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A low level of advancement by Japanese women in politics, government and business compared with other countries, is shown in the fiscal 2007 government white paper on gender equality. The situation won't change until political, business and labor leaders get serious about the issue.
Japan ranks 42nd among 75 countries on the gender empowerment index, a measure of women's decision-making authority in political and economic activities. It ranks 79th among 115 countries on the gender equality gap index.
In a comparison with 11 other countries — Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, Britain, the United States, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia, women account for 9.4 percent of Japan's Parliament membership, second from the bottom after the 8.9 percent for Malaysia. The best is Sweden's 47.3 percent.
In Japan, women occupy 10.1 percent of managerial positions in business — not the worst but much lower than America's 42.5 percent — the highest level. Also, in Japan, men contribute to only 12.5 percent of housework and child-rearing hours, far less than 37 percent to 40 percent in the United States, Sweden, Australia and Norway, but more than 12.2 percent in South Korea.
Long working hours are responsible for Japan's ranking. Seven of the other 11 countries have ministries for gender equality. Japan should consider setting concrete numerical targets for gender equality.
The Japan Times Weekly: July 21, 2007
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07年度版男女共同参画白書によれば、日本の政財界での女性の進出は相変わらず遅れている。指導者たちが真剣に取り組まないかぎり、状況は変わらないだろう。
日本は、女性の経済界、政界への進出度指数で75ヵ国中42位、男女格差を測るジェンダーギャップ指数では115ヵ国中79位だった。国会議員中に女性の占める割合は9.4％で12か国中11位だった。
男性が家事育児にかかわる時間を国際比較したところ、日本は12.5％で、欧米諸国の37〜40％と比べ、格段に少なかった。男性の長時間労働が関係しているのだろう。日本は、男女共同参画について具体的数値目標を設定すべきだ。
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