Blogs and Articles from Third Way Forum Membrs

・In order to improve gender equality in Japan, a generational shift is required.

・But are young Japanese people different from the older generations? They still wear the same uniforms and follow the same customs just like older ones. Young people in Japan do not seem aligned with other Generation Z people in the rest of the world.

・It is easier to follow the customs and wear the uniform rather than thinking on their own. According to some survey, more Japanese women are willing to become managers when they join the company in their 1st year. But after their 2nd year, that number significantly drops. It seems they are disappointed at the reality of their company’s totally male-dominant and old-fashioned leadership and give up.

・After WW II to the end of the 20th century, the model of corporate men and housewives really worked well and helped the Japanese society grow. Today’s leaders grew up during that time period and their mindset is still stuck.

・Although Japan is still low on the gender gap ranking, some progress has been made. Tokyo governor is a woman and now the IOC chair person is a woman.

・But still Japan scored very very low across the board and especially in the category of the political empowerment. Basically, women have no power in the Japanese politics so far.

・Why Western countries such as European countries could make a lot of progress on gender equality over the past several decades? In Europe, there was a lot more and louder voices coming from people demanding gender equality. And they were overshooting for the target so that the released arrow could still reach far despite so much expected resistance from the older generations. Their voice was loud enough to pressure the government, society and companies. In Japan, such a voice demanding gender equality is still small and weak.

・Japanese people tend to not to say or do something against the current practice because they are afraid of potential punishment of being sidelined or excluded by upsetting older people who are controlling the society. Even if the Japanese also have a wish to change the situation, they are overwhelmed by the totally male-dominant social reality and feel helpless.

・As long as gender equality improvement is only an obligation for companies to make an effort without any penalty etc, companies will not make any serious effort. Maybe it is necessary to make it an obligation for companies to deliver the results with financial penalty if Japan really wants to change.

・Despite all sorts of efforts Japanese companies make in order to appear modern and appropriate on the web in the issues of gender diversity, LGBTQ etc, the fact of the matter is that most Japanese don’t even talk about their personal life at work. If foreigners read their webpage and believe what’s written there and come to work in Japan, they will most likely feel very much disappointed and uncomfortable at such a work environment. This strong group-mentality corporate culture that suppresses individuality and personality at work has to change if companies really want to promote any sorts of diversity.