Just 13 Women CEOs Across 1,600 Companies Reflect Japan's Striking Gender Gap

Japan is known for its intensive yet often fascinating work culture blending traditional practices with modernity. However, some aspects like gender roles and hierarchical structures tend to define the workplace environment, posing distinct obstacles for women in the labour force. A recent survey by the news agency Kyodo revealed that women lead a mere 0.8% of the 1,643 companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's top-tier prime market, according to the 2023 fiscal statements.

Japan's Gender Gap In Workplace Leadership

Only 13 Chief Executive Officers in Tokyo Stock Exchange companies are women, the Kyodo report showed. The survey said that this striking data demonstrates the island country's slow progress in “increasing diversity among its corporate decision-makers”. 

For long, Japan has been labouring for the upliftment of women in workplace leadership roles. The government has set the target of women helming at least 30% of executive positions by 2030. However, the latest data shows a detour from these ambitious plans. 

About a decade ago, the then-prime minister, Shinzo Abe, told the UN General Assembly he would “create a society in which all women shine”. However, women in Japan continue to fare badly in leadership roles in comparison to many other countries. 

According to a 2022 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) survey, women held just 15.5% of executive positions in Japan. In 2023, an Economist survey ranked Japan 27th out of 29 developed economies in its “glass-ceiling index”. 

The proportion of women in other senior positions in business -- directors, auditors, etc. -- remains similarly low. However, the Kyodo report showed that Japan is making some progress recently. Women members exceeded 3,000 – double the number five years ago.

Prominent Japanese Women In Leadership

Some of the most well-known Japanese women in executive roles include Mitsuko Tottori, the President of Japan Airlines. Her story from being a flight attendant to becoming the first woman to lead the company is a compelling tale of fearlessness and perseverance. 

Another reputed leader is Naomi Unemoto, who became the country's first woman prosecutor-general in July 2024. In 2021, Tomoko Yoshino became the first female president of Rengo, which is regarded as Japan’s biggest trade union organisation.

According to reports, Japan could also soon have a woman prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. She is the incumbent economic security minister and is expected to be in the running in a September 27 vote for leader of the governing Liberal Democratic party (LDP).

Leadership In Other Countries

The 2022 OECD survey showed that women held 40.9% of executive leadership roles in Britain and 45.2% of roles in France. According to other reports, Norway is leading the way for women's leadership, with 13.4% of CEOs in the country being female.

Singapore, Thailand, Sweden and Taiwan also make up the top 5 countries with the most female CEOs. Globally, just 5.4% of CEOs are women. In gender parity in senior management, the Phillippines leads with 43% of roles (compared to 25% globally).