The future empress of Japan, Masako Owada, entered the elite diplomatic corps in 1987 as one of only three female recruits after a major equal employment law was passed the year before. However, she gave up her rising career as a trade negotiator to marry Crown Prince Naruhito. Three decades later, nearly half of each entering class of diplomats are women, signaling a significant change in workplace cultures and creating a pipeline for female leadership. The Foreign Ministry, led by a woman, Yoko Kamikawa, surpasses other government agencies and corporate names like Mitsubishi and Panasonic in placing women in professional roles, showing progress in gender diversity.
While Japan has made advancements in promoting women in the workplace to boost its economy, many working women still struggle to balance their careers with domestic responsibilities. The Foreign Ministry, with a growing number of women in its ranks, has seen changes in working practices such as more flexible hours and remote work options. However, the demanding nature of diplomatic jobs means long working hours that disproportionately affect women who often have to juggle household responsibilities alongside their careers, limiting their ability to advance.
Despite progress, women in the Foreign Ministry, like those in other industries, face challenges. The culture of staying late at work, with staff often working until 9 or 10 p.m., places additional burdens on women, who still carry the majority of household and childcare duties. Men are encouraged to take paternity leave, but it is often for only a short period. Japanese women are also burdened with more than three-quarters of household chores, contributing to the challenges they face in balancing work and family life.
Japan is experiencing severe labor shortages and is increasingly turning to women to fill these gaps. However, women continue to be underrepresented in full-time, permanent positions, and the number of women in managerial roles remains low. Some executives believe that women choose to prioritize family responsibilities over their careers, leading to a lack of ambition in pursuing leadership roles. Employers play a crucial role in supporting women in balancing professional success and motherhood to avoid negative impacts on the economy due to a declining birthrate.
Some Japanese companies are taking steps to support working mothers, such as offering courses for prospective fathers to learn caregiving skills. Still, barriers remain, with many women feeling unsupported in their workplaces. Overwork culture, exemplified by mandatory after-work drinking parties, adds additional stress on women, making it challenging to balance professional and personal commitments. Some women set limits on their work hours, sacrificing promotions to prioritize their well-being and family life.
The struggles and successes of women in the workplace in Japan, including in the Foreign Ministry, highlight the ongoing challenges faced by women in balancing their careers and family responsibilities. As more women enter professional fields, there is a need for employers to create supportive environments that allow women to thrive professionally while also meeting their personal obligations. The shift towards a more equitable and inclusive workplace culture is crucial for the advancement of women in leadership roles and the overall socio-economic progress of the country.
