Essay about Gender Inequality in Japan

Hi,

We are two students from the Netherlands. We are in the last year of our study and we have to write an essay. Our essay is about the position of women in Asia. For this essay we want to ask japanese people about women in the japanese society. If could answer the questions below, you clould really help us out. Could you please write your name(anonymous is also an option), age and conection with Japan.


Thank you in advance!!☝

Mieke Appel and Isa van der Plant




1. Are there society classes?

2. What does a normal day entail for the average Japanese women?

3. Is the average woman dependent of her husband?
3.2 Is family honour important?
3.3 Do you have arranged marriages?

4. What does society expect from women, if you look at: family planning, marriage, children, a job or education?
4.1 What is the average age for girls to get married?

5. Do women carry high of influence within the domestic environment?
5.1 Is there a difference in the level of emancipation in the city vs. the countryside?
5.2 What are the affairs considering inheritance? (Does the man inherit everything or the eldest member?)

6. Who plays the bigger role in society?

7. Are there equal career opportunities for women and men?
7.1 Do women carry any influence inside any of the political parties?


8. Is there any levels of corruption in Japan, if there is: are women disadvantaged by this?
8.1 Do women think about their political ideals, and do they come forward for them?
8.2 Are there more demonstrations than before?

9. Is corruption tolerated, or is it considered as something bad?
9.1 Are a lot of women involved in politics?

10Have there been changes in the position of women throughout the years?

Just some information is also really helpfull!

I hope you're doing a lot of additional research, and this is just a subjective survey to get a feeling for how Japanese people feel about gender roles in their society. I'm not Japanese nor a woman, but I would recommend revising your questions to be more specific and easily answered.

1. Are there society classes?
Think about the purpose of this question and how it's worded. Do you mean socio-economic classes?

2. What does a normal day entail for the average Japanese women?
what do people know about "average?" Why not ask "what's the average day like for YOU/your mother/wife/daughter?" Ask people a question they can actually answer.

3. Is the average woman dependent of her husband?
Again, you're asking an individual for a generalization; you're guaranteed to get misleading answers. Why not ask "What is your family structure like? Are you the breadwinner of your household? If you are married, how do you share financial responsibility with your spouse?"
3.2 Is family honour important?
This is super subjective and non-specific; the answers you get will tell you nothing. Use an anecdotal question instead: "If XX happened, what would you do?"
3.3 Do you have arranged marriages?
I'm not sure why you grouped these questions together. Arranged meetings still happened (called omiai), you can learn more about this with an easy google search. Remember, you're asking a survey; you need to ask questions that show you've actually done some research beforehand. You're asking individuals for personal responses, you can get general knowledge and statistics through your own research. Why not ask "do you have any friends or family who met their spouse at an arranged meeting/omiai?"

4. What does society expect from women, if you look at: family planning, marriage, children, a job or education?
"Do you feel society has expectations for you regarding blah blah blah? what are they?"

4.1 What is the average age for girls to get married?
Have you looked into the census? Statistics Bureau Home Page
remember, you're asking INDIVIDUALS, ask PERSONAL questions. like "If you aren't married, do you feel pressure to get married and start a family? At what ages do you feel the most pressure to start a family?"
5. Do women carry high of influence within the domestic environment?
this is a good question but needs to be reworded to make it more personal, and be more specific about what KIND of influence. As a generality of "traditional" families, the husband makes the money and the wife handles it; is that what you're talking about? Or are you asking about raising/disciplining children, which would probably warrant a different answer altogether.
5.1 Is there a difference in the level of emancipation in the city vs. the countryside?
emancipation? you mean teenagers petitioning for legal independence from their parents? Why are you asking this here?
5.2 What are the affairs considering inheritance? (Does the man inherit everything or the eldest member?)

6. Who plays the bigger role in society?
what are the options? I think doraemon plays a bigger role than hello kitty.

7. Are there equal career opportunities for women and men?
Better, but still too general. Ask about what experiences they might have had to show that there is/isn't equality in the workplace
7.1 Do women carry any influence inside any of the political parties?
Ask about women in politics and what roles they play. Ask about the most visible women in politics

8. Is there any levels of corruption in Japan, if there is: are women disadvantaged by this?
How does (political?) corruption affect women in Japan? Does it affect women differently from men?
8.1 Do women think about their political ideals, and do they come forward for them?
8.2 Are there more demonstrations than before?
demonstrations about WHAT?

9. Is corruption tolerated, or is it considered as something bad?
9.1 Are a lot of women involved in politics?
why isn't question 8 grouped with these? and isn't 7.1 the same as 9.1?
10Have there been changes in the position of women throughout the years?
"What changes have you noticed in your lifetime in the role of women in Japan?" or something like that.

Remember, you're asking individuals for a subjective response; don't ask for generalizations that google can provide, ask them about their own experiences and how they feel about the way women are treated. Think about what you're asking and why. Useful answer grow from well-designed questions.

I agree. Those questions are not very well written and should be piloted first. Moreover, not a lot of Japanese come to this site, and you wouldn't even be assured that people who answer really are Japanese! Anonymous responses on a bilingual web site could be from anyone trying to screw around with your data.

By the way, if you have to ask a yes/no question, think first. Would it be better to say "how"? For example, is family honor important? Rewrite as "How important is family honor important?" (Even that is a strange question that needs more details, as nice gaijin pointed out. Or as why it is important? You're asking about honor without explaining its context.

Try using Survey Monkey to make your survey and to be able to download the answers without coming to a discussion group and looking in.

And, as if it weren't already obvious, write the questions in Japanese. Not a lot of Japanese people would be able to understand the questions in English, let alone be able to provide you with coherent answers in English. I realize this will make it harder for you, but if you want good data...

1. Are there society classes?
No but there are different level in the middle class.

2. What does a normal day entail for the average Japanese women?
There are working women and not working women (housewives) and some who combine both. Which category you are interested in?

3. Is the average woman dependent of her husband?
In Japan usually the woman has full control of the family finances. The husband only receives small weekly allowance. It is rather the husband who is dependent.

3.2 Is family honour important?
Yes
3.3 Do you have arranged marriages?
Most probably some but not too many.

4. What does society expect from women, if you look at: family planning, marriage, children, a job or education?
The same as in Norway, Sweden etc.

4.1 What is the average age for girls to get married?
20 something or above 30.

5. Do women carry high of influence within the domestic environment?
Yes.

5.1 Is there a difference in the level of emancipation in the city vs. the countryside?
I doubt.

5.2 What are the affairs considering inheritance? (Does the man inherit everything or the eldest member?)

6. Who plays the bigger role in society?
Women.

7. Are there equal career opportunities for women and men?
Depends on the company/organization. In the big one rather yes.

7.1 Do women carry any influence inside any of the political parties?
Yes.

8. Is there any levels of corruption in Japan, if there is: are women disadvantaged by this?
Yes. No.

8.1 Do women think about their political ideals, and do they come forward for them?


8.2 Are there more demonstrations than before?
Before what? First world war, second world war?



9. Is corruption tolerated, or is it considered as something bad?
To certain extend. Of course it is considered to be bad.

9.1 Are a lot of women involved in politics?

10Have there been changes in the position of women throughout the years?

すべての女性が活躍できる社会をつくる」。安倍晋三首相が今年１月の施政方針演説で訴え、成長戦略の中核に据えた女性活用。
ＳＴＡＰ細胞（刺激惹起性多能性獲得細胞）開発の主導で脚光を浴びる理化学研究所の小保方晴子さんなど、
女性の社会進出は今や当たり前で、存分に能力を発揮したい女性たちは好機を迎えた。
２月初めに開かれた関西財界セミナー（関西経済連合会、関西経済同友会主催）でもこのテーマが初めて議論されたが、
参加した経営幹部からは意外な声も聞こえてきた。

半世紀余の歴史を持つ財界セミナー。初めて設けられた女性活用の促進を考える分科会は、"意外"な女性の意見から始まった。
「最大の問題は男性。男性上司が優しいと、急な出張や転勤などを免除しようとしてしまうが、女性の成長の機会を奪っている」
（２１世紀職業財団・高松和子理事）。女性の残業や深夜労働禁止は、男女平等に反すると声をあげていた（夢工房・田中裕子社長）－。

女性の仕事と家庭との両立を妨げる主要因とされる転勤や出張、残業。企業は配慮が求められると思いきや、
正反対の意見が女性から飛び出したことで、会場は一瞬静まりかえった。分科会の参加者２９人のうち、
半数近い１２人が女性。だが、議論はすぐに現実的な意見に引き戻された。

「出産でなく、結婚を契機に退職するケースが意外に多い。結婚相手や自身の転勤で『遠距離』になることへの懸念が強いようだ。
管理職登用を想定する女性は転勤を前提としているが、免除すべきかどうか迷っている」（ＮＴＴ西日本・小椋敏勝副社長）。
「女性の成長の機会を奪う」と女性側から指摘された転勤免除。だが現場では今も、扱いに悩む課題として残っているようだ。
出産を機に退職する女性が６割という状況が２０年以上続く日本。出産でなく、結婚を契機に退職するケースも多いことに改めて驚く関係者も、実は多かった。

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【社会】女性はあまり昇進を望んでいない？ すれ違う「女性活用」の現実 / i-ikioi

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Google 翻訳

すれ違う「女性活用」の現実 昇進主義に限界、経営幹部からは意外な声も
産経新聞2014年3月3日（月）09:07
すれ違う「女性活用」の現実 昇進主義に限界、経営幹部からは意外な声も
(産経新聞)
「すべての女性が活躍できる社会をつくる」。安倍晋三首相が今年１月の施政方針演説で訴え、成長戦略の中核に据えた女性活用。ＳＴＡＰ細胞（刺激惹起性多能性獲得細胞）開発の主導で脚光を浴びる理化学研究所の小保方晴子さんなど、女性の社会進出は今や当たり前で、存分に能力を発揮したい女性たちは好機を迎えた。２月初めに開かれた関西財界セミナー（関西経済連合会、関西経済同友会主催）でもこのテーマが初めて議論されたが、参加した経営幹部からは意外な声も聞こえてきた。

半世紀余の歴史を持つ財界セミナー。初めて設けられた女性活用の促進を考える分科会は、"意外"な女性の意見から始まった。「最大の問題は男性。男性上司が優しいと、急な出張や転勤などを免除しようとしてしまうが、女性の成長の機会を奪っている」（２１世紀職業財団・高松和子理事）。「女性の残業や深夜労働禁止は、男女平等に反すると声をあげていた」（夢工房・田中裕子社長）－。

女性の仕事と家庭との両立を妨げる主要因とされる転勤や出張、残業。企業は配慮が求められると思いきや、正反対の意見が女性から飛び出したことで、会場は一瞬静まりかえった。分科会の参加者２９人のうち、半数近い１２人が女性。だが、議論はすぐに現実的な意見に引き戻された。

「出産でなく、結婚を契機に退職するケースが意外に多い。結婚相手や自身の転勤で『遠距離』になることへの懸念が強いようだ。管理職登用を想定する女性は転勤を前提としているが、免除すべきかどうか迷っている」（ＮＴＴ西日本・小椋敏勝副社長）。「女性の成長の機会を奪う」と女性側から指摘された転勤免除。だが現場では今も、扱いに悩む課題として残っているようだ。出産を機に退職する女性が６割という状況が２０年以上続く日本。出産でなく、結婚を契機に退職するケースも多いことに改めて驚く関係者も、実は多かった。

他にも、意外な報告が続く。男女雇用機会均等法の施行から約３０年。「総合職」の女性が増えている現代、キャリア志向は強まっているはず…と思いがちだが、「入社時は管理職を目指したいという男女の比率は同じだが、時間がたつと女性は管理職への望みが薄くなる」（ＮＴＴ西の小椋副社長）との指摘もあった。

同様の意見は、他の分科会参加者からも出された。「大学卒業時は優秀でも、入社すると遠慮しがちになって目立たなくなる」（大林組・大林剛郎会長）、「男性は勝手にはいあがってくるが、女性は控えめなところがある」（パナソニック・野村剛常務）－など。男性中心の「タテ社会」の組織の中で働くうち、女性自身の考えや志向にも、変化が生まれているのかもしれない。

実際、女性はそれほど昇進を望んでいないという調査結果もある。日本マンパワーの「女性のキャリア意識調査」によると、「できることなら昇進したい」かに対し、「あまりそう思わない」と「思わない」の合計は男性は１３％だが、女性は２９．６％。同様に「できることならリーダー・管理職になりたい」で「あまりそう思わない」と「思わない」の合計は、男性が２０％に対し、女性は４９．３％と半分近くに上った。

現在、日本企業の管理職に占める女性の割合は１０％程度。政府は平成３２年までに欧米並みの３０％にする目標を掲げるが、現実の女性側の意向とは微妙にすれ違っている。

「女性活用」の具体策として、管理職３割との数値目標を掲げる日本政府。だが、この発想自体を疑問視する声もある。インターアクト・ジャパンの帯野久美子社長は、「価値観の転換が必要。多くの女性は、タテ社会の階段を上りたいとは思っていない」と指摘する。「（昇進中心主義の）価値観で染めようとしていることが間違い。多様な価値観を生かす仕組みをつくることが、グローバル社会に必要では」と強調する。

アートコーポレーションの寺田千代乃社長も、「昇進を目指したい人、そうでない人といろいろなタイプがあるので、尊重することが大切。みんながキャリアアップしなくていい」と「一律的」な対応に疑問を呈する。男性と同様、「人それぞれ」というところだろうか。

厚生労働省は、女性の活用が進まなければ平成４２年に就業者数が最大８２０万人減少、成長戦略が不発になるとの推計をまとめている。少子高齢化が進むなか、女性の活用がない限り、日本の持続的な経済成長は不可能だ。

リクルートワークス研究所の石原直子主任研究員は、「男性でも転勤の難しい人はいる。『女性が難色を示したから昇格は難しい』というのは後付けの理由」と指摘。「男性上司は、部下の女性が結婚、出産をどう考えるか、昇格をどう考えるかを遠慮せずに聞き、コミュニケーションを取るべき。お互いの意向を知らないままでいるのが一番よくない」と話している。（内山智彦）

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すれ違う「女性活用」の現実 昇進主義に限界、経営幹部からは意外な声も(産経新聞) - goo ニュース
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