on gender in Japan part of being a family man in Japan.
revealed a high level of mutual It looks difficult, tiring and not nearly
respect between men and women in as emotionally gratifying as the role
the roles that each play. Rather than of wife and mother. In this way, the
focus on unfair differences in rights lack of energy Japanese women show
or privileges, our respondents spoke around achieving gender equality may
about the responsibilities that each be partly driven by a lack of aspiration
must take on. Women don’t envy the for the alternative.
pressures and limited free time that are
IDEALS OF FEMININITY
From a young age, girls in Japan good atmosphere and group harmony.
are conditioned to look and behave Being vocal, insistent, or demanding
in a “feminine” way. For Japanese of others is considered distinctly
women, the goal of embodying unfeminine. In this context, achieving
femininity informs how she dresses, positions of leadership and authority
walks, speaks and behaves. Feminine within corporate or political contexts
norms require behaving in a way can feel in conflict with feminine
that is soft-spoken, gentle, and ideals and, even worse, carries a
conscientious about maintaining a whiff of masculinity.
16 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW © www.marcospola.com IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION 17
INSTITUTIONAL & SOCIAL CONTEXT Most importantly, Japanese boys media messaging and social policy
and girls are not taught to reflect around what it means to be feminine
While Japanese culture creates a can do and be. Over the course of on their own assumptions and and admired reinforce this binary
firm foundation of clear gender roles a lifetime, these ideas become so experiences of gender. The limited choice as logical, reasonable… and
for men and women, the educational internalized that men and women choices offered according to gender even obvious.
system, media messaging and the don’t question the status quo and roles from childhood into adulthood
nature of work reinforce them, limiting limited options offered to them. go unquestioned. By the time that The 2021 Ipsos & Women’s Forum
ideas about what men and women a young woman faces the choice of Barometer Survey evidences this: 36%
pursuing a career or marriage and of Japanese agree with the statement
motherhood, she doesn’t question “A woman will always be happier in
EDUCATION why she must choose only one. The her role as a mother, rather than her
examples and messaging that she has professional life,” compared to 26%
The educational system in Japan Not only does the educational system received through family, education, across G7 countries.17
contributes to creating clear limit ideas about what men and
perceptions of gender difference women can do and be through
from a very early age. As Yuriko color-coding and gender stereotyping,
Murakami, former Head of the OECD’s the educational system fails to offer
Tokyo Bureau, explains, “Children education around issues of gender
have developed gender bias by and gender bias. The concept of
kindergarten or first grade.” Gender gender equality is taught as the law
is color-coded through name tags, of Japan, but there is no discussion of
uniforms, and backpacks. Although why it is important or what it means
gendered curriculums were abolished practically on a day-to-day basis.
in the 1990s, what remains today is Without frameworks or the vocabulary
a sort of “hidden curriculum” that to think about and discuss issues of
promotes and reinforces ongoing gender inequality, Japanese men and
unconscious bias. In textbooks, the women struggle to have a shared
doctor is male and the nurse female. definition of “gender inequality” and
The man returns from work while the to see its relevance.
wife waits at home.
18 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION 19MEDIA MESSAGING
FIGURE 05
The media plays a critical role in over the longer-term, the turnover of
reinforcing perceptions around female idols is far quicker. Amongst the
gender roles. Ideals of femininity most popular idol groups, males are at
projected through the media reinforce least 10 years older than their female
the expectation of a woman to be counterparts. Beyond age disparities,
supportive and willing to sacrifice women on television are typically
herself for the needs of others. From placed in secondary, support positions, TV Asahi’s cast feature young women and older men
variety shows to idol culture, women validating and expressing fascination https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/goodmorning/cast/
are shown in support positions to with what the men have to say.
men, and young women are treated as
time-limited, perishable commodities. In a world where social media FIGURE 06
removes traditional media
Especially in Japan’s ubiquitous gatekeepers, there are some signs
variety shows, a young, cute female of positive change. Former female
assistant is often paired with an newscaster Keiko Kojima has become
older male host. While the male host an activist since leaving her news
remains constant over years, and even career, founding an organization called
decades, the female assistants are FUN (Women’s Announcer Network)
routinely replaced after a certain time. to help women in news support
They are said to “graduate”, placing a each other and raising awareness The average age of members of popular boy band Arashi was around 37 vs.
positive spin on this forced stepping around the pressure put upon female 21 average age for popular girl group.
down of older women. Major television announcers to conform to a Japanese
news channels often feature male female ideal.19
personalities (rather than journalists) FIGURE 07
leading the afternoon shows, with However, traditional media has
Former TBS news announcer, Keiko
young female assistants.18 offered little in terms of role models
Kojima, has become an activist raising
to widen perspectives about what
awareness around gender bias in
This manner of treating young women men and women can be and do
television news.
as generic commodities that require within Japanese society. Television
regular “refreshing” can be seen in and movies lack images of working
celebrity culture as well. While many mothers able to competently balance
male “idols” can sustain popularity professional life and family life.
20 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION 21WORK STRUCTURE AND CULTURE
The feminine world lies within the their jobs within 10 years.20 The men Add to this arrangement the societal These pressures are felt intensely
domestic realm in Japanese culture, are the leaders and “lifers”, setting conditioning that places motherhood and go relatively unquestioned. The
while the external world of work the tone, structure, and rhythm of the as a woman’s highest purpose and individual tends to accommodate
and politics is that of men. As such, Japanese workplace. the widely-held belief that a child’s herself to the situation. The personal
the corporate world is perceived as first 3 years of life should be spent burdens and challenges are made to
essentially masculine. While most Career progression is typically physically close to the mother, it is feel like one’s own failing, rather than a
women in Japan do work professionally, seniority-based, which penalizes no wonder that women with children larger societal issue. In fact, this is all
their presence - until recently - was women who must take time off for perceive enormous pressure to leave the product of a government, corporate
typically deemed as temporary (until maternity leave. Women returning from the workplace and become full-time structure and society that operates
they marry/have children), and best maternity leave are typically offered a mothers. In Japan this is called a under the assumptions of strict gender
suited to support roles. “jitan” (時短) arrangement of reduced “specialized housewife”. roles that no longer suit the societal
hours and reduced salary. This practice and economic realities of Japan.
The decision to pursue a career or not puts working mothers on a “mommy
is made when a woman is hired into track” of limited expectations and
either the administrative track limited career progression. The salary
(一般職) with its shorter hours and reduction and increased difficulty IN SUMMARY…
lesser demands, or the management securing childcare and tax incentives
track (総合職). In 2014, only 22% of make continuing to work challenging Within Japanese society, the way that issues of gender inequality are framed,
female employees chose to enter the and less financially rewarding. the cultural context, and the institutional and social context all reinforce ideas
management track. Of these, 60% left and practices, working in conjunction to limit conceptions of what men and
women can do and be. Conditioned since early childhood, and visible across
every aspect of society, a belief that gender differences are natural and
necessary is deeply internalized. This means that neither Japanese men nor
women question the status quo and the limited life paths open to them.
22 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION 23A GENERATIONAL DIVIDE
Part of the reason that Japan’s attitude by working, but they still must bear
towards gender equality looks like the burdens of housework and child-
ambivalence is that the younger rearing. This is impossible to balance,
generation lacks political and institutional especially when you have a nursing
influence and power, and has not yet or sick child. I think that the mindsets
reached decision-making leadership and social systems don’t recognize
positions. In Japan, young people tend that these old values don’t match with
not to vote, contributing to the problem today’s realities.” Female, age 37 22
that their needs and viewpoints are
brushed aside in favor of those of an What may look like ambivalence from
older generation, who diligently turn up at an aggregate perspective reflects the
the polls. In Japan’s most recent general confusion of societal forces pulling in
election, just one-third of people in their two directions: an older generation
twenties cast their ballot compared to tethered to traditional value systems
72% among people aged 60-69.21 and their own highly-gendered life
experiences as reference points versus
Younger Japanese may want and need a younger generation with greater
change, but they do not have a strong awareness and sensitivity to gender
enough voice to accelerate change. As a inequality when experienced personally,
result, they are pushed in two directions: especially within the work context.
between systems and structures based
on former realities and traditional value As the older generation passes the
systems, and an economy that often torch to the younger generation, and
requires a two-income family and greater as economic necessity continues
flexibility in strict gender roles at home. to push women into the workplace,
As one female respondent remarked: attitudes and beliefs about the
relevance and necessity of strict
“The idea that men work outside gender roles will likely evolve.
the home and women take care of Simultaneously, economic necessity
the home is deeply-rooted. However, will drive behavior change, which
today’s reality is that women need will eventually result in new values,
to contribute to household finances aspirations, and beliefs.
24 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW © www.marcospola.com IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION 25SECTION 3 REFRAMING THE ISSUE
INCONVENIENT TRUTH wages and economic growth. Currently, dynamic, and talented young women
TO HUGE OPPORTUNITY Japan is investing in providing equal
education to girls and boys, but
who feel they cannot thrive in these
circumstances often join foreign
then throws away the investment companies or leave Japan altogether,
If progress on gender inequality Put simply, addressing gender equality by maintaining work structures and gaining education and building careers
is inevitable, and if about half of issues could potentially provide answers cultures that underutilize women and where they feel they will be most
the population are not concerned to Japan’s most urgent challenges; discourage their long-term, meaningful valued.
about gender inequality while the economically, societally, and individually. participation. Japan’s most ambitious,
other half is not vocally protesting, Japan no longer has the luxury of
why the need to push for change? underutilizing the talents, skills, and
As urgent priorities like the strain knowledge of half of its citizens across THE SOCIETAL OPPORTUNITY
of a ballooning elderly population, its business and political spheres. Nor
increasing inequality, and Japan’s can it afford to keep the other half from The Japanese population has been men and women are simply choosing
diminishing international influence fully participating in family life. Gender shrinking every year since 2008. not to marry and have children, hence
and competitiveness beg for attention, equality must be understood as an And, thanks to increasing longevity the famous “demographic timebomb”
what is the relevance of gender? opportunity for all of Japan’s citizens, combined with a declining marriage of more old people and fewer young
both men and women, to fulfill their rate and declining birth rate, Japan is people, squeezing society at both ends.
full potential. famously the world’s fastest-ageing
nation24 with 28% of the population Addressing gender inequality to create
aged 65 or above. 25 more flexible work structures and
THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY cultures will allow Japanese couples
Part of the reason for the decline greater flexibility and resources to
The positive economic impact that retires and younger generations cannot in marriage has to do with the combine careers and family life by
more women in the workplace brings fill the gaps. In 2010, Goldman Sachs restructuring of corporate Japan over sharing work and care responsibilities.
is widely acknowledged in Japan; in estimated that, if Japan’s female the past three decades from “regular”
fact, women’s empowerment (versus professional participation rate matched employment with benefits and security Scandinavian countries are well-known
“gender equality”) was positioned that of males, GDP would be boosted by towards “non-regular” employment to be the most gender-equal and,
as an economic growth strategy of 15%.23 with lower salaries, no benefits, and likely not by coincidence, tend to have
former Prime Minister Abe’s 2013 no security, as well as long-term higher fertility rates compared to the
“Womenomics” initiative. A higher level The opportunity is not just about wage stagnation. There are simply EU average and rank as the happiest
of female participation at all levels of the numbers of workers filling gaps, but fewer men that can afford to support nations on earth. What new kind of
workforce is essential to address the also about improving the quality of the a family with a full-time housewife. family life could we imagine for young
labor shortage and ever-growing public work that women do. This will improve With a pragmatic attitude towards Japanese couples and children?
spending needs as the older generation Japan’s lagging productivity and boost marriage, more and more Japanese
28 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION 29THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL
The OECD’s 2018 PISA study reveals more than 14% for women and, sadly,
that, amongst 30 OECD countries by nearly 30% for elementary school
surveyed, only 15-year-olds in Turkey students as well. 28
and the UK rated their life satisfaction
lower than Japanese 15-year-olds. 26 How could greater gender inequality
Despite strong improvement since give a greater sense of opportunity,
the number of suicides peaked in optimism and possibility to Japanese
2003, Japan continues to have the younger people? By releasing men and
highest suicide rate of the group of 7 women from the pressure of fulfilling
advanced economies. Notably, suicide strict gender roles that only suit some,
is the top cause of death for those how much human potential could be
aged 15-39. 27 The pandemic appears unleashed as each individual has the
to have only worsened the situation opportunity to choose his/her own
for women and young people; in 2020, path to find fulfillment, satisfaction
the overall suicide rate increased by and joy?
+3.7% in Japan, but increased by
IN SUMMARY…
Gender equality is not the end-goal in itself, but also the means to an
end that will create opportunity for all of Japan’s citizens to fulfil their full
potential, with benefits to be had economically, societally and individually.
Without a doubt, greater gender equality is essential to achieving a more
prosperous, more hopeful, and healthier Japan.
30 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW © www.marcospola.com IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION 31SECTION 4 THE VALUE OF DIVERSITY
Japan is moving in the right direction Board diversity in Japan’s top companies Corporate and political Japan may an educated, capable workforce,
when it comes to addressing issues of (the Nikkei 225) is only at 6% in 202029 now be starting to speak the language a strongly cohesive and peaceful
gender inequality in the economic and and, although the Tokyo Stock Exchange of diversity, but the value of diversity society, wealth, and technology.
political spheres, but progress is too has set new guidelines for reaching is likely not well-understood, and Continuing to favor the status quo
slow and uneven. New Prime Minister female inclusion on corporate boards, certainly not internalized. Homogeneity when it comes to gender inequality
Kishida’s cabinet includes three women the American NASDAQ has been more is perceived to enable Japanese means a Japan that decides that
out of 24 members (see Figure 8 below). forceful in setting strict requirements. society’s incredible social cohesion and shrinking is better than changing.
has thus long been perceived as one of
Japan’s greatest strengths, preserving As noted by Bill Emmott in his book
FIGURE 08 a society that is cooperative, peaceful, Japan’s Far More Female Future
and stable. Sameness is a strength, (Oxford University Press, 2020), “the
not diversity. three decades of Heisei [era] have […]
seen Japan lose its world champion
Against this cultural backdrop, the status”, with depressed real incomes,
value of diversity to a workplace or lower household consumption and
an institution is not fully understood savings, and lower expectations that
or embraced as a way to navigate result in less frequent marriage and
the challenges of rapid demographic, fewer children, not to mention
economic, environmental, technological steadily growing levels of poverty
and geopolitical changes. To the and inequality.30
individual and organization, “diversity”
as a concept is likely just as poorly “The result is that a country that
understood and seemingly irrelevant could and arguably should be a high-
as “gender equality”. wage, high-quality place, operating
at or near the technology frontier […]
Until the value of diversity is truly enters Reiwa [era] as a surprisingly
understood and internalized by low-wage, even high poverty society.
Prime Minister Kushida (front, centre) and cabinet government and corporate leaders, It doesn’t look like that if you wander
Japan will continue to struggle to the streets of Tokyo. But it is.”31
make gains in gender equality. Japan
has innumerable strengths, including
34 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW IPSOS FLAIR COLLECTION 35IN CONCLUSION REFERENCES
An advanced society in so many Yet, enabling all of Japan’s citizens to 1. World Economic Forum’s 2020 Report on Gender Equality.
ways, Japan lags far behind other achieve their full potential in a more
2. World Economic Forum’s 2021 Report on Gender Equality.
industrialized nations and its Asian gender-equal society can unleash
neighbors in achieving gender enormous benefits economically, 3. “Slow Progress on Gender Spurs Calls for Legal Targets,” Eric Johnston,
equality. Yet, among Japanese societally, and individually. Without The Japan Times, September 17, 2021, p.4.
men and women, there is seeming a doubt, greater gender equality 4. According to the OECD Survey of Japan, p. 19, under the Abe government, Japan
ambivalence around issues of gender is essential to achieving a more added 530,000 childcare places and 300,0000 after-school places in 2013-2017
inequality in Japan. prosperous, more hopeful, and
healthier Japan. 5. World Economic Forum’s 2021 Report on Gender Equality, p.233.
Causal factors include the way that 6. Emmott, Bill. Japan’s Far More Female Future. Oxford University Press,
issues of gender inequality are While the status quo (“the devil you 2020, p. 27.
framed, the cultural context, and how know”) may seem like the easier
7. World Economic Forum’s 2021 Report on Gender Equality, p.234.
the institutional and social context path in the short-term, Japan’s
reinforce ideas and practices, limiting continued lagging behind on gender 8. World Economic Forum’s 2020 Report on Gender Equality
ideas about what men and women can equality issues is creating missed
9. https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-trends/Japan-s-all-male-
do and be. opportunities and holding its people
boards-face-rejection-by-foreign-investors
back from a far brighter future.
A belief in gender differences as 10. Emmott, Bill. Japan’s Far More Female Future. Oxford University Press,
natural and necessary is deeply 2020, p.28.
internalized, so that both Japanese 11. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Big-Story/Success-and-suffering-
men and women do not question the The-pandemic-s-burden-on-working-women
status quo.
12. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Datawatch/Women-bear-brunt-of-Japan-
s-pandemic-job-losses
The assumptions of strict gender roles 13. “Slow Progress on Gender Spurs Calls for Legal Targets,” Eric Johnston,
no longer suit the societal and economic The Japan Times, September 17, 2021, p.4.
realities of Japan.
14. “A growing push for equality”, The Japan Times, August 26, 2021.
15. 2019 Ipsos Japan Survey, “Attitudes towards Gender Inequality”.
16. 2019 Ipsos Japan Survey, “Attitudes towards Gender Inequality”.
36 JAPAN 2022: THE DEVIL YOU KNOW17. https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2021-06/
Women%27s%20forum%202021%20report%20G7.pdf
THE IPSOS FLAIR PROGRAMME
18. Some examples: https://www.ntv.co.jp/sukkiri/ https://www.fujitv.co.jp/viking/ “The Devil You Know” dives into the In this way, Flair uses Ipsos surveys
issue of gender equality in Japan and external data sources – the hard
19. https://www.huffingtonpost.jp/entry/story_jp_61246746e4b07fee0cb0be2d
and is part of an ongoing Ipsos Flair facts – as a starting point for the
20. https://www.businessinsider.jp/post-34485 programme in the country, developing expression of our experts’ points of
21. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211029-generation-gap-why- articles on key topics of interest view. We look at the signals in society
japan-s-youth-don-t-vote today. that indicate the development of
broader trends, focusing on changes
22. 2019 Ipsos Japan Survey
Flair seeks to transform survey results in markets, sectors, and values,
23. “Womenomics 3.0: The Time is Now”, Goldman Sachs, 2010. into inspiring insights, capturing the and connect the dots to understand
mood of a society, drawing on our people’s feelings and expectations.
24. https://www.oecd.org/economy/ageing-inclusive-
experts’ intuition. Beyond the figures,
growth/#:~:text=Japan%20is%20experiencing%20the%20fastest,most%20
Flair wants to understand the deeper Flair is also developed in Brazil, China,
significant%20challenges%20from%20ageing.
motivations and perspectives of Colombia, France, India, Indonesia,
25. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-japan-marriages- consumer-citizens. Italy, Russia, Mexico, Peru, South
idUSKBN2AM1FY Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.
26. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/c414e291-en/index.html?itemId=/
content/component/c414e291-en
For more information, please contact:
27. https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h00857/
28. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/01/22/national/japan-suicide-rate/ Yves Bardon, Ipsos Flair Programme Director
Yves.Bardon@Ipsos.com
29. https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-trends/Japan-s-all-male-
boards-face-rejection-by-foreign-investors
Yuko Yamanobe Marketing & Communications, Ipsos in Japan
30. Emmott, Bill. Japan’s Far More Female Future. Oxford University Press, Yuko.Yamanobe@Ipsos.com
2020, p.31.
31. Emmott, Bill. Japan’s Far More Female Future. Oxford University Press,
2020, p.31.JAPAN 2022 THE DEVIL YOU KNOW AUTHORS Deanna Elstrom Strategic Insight Partner, Ipsos in Japan Erina Miyazaki Research Manager, UU, Ipsos in Japan Japan Photos provided courtesy of Marco Spola Photography www.marcospola.com Ipsos Editions January 2022 www.ipsos.com @Ipsos
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