Selected Issues Papers

Why Such Few Women in Leadership Positions in Japan?: Japan

Author/Editor:

Kohei Asao ; Purva Khera ; Mahima Vasishth

Publication Date:

July 1, 2024

Electronic Access:

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Summary:

The share of women in managerial and leadership roles in Japan – in both the public and private sector – are among the lowest across the globe. This paper empirically examines what drives these large gender gaps in leadership in Japan, using the SVAR model. Results suggest — (i) cultural norms where women take up significantly more burden of household and childcare work; (ii) Japan’s unique employment practices (non-regular employment, long in-person working hours); and (iii) the availability of childcare facilities — are the key drivers. Further progress on workstyle reforms, more flexible labor markets, improving the quality of childcare facilities, and raising paternity leave usage will help close these gaps.

Series:

Selected Issues Paper No. 2024/024

Subject:

Econometric analysis Education Employment Gender Gender diversity Gender inequality Labor Labor markets Non-wage benefits Structural vector autoregression Wage gap Wages Women

Frequency:

Regular