Record High of Women in Managerial Positions in Japan, Yet Far from Government Target

According to a survey conducted by Teikoku Databank Ltd., a research firm, the representation of women in managerial roles within Japanese companies has reached its highest level to date. The overall percentage rose by 0.2 percentage points from the previous year to reach an average of 11.1%, marking the 11th consecutive year of growth. However, this figure remains significantly below the government’s ambitious target of raising the female managerial workforce to approximately 30% during the 2020s.

When examining larger firms specifically, it was found that only 8.3% of managerial positions were held by women. In contrast, smaller companies reported a higher percentage of female managers at 14.3%, likely due to the prevalence of family-owned businesses in that sector. Furthermore, the share of women serving on corporate boards also saw an increase, achieving a record high of 13.8%, although the majority of companies still featured all-male boards.

While 31.8% of businesses expressed optimism regarding an increase in the number of women managers, 42.7% believed that there would be no change in this regard. A chemical company highlighted the challenges that women face in maintaining their careers, citing obstacles such as marriage, childbirth, and partner relocations as significant factors. Additionally, the survey noted an increase in the average rate of men taking paternity leave, which rose to 20%. A Teikoku Databank representative emphasized the need for creating supportive environments that foster a better work-life balance for employees. The survey was conducted online from July 17 to July 31, capturing responses from 10,626 companies nationwide.