Asian Angle | Japan wants more women executives, but also still believes they belong at home
- Japan wants barriers women face in the workforce removed, as part of a drive for 30 per cent of executives at large companies to be women by 2030
- But the drive is less about promoting women’s social advancement than ensuring a future-ready workforce amid chronic labour shortages
The policy document notes that the appointment of women as executives in major Japanese firms has continued to “significantly lag behind internationally”, stressing that “increasing the number of female board members is an urgent issue for the future growth of the Japanese economy”.
The gender disparity in Japan extends beyond the percentage of executives who are female. Many women take time off work in their late twenties and thirties for maternity or childcare leave.
During this time, their careers temporarily come to a halt. This creates a disparity in career progression between them and male employees who continue working steadily, making it difficult for them to reach managerial positions. To overcome such barriers to work, some Japanese companies are now considering introducing mechanisms to ensure a better work-life balance.
02:20
Japan rolls out ‘last-chance’ efforts to curb population decline
The target number for women executives outlined in the policy document only applies to companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s prime market, which employ just 4 per cent of Japan’s total workforce.