Natsumi Ikoma
Department of Art, Literature, and Music, International Christian University
Even though Japan is recognized as one of the most advanced countries in the world, with respect to gender equality, Japan falls behind many countries supposedly less developed and less affluent. The Global Gender Gap Report 2012 ranks Japan at 101st. In East Asia, Japan is ranked below the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, and Malaysia. This is a strange phenomenon, considering the high percentage of women with university educations, and the increase in the number of women with occupations outside the home. My paper shows how conflicting views on gender still exist in Japan, and how the old male-centric view has so far hindered the emergence of true leadership among women. Even though women today have university educations, their space in the society is not the same as their male co-workers. Women are expected to take responsibility in home making and child rearing, as well as contribute to economic activities. Such imposed double and triple responsibilities put added stress on women; some young women who have the wish to become a housewife, are thus retreating to traditional women’s space. Although many companies nowadays have the policy of equal payment for equal work, since women cannot work as much and as hard as men given their responsibility at home, women are paid less and are less frequently promoted. As a result, there have not been many women of high enough status to influence the society and its views. Recently, however, we are witnessing more women aspire to become leaders. Dissatisfied with the current system of the society, they start their own businesses and networks so that they can create their own space and a way of life that suits their needs. This trend may bring about true leadership in women to effect a fundamental change in Japanese society.
(Presented in the 2013 Chulalongkorn Asian Heritage Forum: The Emergence and Heritage of Asian Women Intellectuals, 10-11 September 2013, Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Bangkok, organized by Institute of Thai Studies, Institute of Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts and Indian Studies Center, Chulalongkorn University)