Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi (center) speaks at a meeting of the Council on Gender Equality held on May 31. (©Sankei by Ataru Haruna)
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government has decided on new guidelines for "Women's Basic Policy 2024." It is specifically designed to promote the participation of women in the workforce and gender equality. The basic policy includes measures to improve working conditions for women at small and medium-sized companies in local areas. It further includes support for women's participation in local activities.
Women's outflow from rural areas is especially severe. Observers also point out that many local government bodies are in danger of disappearing due to Japan's declining births. For these and other reasons, it is important to expand participation by women at the local level. We therefore encourage the government to pursue various policies to bring that about.
Involving Business Organizations
For the women's version of the new basic economic plan, the government worked with the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Federation of Societies of Commerce and Industry. Together, they identified examples of women playing active roles in local areas and smaller enterprises. They are publicizing these examples to educate and raise awareness in society.
To improve the treatment of female employees, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and other related organizations will also provide consulting services to smaller companies.
Nationwide, small and medium enterprises account for more than 90% of all businesses and roughly 70% of jobs. It is, therefore, fitting that one of the key goals in the government plan is promoting the advancement of women in local areas and small and medium-sized businesses.
Requiring companies with more than 100 employees to disclose wage disparities of male and female employees is also under consideration. At present, only companies with more than 300 employees are required to do so. In addition, the government will develop a database on female candidates for executive positions. They will further encourage its active use by local chambers of commerce and other organizations.
Developing Women Entrepreneurs
We must also work to develop women entrepreneurs in local areas. The plan anticipates the creation of a nationwide network and the implementation of programs to connect sponsors with women entrepreneurs.
Also important is a revolution in workplace attitudes. That includes the treatment of women.
Especially in rural areas, the notion that "childcare and housework are the responsibility of women" and other gender-based stereotypes remain entrenched. The government believes that education and publicity will help make such unconscious bias a thing of the past. Hopefully, it will steadily pursue this goal.
Gender-based wage disparity remains wide. The last session of the Diet passed a revised Childcare and Family Care Leave Act. It expands exemptions from overtime work for employees taking care of children, including those of preschool age. However, if women end up disproportionately making use of the system, there will be no hope of rectifying the gap in wages.
Expanding Local Opportunities
Along with the workplace, local communities are another sector in which participation by women needs to be expanded. For example, disaster prevention councils and neighborhood associations tend to be heavily male-dominated. Increasing participation by women and utilizing their perspectives should lead to the creation of more livable communities.
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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
