Does being a woman hold back your career in Japan and why?

Answer 1

Not really, as Japan work system is changing and accepting more women in business and politics...they also made good contribution to their country and many mothers and single parents are working now but the fact that some single career women are beginning to concentrate more on their jobs than focusing on having family and raising children...
As for being a foreigner, being a multilingual and challenging are one of the qualities that they look for hiring.
Doi Takako (1928- )

One of the most prominent women in 20th century Japanese politics, Doi Takako took on the prevalent sexist thinking of the day in 1969 to enter the Diet as a member of the Japan Socialist Party (known as the Social Democratic Party of Japan, or SDP, from 1991). During her time as leader, she transformed the party and made it into a relevant political force, though since the turn of the century it has greatly declined and is now a minor party.
Makiko Tanaka is a Diet member in the House of Representatives.In 1991 she became the president of a transportation company and she joined the Social Democratic Party of Japan (SDPJ). And she was placed in change of matter concerning transportation. Gradually her position as a women grew large in the public and she attracted national attention.

Answer 2

Not really; gender discrimination laws are very strict nowadays.

The thing is, women often hold *themselves* back from careers in Japan. For one, if they have kids, they usually decide to become full-time mothers rather than continue to work. There's also an almost bizarre lack of self-esteem in many women: they will often refuse a promotion or a good lateral job movement because they don't want to look bad in the eyes of their friends and co-workers.

A lot of these factors are in upbringing--many women today were not really pressed to succeed career-wise, at least not to the same extent as men. So many go to two-year "women's colleges" which only qualify them for clerical jobs; then it's up to them to land a husband with a fat wallet.

But there are many exceptions: you'll find many, many women who have been very successful in various careers in Japan, and the numbers are rising.

Answer 3

Yea Japanese culture has very strong elements of male chauvinism and female degradation. The women are naturally expected to give up their careers and look after kids at home and women who are not married are despised and ridiculed. If u watched Japanese dramas, the submissive women are always keeping the slippers of their husbands, keeping quite while they are bullied by the man.

Although things are getting better, the traditional norms of Japan are still very strong in shaping its culture.

Answer 4

I think being a foriegner female in Japan would be hard but do-able. You career will not be held back but I do think your love life will suffer. I don't see too many foriegn women with Japanese guys.

Answer 5

I live in Japan. I have seen both succesful men and women. My sis inlaw makes more than my bro inlaw. That help. Oh yes women do bow their heads. But so do men. It is a respectful thing. It's how they "shake hands" per say.

Answer 6

No. Equal opportunities exits for both sex in modern day Japan.. It depends on individual performance and talent. For example, Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were.

Answer 7

Women are treated as submissives there with bowed heads therefore yes.