Kavan Choksi Explains How Japan Treats Women in the Workplace

According to Kavan Choksi, Japan has traditionally followed a patriarchal system. In most households, the man works as a company salaryman, while the woman stays and takes on the daily chores. It's not unusual for women to give up their jobs after marriage. Historically, it was believed that women should focus on marriage and motherhood, not career advancement.

However, this line of thinking might no longer work in modern Japan. Considering the weakening yen and global economic downfall, households with a sole income earner might struggle to make ends meet.

So what are working conditions like for women in Japan? Do they receive advancement opportunities in the workplace? Should Japanese women take on office jobs as well? Here are several factors to consider:

Salary

Female employees can use tenure and experience as bargaining chips to ask for a salary increase. However, male workers typically receive better pay than women. It generally takes them less time and effort to achieve a higher position or pay grade.

Career Advancement

Companies offer women fewer career advancement opportunities because they're expected to retire after marriage. This is unquestionably an unfair stereotype. However, female workers can fight for higher positions if they emphasize their plans to stay with the company long-term.

Job Openings

Kavan Choksi shares that women often get stuck doing low-grade jobs longer than their male colleagues. Unfortunately, only tenure and skill can combat this stereotype. Female workers would have to go above and beyond to prove themselves to their employers, a hurdle their male counterparts are generally not subjected to.

Stringent Requirements

The barriers to entry are much higher for female office workers. Statistics show that women can only land high-paying corporate jobs if they come from a well-known school, have good grades, and have extensive job experience. Workers probably can't change their alma mater. However, Kavan Choksi emphasizes that female applicants can outperform the male competition by showcasing an outstanding work portfolio.

Japan's Shift Toward a More Progressive Workplace

Although Japan strives to uphold its traditional values, single-income households might not survive today's economic climate. Families would likely live a more comfortable life if both adults worked. And even if the yen bounces back, the Japanese economy would benefit from dual-income households. Remember: higher employment rates stimulate the economy.

For these reasons, Kavan Choksi believes that the Japanese workplace will gradually become more open toward female employees. Companies need more workers now than ever. Perhaps workplace equality will emerge in Japan sooner than we think.