The Culture and Social Development of Japan
Cultural Aspects of Japan
(Brown, 2012)
The website in the red link below provides a great deal of information regarding different cultural points in Japan, ranging from music to food. It is an well written and thorough article that is both quick to read and very informative.
A broad look at Japanese culture
A broad look at Japanese culture
A Short Video on Japanese Culture
The following video provides an interesting look at the rituals and practices that are a part of Japanese culture. The video is relatively short, but is thought-provoking and does a good job of showing the different aspects of the country's culture.
Buddhism in Japan
("The buddhist schools," 2008)
Buddhism, along with Shinto, has had a large impact on Japanese culture ("The japanese and," 2004). Although less prevalent then in previous centuries, Buddhism still has a great impact on everyday Japanese life ("The japanese and," 2004). Temples and monuments of the religion still dot Japans landscape, and Buddhist Rites of Passage are still practiced in some parts of the country ("The japanese and," 2004). The map to the left shows how Theravada and Mahayana, two Buddhist schools, spread throughout Asia around 1500 years ago.
The red link below offers more insight into Buddhism and its role in Japanese culture. The website offers a great deal of information on the religion itself and its impact on Japan, and offers many links and images that should satisfy any curiosity you may have.
Japan and Buddhism
The red link below offers more insight into Buddhism and its role in Japanese culture. The website offers a great deal of information on the religion itself and its impact on Japan, and offers many links and images that should satisfy any curiosity you may have.
Japan and Buddhism
THe Shinto Roots of Japan
(2013)
The following red link provides a wealth of information pertaining to Japan and Shintoism- the religion that is a major part of the country's culture. The article explains in detail everything from the religion's history, to how it is being practiced to this day.
Shintoism in Japan
Shintoism in Japan
a deeper look at the religion of japan
Although there are a wide variety of different belief systems in Japan, Shintoism and Buddhism are two of the most predominant in the nation. As you can see in the first image below, large portions of Japan believe themselves to be influenced in some way by Shintoism and Buddhism. Shintoism, a polytheistic religion, is largely a part of Japanese culture and heritage because of it's historical origin and deep foundation in Japanese culture. Despite not having an exact location of creation, many believe the religion has existed in the land since as far back as 1000 B.C.E during the aboriginal period ("Shintoism,"2002). Even though Shintoism is one of the world's oldest religions, it is not highly popular outside of the country, possibly due to the belief that Japan is the only the divine nation in the world ("What is shintoism,"2002). Additionally, it is unclear as to when the religion became entirely unified as a religion due to its old age (Schumacher, 2011). Amazingly, the religion is still actively followed today and numerous Japanese citizens practice Shintoism in conjunction with the teachings of Buddhism ("Shinto history,"2009). Buddhism originated in India around the early sixth century and eventually spread to Japan, through China and Korea, during the middle of this century ("Buddhism,"2008). Buddhism went on to become the official religion of the state for many centuries, but was not immediately popular with the more common folk of the nation ("Buddhism,"2008). Initially, the ideology of Buddhism clashed with the traditional beliefs of Shintoism, but the Japanese population eventually devised a way for both belief systems to co-exist and compliment each other("Buddhism,"2008).
Although Shintoism has decreased in popularity in recent years, the religion's values have had a strong influence on the cultural practices of Japan. Despite having no written doctrine and lacking the institutionalization of other popular religion, the belief system is still involved in many of the nation's festivals and values (Schumacher, 2011). The country's belief in strong family unity and heritage is largely due the presence of Shintoism("Shinto religion," 2010). In fact, the Bon Festival in Japan is an event that celebrates the returning souls of the deceased to the families that lost them("Religion in Japan,"2013). Prior to the festival, altars and graves are cleaned off in preparation for their return. In addition to Shintoism, Buddhism has had a profound effect on Japanese culture. For example, on New Year's Eve the bells of all the Buddhist temples are rang in anticipation for the coming year("Japan culture," 2013). In addition, although many weddings in Japan follow a Shinto styling, Japanese funerals are typically celebrated in Buddhist fashion ("Japan culture," 2013). Although not quite as prominent as it used to be, Confucianism also played a part in forging Japanese culture. Confucianism helped mold the ethical relations between Japanese individuals in both everyday and political life (Japanese - religion,"). Thanks to Confucianism, as well as some influence of Taoism, Japanese culture celebrates nature, the exchange of ideas, and a closeness between the nation and religion (Japanese - religion,").
One of the most prominent and protruding sacred sites in Japan would have to be that of Mount Fuji, located on Honshu Island. Mount Fuji is specifically unique as it shares religious significance to both Buddhists and Shintoists ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Named after the Buddhists fire goddess Fuchi, Mount Fuji is also sacred to the Shinto goddess Sengen-Sama, whose shrine can be found at the summit of the mountain ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Some Shintoists believe that the mountain is the very embodiment of nature and that Mount Fuji itself has a soul ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Buddhists on the other hand revere the mountain as they believe it is a gateway to another world ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Additionally, the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, which is pictured below, is one of the most popular Shinto temples in the nation. Named after Emperor Meiji of the twentieth century, who played an integral role in opening Japan up to the outside world and ending the Tokugawa government, the shrine was built and dedicated in his and his wife's honor ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). This specific temple is highly significant as it hosts many different religious festivals and events throughout the year ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Finally, the Silver Pavilion Temple in Kyoto is a highly sacred and very popular Buddhist temple in Japan ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Commissioned by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa in the fifteenth century, the Silver Pavilion Temple was intended to be a structure plated entirely in the precious metal of its namesake ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Unfortunately, Yoshimasa's plans fell through and the buildings that were erected were converted into a Buddhist temple upon his request ("Japan sacred sites,"2012).
Shintoism had a great influence on Japanese society and government for a long while as it ran unopposed for many centuries ("Shinto history,"2009). Initially, Shintoism influenced the political system in Japan with the belief that emperors of the nation were descendants of the sun goddess, Amatersau ("Shintoism,"2002). Although Shintoism had a foothold in Japanese politics before the arrival of Buddhism, the lack of complex and intricate doctrine lead Japanese philosophers and intellectuals to draw from other sources and religions ("Shinto history,"2009). It was because of this that Buddhism and other religions like Confucianism had such a large impact on Japanese politics. Arriving in the sixth century, Buddhism was quickly accepted by the rulers of Japan and would eventually go on to become the religion of the state for man centuries ("Japan culture," 2013). Although Buddhism was sweeping the nation, Japanese rulers did not falter on their obligations to the Shinto gods, or kami ("Shinto history,"2009). Due to the Japanese government's unwillingness to cast Shintoism aside, many Japanese individuals grew accustomed to incorporating both Buddhist and Shinto customs into their everyday lives ("Shinto history,"2009) Up until the Meiji Restoration of the ninteenth century, Buddhism held great power in Japan's political climate, even so much so as to completely stamp out the presence of Christianity around the sixteenth century ("Shinto history,"2009) During the Meiji Restoration the Japanese government sought to separate Shintoism from Buddhism entirely and establish the Emperor as the high priest of Shinto ("Shinto history,"2009) Shintoism and Buddhism then existed as separate entities for a while, but the separation did not las t perpetually ("Shinto history,"2009). Although Shintoism was heavily supported by Japan's military and helped unite the people, both it and Buddhism eventually held less prominent roles in Japanese government ("Shinto history,"2009). Folllowing World War II, with the allied reformation of Japanese society, the emperor lost his divine status and Shintoism was disestablished as a major force in Japanese politics ("Shinto history,"2009). Despite their lack of official presence in the nation's government, Shintoism and Buddhism still influence the thoughts and mindset of the Japanese people ("Shinto history,"2009).
Although Shintoism has decreased in popularity in recent years, the religion's values have had a strong influence on the cultural practices of Japan. Despite having no written doctrine and lacking the institutionalization of other popular religion, the belief system is still involved in many of the nation's festivals and values (Schumacher, 2011). The country's belief in strong family unity and heritage is largely due the presence of Shintoism("Shinto religion," 2010). In fact, the Bon Festival in Japan is an event that celebrates the returning souls of the deceased to the families that lost them("Religion in Japan,"2013). Prior to the festival, altars and graves are cleaned off in preparation for their return. In addition to Shintoism, Buddhism has had a profound effect on Japanese culture. For example, on New Year's Eve the bells of all the Buddhist temples are rang in anticipation for the coming year("Japan culture," 2013). In addition, although many weddings in Japan follow a Shinto styling, Japanese funerals are typically celebrated in Buddhist fashion ("Japan culture," 2013). Although not quite as prominent as it used to be, Confucianism also played a part in forging Japanese culture. Confucianism helped mold the ethical relations between Japanese individuals in both everyday and political life (Japanese - religion,"). Thanks to Confucianism, as well as some influence of Taoism, Japanese culture celebrates nature, the exchange of ideas, and a closeness between the nation and religion (Japanese - religion,").
One of the most prominent and protruding sacred sites in Japan would have to be that of Mount Fuji, located on Honshu Island. Mount Fuji is specifically unique as it shares religious significance to both Buddhists and Shintoists ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Named after the Buddhists fire goddess Fuchi, Mount Fuji is also sacred to the Shinto goddess Sengen-Sama, whose shrine can be found at the summit of the mountain ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Some Shintoists believe that the mountain is the very embodiment of nature and that Mount Fuji itself has a soul ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Buddhists on the other hand revere the mountain as they believe it is a gateway to another world ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Additionally, the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, which is pictured below, is one of the most popular Shinto temples in the nation. Named after Emperor Meiji of the twentieth century, who played an integral role in opening Japan up to the outside world and ending the Tokugawa government, the shrine was built and dedicated in his and his wife's honor ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). This specific temple is highly significant as it hosts many different religious festivals and events throughout the year ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Finally, the Silver Pavilion Temple in Kyoto is a highly sacred and very popular Buddhist temple in Japan ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Commissioned by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa in the fifteenth century, the Silver Pavilion Temple was intended to be a structure plated entirely in the precious metal of its namesake ("Japan sacred sites,"2012). Unfortunately, Yoshimasa's plans fell through and the buildings that were erected were converted into a Buddhist temple upon his request ("Japan sacred sites,"2012).
Shintoism had a great influence on Japanese society and government for a long while as it ran unopposed for many centuries ("Shinto history,"2009). Initially, Shintoism influenced the political system in Japan with the belief that emperors of the nation were descendants of the sun goddess, Amatersau ("Shintoism,"2002). Although Shintoism had a foothold in Japanese politics before the arrival of Buddhism, the lack of complex and intricate doctrine lead Japanese philosophers and intellectuals to draw from other sources and religions ("Shinto history,"2009). It was because of this that Buddhism and other religions like Confucianism had such a large impact on Japanese politics. Arriving in the sixth century, Buddhism was quickly accepted by the rulers of Japan and would eventually go on to become the religion of the state for man centuries ("Japan culture," 2013). Although Buddhism was sweeping the nation, Japanese rulers did not falter on their obligations to the Shinto gods, or kami ("Shinto history,"2009). Due to the Japanese government's unwillingness to cast Shintoism aside, many Japanese individuals grew accustomed to incorporating both Buddhist and Shinto customs into their everyday lives ("Shinto history,"2009) Up until the Meiji Restoration of the ninteenth century, Buddhism held great power in Japan's political climate, even so much so as to completely stamp out the presence of Christianity around the sixteenth century ("Shinto history,"2009) During the Meiji Restoration the Japanese government sought to separate Shintoism from Buddhism entirely and establish the Emperor as the high priest of Shinto ("Shinto history,"2009) Shintoism and Buddhism then existed as separate entities for a while, but the separation did not las t perpetually ("Shinto history,"2009). Although Shintoism was heavily supported by Japan's military and helped unite the people, both it and Buddhism eventually held less prominent roles in Japanese government ("Shinto history,"2009). Folllowing World War II, with the allied reformation of Japanese society, the emperor lost his divine status and Shintoism was disestablished as a major force in Japanese politics ("Shinto history,"2009). Despite their lack of official presence in the nation's government, Shintoism and Buddhism still influence the thoughts and mindset of the Japanese people ("Shinto history,"2009).
Japanese Cuisine
Sushi
Sushi is a very popular dish that is served all throughout Asia. Although it is said to have originated in China, sushi is a staple for Japanese cuisine, and is one of the most widely consumed meals in the nation. Linked in the picture below is a recipe on how to prepare Makizushi, which utilizes the traditional ingredient of dried seaweed.
Sake
In addition to sushi, rice wine, more commonly known as sake, is another staple in the Japanese dining experience. Produced using fermented rice, this beverage is highly popular and is consumed both hot and cold.
Rice: A culinary staple
One of the most important crops involved in the Japanese diet is rice. Utilized in almost every Japanese meal, the cultivation and consumption of rice is an integral component to Japan's culture ("Rice," 2012). With various kinds of rice, ranging from brown to multigrain, this crop is prepared in a variety of different ways. In addition to the sake mentioned above, rice is also made into cakes, crackers, and bread ("Rice," 2012). Additionally, it is typically considered polite to finish every grain of rice that is served to you ("Rice," 2012). Not only this, but it is deemed inappropriate to leave chopsticks standing vertically in a bowl of rice, as this is done primarily at funerals ("Rice," 2012).
Religion and Japanese Food
Religion has been intertwined into the Japanese culinary experience for many centuries. With the introduction of Buddhism during the sixth century, the consumption of meat and fish in accordance with Buddhist practices (Yamasa 2013). This behavior eventually influenced Shinto followers as well- even going as far to say that various species of flying fowl were considered to be religious messengers (Yamasa, 2013). Up until around the mid-nineteenth century, many Japanese individuals did not partake in the eating of meat (Yamasa, 2013). It was not until trade with the Western world was revived that the Japanese population begin consuming meat again- a behavior that had not been enacted in over a thousand years (Yamasa, 2013). The link below offers more information on how religion influenced the Japanese dining experience.
Eating etiquette
Japan greatly differs from Western culture in how it goes about consuming food. For example, many restaurants and homes have tables that are low to the ground, with individuals sitting on small cushions instead of traditional chairs("Japanese table manners," 2008). When serving alcoholic drinks, it is generally polite to serve others before yourself ("Japanese table manners," 2008). Furthermore, it is respectful to refill others drinking glasses if they are empty("Japanese table manners," 2008). In addition, silverware is typically absent on Japanese tables. Instead, individuals use chopsticks to transfer food from their plate to their mouth ("Japanese table manners," 2008) Also, many of the behaviors that are appropriate in the West are considered disrespectful in Japan. For instance, it is generally expected that one puts every utensil and plate used in the meal in the same position it was found- e.g. the chopsticks are replaced in the chopstick holder ("Japanese table manners," 2008) Despite the cultural differences, Japan does share some dining practices with Western countries For example, contrary to the beliefs of many other Asian countries, it is still considered rude to burp out loud in Japan ("Japanese table manners," 2008).
Various Cultural Statistics
Below are some statistics pertaining to Japan's economy, religion, and more. These statistics were retrieved from the CIA fact book.
Category | Statistic |
People and Society | The CIA fact book states 83.9% of the population practices Shintoism, 71.4% practices Buddhism (possibly in conjunction with Buddhism, 2% practices Christianity, 7.8% practice other religions. |
Economy | According to the CIA fact book, 16% of the Japanese population lived in poverty in 2012. |
Transportation | According to the CIA, Japan has a total of 175 Airports. |
Communications | The CIA states that 99.182 million Japanese citizens utilize the internet. |
Transportation | The fact book also says that the country maintains a total of 27,182 kilometers of railway track. |
Energy | The fact book says that in 2011, Japan consumed 859.7 billion kWh of electricity. |
A look at japan's changing cultural climate
Work
As the image below shows, the Japanese workforce has followed an interesting trend over the last thirty years or so. During the year of 1980, a significant portion of laborers were working over forty hours a week, yet were being paid only a little over five US dollars for their service. Since, it appears that average amount of hours worked a week has declined, while compensation for an individual's labor has increased significantly. Although there were a few fluctuations in the data, it appears now that the population is being compensated more at a few hours less a week, and are no longer in a position where they are working full-time for poor wages. Although this data is an average for the entire population, it is worth noting that, as of 2006, the Japanese workforce appears to be earning more money for their service.
Education
This next chart displays the stable rise in the average years men and women over the age of twenty five spent in school. As you can see, since 1970, men and women have been spending more years of their lives in school and focusing on earning an education. Whereas in 1970, a large portion of the population spend over ten years in school, as of 2009, a large portion of the population has gone on to complete high school and attended college. It is important to keep in mind that this chart displays the average for this specific age group, and that there are exceptions. There are, without a doubt, Japanese students who have earned degrees in the last forty years, but this chart merely shows the average of the age group at any given time.
Age
As I mentioned on the Population and Settlement page, the Japanese population has grown increasingly older within the past decade, and the country's people have a longer life expectancy rate. The chart below supports my research on the previous pages, and it is apparent that Japan is no longer the country it used to be in regards to age. What is most astonishing about this graph is the significant increase in both the average age and long lifespan of the country's population. Around 1950, most of the population was relatively young and only lived to be around sixty-seventy years old. As of 2011, there has been a significant change in the life expectancy of the population and the average age. As of now, Japan's population is relatively middle-aged and is approaching an eighty-five year lifespan.
The Plight of the japanese female
For many centuries women have faced oppression and maltreatment in Japan. Rooted in tradition and further established in a male dominant society, the female population of this Asian nation has faced great difficulty when it comes to equality in all aspects of life. Despite the efforts of modern movements like feminism, women in Japan are still considered inferior and unequal to their male counterparts. Whether it is in the workforce, at home, or in the country’s customs, inequality for the female population spans virtually every aspect of Japanese culture. Even though there has been some advancement for women in the country over the last few decades, it is evident that Japan still has a long way to go in regards to gender impartiality.
Japan’s occupational climate is interesting and somewhat unique in regards to how it perceives women. Despite twenty-seven million women making up almost half of the working force, in 2005, women only held ten percent of managerial jobs (Fackler, 2007). In stark contrast, women in the United States held forty-two percent of managerial positions around the same time (Fackler, 2007). These figures illustrate that despite making up a significant portion of the labor force, women are still subjected to male authority. In fact, the latest Global Gender Report, an article that analyzes everything from availability of resources to occupational opportunities, ranked Japan at 101 out of 135 countries in regards to gender equality (Hausman, 2012). This report shows that Japan exists as one of the worst countries for women in the fight for egalitarianism. To build off this point, it was not until 1985 that Japan passed its first equal working opportunity law (Fackler, 2007). Even though women were legally able to obtain the same positions as men, views on labor equality haven’t entirely changed since then. In fact, seventy percent of women cede having an occupation to their husbands with the birth of their first child (Oi, 2012). This illustrates that no matter how sizeable the female labor population may be, men still remain dominant in the Japanese work force. On the job, or at home, it appears that females face many obstacles in Japanese society.
In Japanese culture, men are often viewed as the breadwinners, while the women are tasked with looking after the family. A study conducted in 2012 found that a majority of the Japanese population believed that women should stay at home while the men work (“51%,” 2012). This male household dominance is further established in that many married women still call their husbands shujin, which means master (“Women in japan,” 2013). These examples illustrate how men are considered the strong and capable leaders of the family, while females assume the lesser jobs that include cooking and cleaning. This archaic mindset appears to have had some effect on marriage in Japan as more couples are getting married later in life or not at all. The average age of marriage in Japan is now thirty-one, while eighteen percent of women from the ages of thirty-five to thirty-nine admit they have never been married (Diamond, 2012). Furthermore, at just under six marriages a year per one-thousand people, Japan’s marriage rate is low in comparison to other nations like the United States, which hovers at around ten marriages per year per one-thousand people (Diamond, 2012). This appears to show that women are no longer satisfied with merely being stay at home moms and would much rather live independent lives. In fact, a recent poll conducted found that eighty-six percent of married women wished to return to the workforce after having a child (“86% of married,” 2012). It appears that women are no longer choosing to stand idly by for their husbands, but instead are insisting on breaking age-old traditions in the name of equality.
Like almost every aspect of Japanese culture, males are greatly preferred over females. As figure 1 shows, Japan is a country that heavily favors the male gender. As a result, there are many cultural expectations that women are supposed to follow in Japanese society. For instance, many Japanese women cover their mouths when they laugh because a woman who laughs too openly is believed to be uncivilized (“Women in japan,” 2013). Additionally, because of Shinto beliefs, Japanese women are still not allowed to enter sumo-wrestling rings (Bester). Furthermore, Japanese women are almost entirely excluded from politics. Japan ranked last in 2005 for the proportion of women civil servants, and eleventh out of twelve in 2006 for the proportion of women representatives in regards to all national embassy members (“Women in japan,” 2013). Finally, in 1990, just two percent of the Japanese Parliament was female (“Women in japan,” 2013). Despite all of these setbacks, women have been making some strides towards independence. More women are rebelling against Japanese burial tradition, where females are buried with their husband’s family, and are instead deciding where their eternal resting place will be (Gilonna, 2011). In addition, since 1980, the number of women who remain single until their thirties has doubled (“Women in japan,” 2013). Slowly but surely, women have been making progress to alter the oppressive traditions that many in Japan still hold.
Women face oppression in Japan on a regular basis. Although there has been some progress made in the fight for equality, the country still exists as one of the most unequal nations in the world. No matter the circumstance, whether that’s on the job, serving at home, or in tradition, Japanese women deal with male preference in virtually every aspect of life. Despite this seemingly uphill battle for equality, Japanese women have been persistently endeavoring to live independent lives. Although there is still a long way to go before the country is truly equal, it is evident that the women of Japan are unwilling to back down from the challenge.
Japan’s occupational climate is interesting and somewhat unique in regards to how it perceives women. Despite twenty-seven million women making up almost half of the working force, in 2005, women only held ten percent of managerial jobs (Fackler, 2007). In stark contrast, women in the United States held forty-two percent of managerial positions around the same time (Fackler, 2007). These figures illustrate that despite making up a significant portion of the labor force, women are still subjected to male authority. In fact, the latest Global Gender Report, an article that analyzes everything from availability of resources to occupational opportunities, ranked Japan at 101 out of 135 countries in regards to gender equality (Hausman, 2012). This report shows that Japan exists as one of the worst countries for women in the fight for egalitarianism. To build off this point, it was not until 1985 that Japan passed its first equal working opportunity law (Fackler, 2007). Even though women were legally able to obtain the same positions as men, views on labor equality haven’t entirely changed since then. In fact, seventy percent of women cede having an occupation to their husbands with the birth of their first child (Oi, 2012). This illustrates that no matter how sizeable the female labor population may be, men still remain dominant in the Japanese work force. On the job, or at home, it appears that females face many obstacles in Japanese society.
In Japanese culture, men are often viewed as the breadwinners, while the women are tasked with looking after the family. A study conducted in 2012 found that a majority of the Japanese population believed that women should stay at home while the men work (“51%,” 2012). This male household dominance is further established in that many married women still call their husbands shujin, which means master (“Women in japan,” 2013). These examples illustrate how men are considered the strong and capable leaders of the family, while females assume the lesser jobs that include cooking and cleaning. This archaic mindset appears to have had some effect on marriage in Japan as more couples are getting married later in life or not at all. The average age of marriage in Japan is now thirty-one, while eighteen percent of women from the ages of thirty-five to thirty-nine admit they have never been married (Diamond, 2012). Furthermore, at just under six marriages a year per one-thousand people, Japan’s marriage rate is low in comparison to other nations like the United States, which hovers at around ten marriages per year per one-thousand people (Diamond, 2012). This appears to show that women are no longer satisfied with merely being stay at home moms and would much rather live independent lives. In fact, a recent poll conducted found that eighty-six percent of married women wished to return to the workforce after having a child (“86% of married,” 2012). It appears that women are no longer choosing to stand idly by for their husbands, but instead are insisting on breaking age-old traditions in the name of equality.
Like almost every aspect of Japanese culture, males are greatly preferred over females. As figure 1 shows, Japan is a country that heavily favors the male gender. As a result, there are many cultural expectations that women are supposed to follow in Japanese society. For instance, many Japanese women cover their mouths when they laugh because a woman who laughs too openly is believed to be uncivilized (“Women in japan,” 2013). Additionally, because of Shinto beliefs, Japanese women are still not allowed to enter sumo-wrestling rings (Bester). Furthermore, Japanese women are almost entirely excluded from politics. Japan ranked last in 2005 for the proportion of women civil servants, and eleventh out of twelve in 2006 for the proportion of women representatives in regards to all national embassy members (“Women in japan,” 2013). Finally, in 1990, just two percent of the Japanese Parliament was female (“Women in japan,” 2013). Despite all of these setbacks, women have been making some strides towards independence. More women are rebelling against Japanese burial tradition, where females are buried with their husband’s family, and are instead deciding where their eternal resting place will be (Gilonna, 2011). In addition, since 1980, the number of women who remain single until their thirties has doubled (“Women in japan,” 2013). Slowly but surely, women have been making progress to alter the oppressive traditions that many in Japan still hold.
Women face oppression in Japan on a regular basis. Although there has been some progress made in the fight for equality, the country still exists as one of the most unequal nations in the world. No matter the circumstance, whether that’s on the job, serving at home, or in tradition, Japanese women deal with male preference in virtually every aspect of life. Despite this seemingly uphill battle for equality, Japanese women have been persistently endeavoring to live independent lives. Although there is still a long way to go before the country is truly equal, it is evident that the women of Japan are unwilling to back down from the challenge.
Figure 1. The extremely high preference for the male gender in Japan.
Bester, T. (n.d.). Japan. Retrieved from http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Japan.html
Diamond, J. (2012, April 25). Three reasons japan’s economic pain is getting worse. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-25/three-reasons-japan-s-economic-pain-is-getting-
Fackler, M. (2007, August 6). Career women in japan find a blocked path. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/06/world/asia/06equal.html?_r=1&
Gilonna, J. (2011). Wives' final revolt in japan. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2011/mar/07/world/la-fg-japan-women-burials-20110307
Hausman, R. (2012). The global gender gap report. Retrieved from http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GenderGap_Report_2012.pdf
Oi, M. (2012, October 24). Japan's women: Can they save the countr'ys economy?. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20053254
Women in japan. (2013). Retrieved from http://factsanddetails.com/japan.php?itemid=627&catid=18
51% think wives should stay home. (2012, December 17). Retrieved from http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T121216003307.htm
86% of married women with children want to work. (2012, May 27). Retrieved from http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2012/05/27/national/poll-86-of-married-women-with-children-want-to-work/
Bester, T. (n.d.). Japan. Retrieved from http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Japan.html
Diamond, J. (2012, April 25). Three reasons japan’s economic pain is getting worse. Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-25/three-reasons-japan-s-economic-pain-is-getting-
Fackler, M. (2007, August 6). Career women in japan find a blocked path. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/06/world/asia/06equal.html?_r=1&
Gilonna, J. (2011). Wives' final revolt in japan. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2011/mar/07/world/la-fg-japan-women-burials-20110307
Hausman, R. (2012). The global gender gap report. Retrieved from http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GenderGap_Report_2012.pdf
Oi, M. (2012, October 24). Japan's women: Can they save the countr'ys economy?. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20053254
Women in japan. (2013). Retrieved from http://factsanddetails.com/japan.php?itemid=627&catid=18
51% think wives should stay home. (2012, December 17). Retrieved from http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T121216003307.htm
86% of married women with children want to work. (2012, May 27). Retrieved from http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2012/05/27/national/poll-86-of-married-women-with-children-want-to-work/
Heading Photo Source: Mills, J. (Photographer). (n.d.). Great buddha kamakura. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.gojapango.com/travel/images/great_buddha_kamakura.jpg