How can Japan rank so low for gender equality? – Asia Specific podcast, BBC World Service
Japan has been ranked the lowest in East and South East Asia for gender equality in a major annual index, even though the country now has a female Prime Minister.
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Japan ranked 117th out of 145 countries in the World Economic Forum’s latest gender gap index, lagging behind regional neighbours China and South Korea.
One of the WEF’s key considerations is female political representation, but the historic rise of the country’s first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi over the past year has done little to move Japan’s ranking.
In mid-October, Takaichi stirred debate by saying she spends three to four more hours a day than her male predecessors on housework and make-up, drawing criticism that she is reinforcing expectations that women should do more domestic duties.
So is Japan’s first female prime minister a trailblazer for women, or a reminder of how deep traditional expectations run?
On this episode of Asia Specific podcast, host Mariko Oi is joined by Tokyo local councillor Risa Kamio alongside the Editor of the podcast Bill Birtles.
00:00 Introduction
02:25 World Economic Forum’s gender gap report
06:19 Japan’s low ranking in gender parity
07:16 What is it like for working mothers in Japan?
08:59 Challenges for Japanese women
10:16 How is Sanae Takaichi’s appointment viewed?
11:49 Sanae Takaichi’s comment about housework
13:09 How Takaichi’s comment reflects on Japanese women
15:13 Backlash on Japanese mayor taking maternity leave
16:38 Are things progressing for Japanese women?
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Instagram: @bbcworldservice
Email: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: Mariko Oi
Producers: Derek Cai, Cordelia Lee, Cheyenne Lim
Camera: Muhammad Firdaus Bin Mohd Ansary, Rosalehin Bin Rosli
Editor: Bill Birtles
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30 Comments
Dr. Bandy Lee would be an excellent leader/Queen of our world…❤AWOMAN ❤Tru dat ❤Let it be received ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Japan is not South-East Asia!
"Japan… technologically… advanced"… This needs a twenty-first-century update, Bill.
From my perspective, I see this not as a conservative view held by the prime minister, but as a revolutionary way of bringing domestic work into the public sphere.
For so long, women's activities, such as doing household chores, applying makeup, and raising children on their own (some women genuinely enjoy these activities and choose to do them without being forced to), have been regarded as less valuable than women's participation in the workforce and leadership.
If you have ever done these things yourself, you would know that doing household chores requires multitasking skills. And raising children on your own requires a complex set of skills: you need leadership qualities, empathy, a sense of responsibility, and the ability to care for others, all at the same time.
For working women, Takaichi also expressed support for expanding access to daycare in her speech.
I think this is a better interpretation of feminism, the prime minister supports women's right to choose whatever path they want, as long as they are not forced into it.
Good habits start at home especially cleaning, cleaning is an 100/hr $ depndnf on the level
BBC has an "Asia Specific" podcast 🤣😂🤣 How pathetic! Similar to the Grammy's and their Asian Pop category. This ain't the 1900s anymore. Move on
If I didn't knew the answer, I would've said SK
BBC gender stupidity? Indonesia and Malaysia Islamic culture?
Just as well Japan isnt as anti female (whatever a woman is) as Australia, UK and North Korea!!
I am Japanese, but there are some things that cannot be gleaned from a paper report.
You shouldn't put too much faith in liberal ideas. Just look at the mess Europe is in today.
Bring your gender equality agenda to Saudi Arabia, BBC. They love equality in Saudi Arabia.
Not all women are feminists is the case with her
Women at home for the sake of child and elderly care work on line at very conservative rewards. Besides Once you are categorized in "Senior-women", work opportunities and wages squeezed down. As Japanese tends to meet the so-called "standard", good or worse, there's always been tiers of criteria-met and of outliers in Japan.
What Japan needs is a prime minister who improves the lives of its people, not one whose defining characteristic is whether they are a woman or a man.
The Japanese government created the Technical Intern Training Program for foreign workers, yet tolerates insults directed at non-white people online. It fails to help foreign children who are bullied.
When it comes to immigration issues, white people are the only ones who are spared criticism and insults and are able to enjoy their lives in Japan.
Very nice channel🎉 Appreciate putting together many insights
私の法科大学院の友人（女性）が、政治を変えたいが政治家にはなりたくない、その理由に関する質問に対し、非常に単純明快な答えをしていた。
「議事堂が喫煙だから嫌だ。人の煙草でシワシワの顔にされたくないもん。受動喫煙と三次喫煙で喉が痛くなって咳が出るから。癌にされたくないからね。」
これはその女性個人に限ったことではない。多くの女性が感じていることであろう。ここでいう「日本特有の喫煙所文化」とは、１つの象徴であり、その一例を通して述べられているのは男性中心主義の暗喩である。
実際に本当の議論は議事堂の喫煙室の中で行われる。NHKテレビで国会中継を映すが、それは表面的な受け答えである。現実には前以て喫煙室の中で根回しが行われ、ほぼ決定されている。議事堂で見られる議論は、もどきでありショーであるとしばしば言及されている。日本の国会議事堂には
百以上の小さく分かれた喫煙室があり、その中に数人ずつ分かれて入り、事実上の話し合いはほぼ済まされている。勿論、根回しが行われるのは喫煙室のみではなく、あらゆる個人的接触である。
なお、ここで重要な点を１つ指摘しておきたい。現職総理大臣である女性、高市早苗氏は喫煙者である。
It's fascinating how Westerners seem to think their own values are the universal standard by which the rest of the world should be judged. How wonderfully open-minded of them. 🙃
Politicians and businessmen usually have shady meetups or illegal pleasure activities regardless of Western or Eastern cultures, I am not saying they are doing the right thing but this situation may be why female counterparts cannot join bigger tables.
Happy single Lady here 🎉
I can fully understand why the male reporter was perplexed by Takaichi’s comment. She hates giving testimony in the Diet and wants to avoid attending as much as possible, so she used being busy with housework and putting on makeup as an excuse. As Mariko pointed out, Takaichi has absolutely no interest in advancing women’s rights. She even said herself, “My mindset is similar to that of male owners of small and medium-sized businesses.” Despite this, whenever she finds herself in a tight spot, she invariably plays the “female card” to elicit public sympathy. Takaichi is that kind of underhanded person. Regardless of her gender or political beliefs, she is simply a liar who lacks the competence to serve as Prime Minister.
The problem with ratio-based indices like the Global Gender Gap Index is that they lack cultural context. For example, many women in Russia or Germany may aspire to pursue military careers, whereas in Japan or South Korea, fewer may want to due to cultural norms, and they may be happy to do so.
That said, gender ratios matter more in politics, where fewer women could mean less representation for women’s rights. But blindly relying on these indices and try to make it everything 1:1 ratio can lead to nonsense policies that ignore cultural differences and the reasons behind gender gaps.
Why do people only mention political representation, and climbing corporate ladders when it comes to women empowerment? I was happy to have resigned as a office clerk as soon as I got married, and then I have twin children now. There are so many resources and tips that can prompt mothers to start-up their own business as mothers or homemakers.
That said, I have never aligned with the established, conservative, patriarchal and male dominated society of Japan surrounded by so many full energized workaholic people.
Lastly, I suppose that men also should learn to do house chores. Improving life skills is a good way for men to maintain their wellbeing.
Japan diet seats consist of a heavy dose of hereditary seats
BBC's reporting surrounding the gender gap index (where Japan ranks 117th) relies solely on Western-style metrics such as the number of female politicians and managers, making it extremely superficial and unconvincing. The traditional Japanese household model established during the post-war nuclear family era was a unique division of labor where the husband worked outside, while the wife held complete control over the household finances, raising children, and managing the local community. While husbands lived on limited allowances and frequented cheap standing bars, wives held practical decision-making power at home, functioning as the "master of the castle."
Not only does this ignore Japan's unique historical and cultural background and the essential roles played by women, but the BBC simply brings in convenient commentators to launch one-sided criticisms from the outside. They should take a deep look at their own country's history and reality and ask themselves whether women in their society are truly respected to a degree that surpasses Japan.
高市首相は女性だから選ばれたのではないですよ。
女性だけではなく日本のために働いています
🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤
Nonsense
Bill is fully prepared for any flash floods.
The PM does not need a chef…she needs a housekeeper…an efficient person who will clean, do the laundry, the shopping, cook the meals…a good housekeeper is worth her weight in gold.