This edited book highlights the unique cultural and socioeconomic elements of Japan and the strong influence of those elements on women leaders in the nation. It shows that gender inequality and under-utilization of female talent are deeply rooted in Japanese society, explaining why Japan lags behind other countries in Asia in this regard. The contributors are expert academicians and practitioners with a clear understanding of Japanese women leaders' aspirations and frustrations. This book has critical implications for the development of women leaders in Japan, providing intriguing insights into developing the potential of highly qualified women leaders in diverse Japanese contexts in which traditional cultural expectations and modernized values coexist.
Democratic leaders around the world are finding it increasingly difficult to exercise strong leadership and maintain public support. However, there is nowhere that this has proven to be as challenging of a task as Japan, which has seen its top leaders change more often over the past 25 years than any other major country in the world. The current prime minister has strived to put an end to this pattern, but can he buck this historical trend? More fundamentally, why do Japan's prime ministers find it so difficult to project strong leadership, or even stay in office? And what are the ramifications for Japan's partners and for the world? This volume, authored by contributors who straddle the scholarly and policymaking worlds in Japan, explores the obstacles facing Japan as it looks for greater leadership and explains why this matters for the rest of the world.
This book explores the unique socioeconomic challenges encountered by female leaders in China, India, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries where traditional cultural expectations and modernized values coexist. It provides insight into gender inequality and underutilization of female talent as well as ways to develop highly qualified women in organizations. Chapters from expert contributors analyze the similarities and differences between each Asian country, the organizational and institutional challenges for women in the workplace, and how they balance work-family relationships. It will appeal to researchers and students in human resource development, management, leadership, Asia studies, women’s studies, and political science, among others.
The share of women in managerial and leadership roles in Japan – in both the public and private sector – are among the lowest across the globe. This paper empirically examines what drives these large gender gaps in leadership in Japan, using the SVAR model. Results suggest — (i) cultural norms where women take up significantly more burden of household and childcare work; (ii) Japan’s unique employment practices (non-regular employment, long in-person working hours); and (iii) the availability of childcare facilities — are the key drivers. Further progress on workstyle reforms, more flexible labor markets, improving the quality of childcare facilities, and raising paternity leave usage will help close these gaps.
While Japan has been on center stage of the world economy for decades, interactions between the Japanese and Westerners continue to be on the rise. Daily communication in both business and social settings is commonplace, and connections through the Internet and mobile media make what felt distant only a few years ago seem familiar. Our cultures and social norms remain vastly different, however, and professionals working in Japan are likely to confront new challenges every day. For example, what are the three biggest challenges for Westerners who go to work in Japan? How can you tell when “yes” might mean “no”? When you are the guest in a taxi, who should sit where? In the fully updated second edition of With Respect to the Japanese, readers discover not only answers to basic etiquette questions, but also how to communicate successfully with the Japanese and, in the process, earn mutual respect. John C. Condon and Tomoko Masumoto use real-life examples (from kindergarten classrooms to the boardroom) to explain the contrast between these two distinct cultures. In this essential guide to Japanese culture, you will learn how vital societal characteristics affect communication, decision making, management styles and many other aspects of work and everyday relationships.
This book examines womenís access to leadership roles and how these roles are perceived in society. It represents one of the first scholarly examinations of the burgeoning field of leadership. Using real-life examples and case studies of prominent women, Dr. Klenke explores the complex interactions between gender, leadership, and culture. Topics include the changing conceptions of leadership, women leaders in history, contemporary leadership theories, barriers to womenís leadership, and women leaders worldwide. This volume is of primary interest to educators and students involved in womenís studies programs as well as in courses in gender and leadership.
The number of women in positions of power and authority in Japanese companies has remained small despite the increase in the number of educated women and the passage of legislation on gender equality. In Too Few Women at the Top, Kumiko Nemoto draws on theoretical insights regarding Japan’s coordinated capitalism and institutional stasis to challenge claims that the surge in women’s education and employment will logically lead to the decline of gender inequality and eventually improve women’s status in the Japanese workplace. Nemoto’s interviews with diverse groups of workers at three Japanese financial companies and two cosmetics companies in Tokyo reveal the persistence of vertical sex segregation as a cost-saving measure by Japanese companies. Women’s advancement is impeded by customs including seniority pay and promotion, track-based hiring of women, long working hours, and the absence of women leaders. Nemoto contends that an improvement in gender equality in the corporate system will require that Japan fundamentally depart from its postwar methods of business management. Only when the static labor market is revitalized through adoption of new systems of cost savings, employee hiring, and rewards will Japanese women advance in their chosen professions. Comparison with the situation in the United States makes the author’s analysis of the Japanese case relevant for understanding the dynamics of the glass ceiling in U.S. workplaces as well.
DIVExplores issues of gender, race and national identity in Japan, by taking up for critical analysis an emergent national trend, in which some urban Japanese women turn to the West--through study abroad, work abroad, and romance with Westerners-- in order/div
These volumes provide an authoritative reference resource on leadership issues specific to women and gender, with a focus on positive aspects and opportunities for leadership in various domains.
Ask 110 top female executives from five nations to reflect on their careers and leadership as part of an international scientific study and you will uncover a set of recommendations for women who want to become and remain international business leaders. There is also invaluable advice for corporate managers wanting to recruit skilled women into executive positions. This book is based on the authentic experiences and original words of the interviewees - all of whom are senior female executives - and on the author's analytical insights, all set within a qualitative, scientific framework. In this international research project, the Global Women Career Lab, the author analyzes what motivates these fascinating role models, how they plan their career trajectories, what mechanisms they use to overcome obstacles and what leadership strategies have enabled these women to reach senior management positions. The book offers the reader a remarkable insight into the experiences of women in top business positions in Russia, China, Japan, France and Germany. About the author: Dr. Bettina-Al-Sadik-Lowinski is a researcher, author and certified international mentor-coach (MCC). Following a long management career in multinational companies, she has worked as an international executive coach and expert on diversity in Germany, France, Japan and China. Reviews: "A wealth of testimonials from female role models from all over the world, with valuable advices for women pursuing professional development as well as for companies leveraging diversity for competitive advantage." Hong Chow, China CEO Roche Pharma, Member of Supervisory Board Beiersdorf "Women need other women as role models in management in order to plan their careers more strategically and understand that the sky is unlimited for them. In this book, 110 role models from various countries share their experiences and I was especially impressed by the examples from Asian female leaders." Mari Nogami, President Takeda Consumer Healthcare Japan, Ex (the first) Chair of Women in Business AmCham Japan "As a big advocator for global diversity I recommend this book to all women who want to rise up their careers globally and to corporate leaders who support diversity in their companies worldwide!" Rosa Lee, Executive Vice President of Bosch China, Member of the Board and Corporate HR Head APAC „It’s not right to think that business is a man ́s world. Women are more sensitive and calmer - this makes us different, helps us to balance and makes ladies the best partners for men." Natalia Ryzhkova, CEO Gulliver&Co Int., Russia " International, authentic reports from female top managers from different countries combined with a sound scientific analysis of the growth factors for women in management. Insights across countries. Highly recommended!" Professor Dr. Jutta Rump, Managing Director, Institut of Employability (IBE), University of the Economy and Society Ludwigshafen, Germany „Women need to understand the country specific codes and create their best image as topmanager- using language, their look and body postures. This books shows us the similarities and the differences of female images in top positions in the five nations. Great findings!" Muriel de Saint Sauveur, President Women Masterclass France, former International Marketing, Communications and Diversity Director, Mazars Group, France „Les femmes doivent oser prendre leur juste place dans l’economie, que ce soit en tant qu’entrepreneure ou en tant que cadre dirigeante. C’est une question d’equilibre social mais plus encore de potentiel de performance. Plus de femmes signifie plus de croissance et plus de diversité dans les choix stratégiques. Osez, osez, c’est le maitre-mot à mettre en pratique!" Marie-Claire Capobianco, Ex membre du Comité exécutif du groupe BNPParibas, Membre du Haut Comité de Gouvernement d’Entreprise, France „Chinese female executives have many strengths. Great learnings also from women around the world. A treasure book!" Shelley Chen, Senior Director Human Resources, Communications and Public Relations, Saint-Gobain Pipe, APAC, Head of PAM-LAN- Diversity Institute, China " Top managers from five nations provide insights into how they strategically plan their careers, and break down barriers. The author Dr. Bettina AL-Sadik-Lowinski has managed to work out the cultural differences and similarities between these women. Very educational, worth reading and scientifically sound." Prof. Manuela Rousseau, Deputy chairwoman of the supervisory board and Author, Germany " Finally. International role models report what women need to advance further. The quotes contain a global fund that helps women successfully overcome barriers." Christine Rittner, former Global CHRO, Executive board member, Lidl, Germany " A journey through the career worlds of women of different cultures. Solidarity from women for women. Highly recommended." Dr. Marion Welp, Attorney at Law, Chief Human Resources & Legal Affairs Officer, Member Executive Management Team, Board member, Esprit, Germany "Women in top management positions speak plain language. A great initiative. " Sonja Mechling, Head of Global Marketing, UX & Digital Innovation, Schindler Group, Germany „This world deserves more ladies in the leadership positions as a driver of positive changes. Dr. Bettina and her ladies had found their way to the Top and generously shares it in the book." Evgeny Bazhov, Chief Representative, Russia, Financial Association of EuroAsian Cooperation „Full of valuable insights. A must read to understand how women career paths work. Read it. Implement it." Christine Hesse, CEO Hesse Design, Germany
