Current Status and Challenges of Gender Equality in Japan - May, 2022 Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
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Current Status and Challenges
of Gender Equality in Japan
May, 2022
Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office,
Government of Japan
Gender Gap Index (GGI) 2021
As for Gender Gap Index of World Economic Forum, Japan ranks 120th out of 156 countries.
Economic Participation and Opportunity Rank Country Score
(0.604) • Labour force participation 1 Iceland 0.892
Iceland(0.892) • Wage equality survey
1 2 Finland 0.861
1/156 • Estimated earned income 3 Norway 0.849
Japan(0.656) • Legislators, senior officials and
0.8 managers
4 New Zealand 0.840
120/156 • Professional and technical workers 5 Sweden 0.823
0.6
Average(0.677) 11 Germany 0.796
0.4 16 France 0.784
0.2 23 United Kingdom 0.775
Political 24 Canada 0.772
0 Education
Empowerment (0.983) 30 United States 0.763
(0.061) 63 Italy 0.721
• Women in parliament • Literacy rate 79 Thailand 0.710
• Women in ministerial positions • Enrolment in primary education
• Years with female head of state • Enrolment in secondary education Russian
• Enrolment in tertiary education
81 0.708
Federation
87 Viet Nam 0.701
101 Indonesia 0.688
102 Korea, Rep. 0.687
Health and Survival 107 China 0.682
• Sex ratio at birth
(0.973)
• Healthy life expectancy
119 Angola 0.657
1.Source: World Economic Forum “Global Gender Gap Report 2021” 120 Japan 0.656
2. Indicators with low scores are listed in red. 121 Sierra Leone 0.655
3.Results by Subindex :Economic Participation and Opportunity(117th), Education Attainment(92nd),
Health and Survival(65th), Political Empowerment(147th) 1
“How Do You Feel about Gender Equality?”
・ Asked about how they feel about gender equality throughout society, 21.2% of respondents felt that women and
men received equal treatment, while 74.1% felt that men are being given privileged treatment (exclusive
privileged treatment for men 11.3% + privileged treatment for men in general 62.8%).
・ By sector, 61.2% of respondents felt that there was gender equality in schools and education, 46.5% in community
activities including PTA, 45.5% at home, 39.7% in law and institutions, 30.7% in the workplace, 22.6% in social
conventions and customs, and 14.4% in politics.
Sense of gender equality throughout society Women are being given
Men are being given privileged privileged treatment 3.1％
treatment 74.1％
Privileged treatment Exclusive privileged
Privileged treatment for women in general treatment for women
Exclusive privileged
treatment for men for men in general Equal treatment Don’t know
Numerical Targets on The Fifth
Basic Plan for Gender Equality ；
Total 11.3% 62.8% 21.2% 50% for the present (until 2025)
0.3% , while the ultimate goal is nearly
1.6%2.8%
100%
Women 13.1% 64.4% 18.4% 0.2%
2.1% 1.7%
Men 9.2% 61.0% 24.5%
0.3%
1.0%4.0%
0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%
Source: Cabinet Office, Public Opinion Poll on a Gender Equal Society (Sept. 2019) 2
Women in Politics
1. Diet
Percentage of female Number of female
Number of members
members members
House of Representatives 9.9% 465 46
House of Councillors 23.0% 243 56
Total 14.4% 708 102
2. Local assemblies
Percentage of female Number of female
Number of members
members members
Prefectural assemblies 11.8% 2,598 306
Municipal assemblies 15.4% 29,425 4,520
Total 15.1% 32,023 4,826
Notes 1. As of April 28, 2021 for the House of Representatives, and May 23, 2022 for the House of Councillors (from the House of Representatives and House of
Councillors websites).
2. As of December 31, 2021 for prefectural assemblies (survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications).
3. As of December 31, 2021 for municipalities (survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications).
4. Percentage of female voters: 51.7% (based on the preliminary results of the ordinary election for the House of Councillors, Results of the Ordinary Election
for the House of Councillors, executed on October 31, 2021).
3
Women in Parliament in G7 Countries
Lower or single house
Rank Country % Women Women/Seats
27 France 39.5 228/577
35 Italy 35.7 225/630
39 United Kingdom 33.9 220/650
49 Germany 31.5 223/709
52 Canada 29.6 100/338
67 United States of America 27.3 118/433
・
・ ・
・
166 Japan 9.9 46/465
Note 1. The source for Japan: the websites of the House of Representatives as of April 2022
2. The source for other countries: “Women in Politics:2021”, the IPU’s website
4
Gender and age structure of people and Diet members in Japan
Women comprise approximately 51.7% of our nation's electorate. Compared to the gender and age structure of the population as a whole, there
are fewer women and younger generations of parliamentarians.
(1,000 people) 0 10 20 30 40
[Whole nation] 0 20
100
40 60 80 100 120 [Diet members] 100
or older
(People)
or
older Male Female
90
90
Average Average
57.4 years 54.9 years
80
80
70
70
60 60
50 50
40 40
30: Eligibility for election (House of Councillors)
30 30
years
25 25: Eligibility for election (House of Representatives)
25
25歳
40 30 20 10 0
20 (People)
18 18: Right to vote
Male 10 Female Note: Produced by the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office based on the
House of Representatives website (as of April 28, 2022) and the House
(1,000 of Councillors website (May 23, 2022) (the number of members and
people) 0 their ages are as of April 28 , 2022).
years
5
Note: Produced by the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office based on Population
Estimates, Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Voter Turnout by Gender and Age
(49th General Election for the Members of the House of Representatives [executed Oct. 31, 2021])
Voter turnout is higher among the 18–19 age group than the 20–29 age group, both for men and women. Also, it is higher among women
between the 18–19 and 60–64 age groups, and higher among men in the 65–69 and older age groups.
(%)
■ Men
■ Women
Total: 55.9%
Men: 56.1%
Women: 55.8%
73.1 72.0 74.1 73.5
72.5
70.9
69.7 68.7
66.3
65.0
61.9
58.5 59.6 59.7
56.1
54.8
52.3
50.5
46.8 47.3
45.7
42.2 43.3 42.5
40.9
35.6 36.7
31.8
18–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–49 50–54 55–59 60–64 65–69 70–74 75–79 80+ Age group
6
Note: Compiled by the Cabinet Office based on preliminary results from the General Election for the Members of the House of Representatives executed
Oct. 31, 2021, as published in “Number of Voters by Age” by MIC
Women in Central Government
The percentage of women in the national civil service by position level is significantly lower in Japan than that of other countries at all position
levels.
Women in senior management (Director- (%)
Women in middle management (Director level)
(%) General, Deputy Director-General level) 60
51.3 50.7
50 44.6 42.0 47.6
50 42.8
37.1 34.0
40 32.5 30.8 40 34.8 34.4
30 30 25.7
20 20
8.6
10 4.2 10 4.9
0 0
イUnited
アUnited
イItaly
フFrance
カCanada
ドGermany
イUnited
イItaly
フFrance
アUnited
韓Korea,
日本
ドGermany
カCanada
韓Korea,
日本
Kingdom
States
Rep.
Kingdom
States
Rep.
ギリス
メリカ
タリア
ランス
ナダ
イツ
ギリス
タリア
ランス
メリカ
国
イツ
ナダ
国
Japan
Japan
(%) Women in other positions of Central
80 71.4 government
70 61.4 55.5
60 54.6 54.0
50
46.1 42.8
40
30 20.4
20
10
0
Japan
United States
Korea, Rep.
United Kingdom
Canada
France
Germany
Italy
Source: Government at a Glance 2021, OECD
7Proportion of women in managerial positions of
Number of Employed Women private corporation
The number of employed women has increased by approximately The proportion of women in department manager level, director
3.4 million in 9 years (2012-2021) level, and section chief level is steadily growing.
However, the higher the position, the lower the percentage.
(million)
31 30 Numerical Target
3,002 20.7 (The 5th Basic Plan)
30
＋3.4million 20 Section chief level
30％（2025）
29
28 12.4 18％（2025）
Director level
10
27
2,633 2,658 12％（2025）
26 Department manager level 7.7
0
25 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2021 (year)
24 Note:1. Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Basic Survey on Wage Structure, as of June each year
2. Of those workers at corporation with 100 or more permanent workers, managerial staff without fixed terms
of employment.
2005 10 12 15 21 3. Management positions are defined as follows: Department manager level : In charge of two or more sections
or one section of at least 20 staff (themselves included); Director level: In charge of two or more sub-
(year)
Source: “Labor Force Survey (Basic Tabulation),” MIC. sections or one sub-section of at least 10 staff (themselves included).4.It should be noted that methods of
estimation have changed from the 2020 survey.
Number of Women Executives in Listed Companies Ratios of Women Executives Overseas
The number of women executives in listed companies has increased 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
by 4.8 times in 9 years (2012-2021) (％)
3500 8.0
France 45.3%
(number of women executives)
4000 7.5 Italy 38.8%
3000 7.0
Sweden 37.9%
ratio 6.0
3000
2500
number of United Kingdom 37.8%
5.0
2000 women Germany 36.0%
executives
2000 4.0 Canada 32.9%
1500
3.0 United States 29.7%
1000
1000 1.6 3,055
2.0 China 13.8%
500 1.0 Japan 12.6%(※) 8
630 8.7%
0 0 0.0 Korea, Rep
2003 5 10 12 15 20 21 (year) Source: Values from OECD, Social and Welfare Statistics 2021
For EU countries, data refer to the largest 50 members of the primary blue-chip index in each country; for other
Source: Toyo Keizai ”YAKUIN SHIKIHO” countries, companies covered by the MSCI ACWI index (an index of approx.2,900 large- and mid-cap firms).
Note: Data: as of 31st July each year. Surveyed all listed companies including Note: The target ratio for women board members at listed companies in the Fourth Basic Plan for Gender Equality was
8
the JASDAQ listed companies. “Board“ means directors, auditors, representative executive officer calculated from Tōyō Keizai Shinpōsha, Executive Quarterly. (The ratio of women board members at all listed
companies as at July 2021 was 7.5%).
and executive officers of the companied with nomination committee, etc.Gender Pay Gap
Dual labor market Same occupation and length of service
Scheduled cash earnings (1000 yen/month) Childcare workers
(1000 yen/month) (By employment type and age group) 500
450 450 Men
428.6 400
350
400 Regular (men)
300
250
350 200 Women
Regular (women)
305.6 274.7 150
300
０ １～４ ５～９ 10～14 More than 15
250 (Years of service)
200
Non-regular (men) System consultants, designers
(1000 yen/month)
200.2
Non-regular (women)
and software authors
150
500 Men
19 or younger 25～29 35～39 45～49 55～59 65～69
Women
(Age) 400 Men
Women
300
200
０ １～４ ５～９ 10～14 More than 15
(Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2021, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare) (Years of service)
9Gender Equality in Science, Technology and Academic Fields
Number of women Nobel Prize laureates (in natural science) Proportion of women researchers in foreign countries
Physiology, United
(%)
Physics Chemistry Total イギリス
medicine Kingdom 39.0
United United
States
5 2 2 9 アメリカ
States 34.0
France
フランス
Europe 5 1 4 10 28.3
Germany
ドイツ
Japan 0 0 0 0 28.1
Republic of
韓国 21.4
Other 2 1 1 4 Korea
Japan
日本 17.5
Total 12 4 7 23
0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0
* Total laureates through to 2021. Sources: Survey on Research and Development, MIC (2021); Main Science and Technology Indicators,
(
* “Other” comprises Israel, Australia, China and Canada. OECD; and Science and Engineering Indicators, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Proportion of women undergraduate students in universities OECD survey on learning achievement (15-year-olds)
Japan OECD average
人文科学
Humanities 65.0% 35.0%
Total Boys Girls Total Boys Girls
社会科学
Social sciences 35.8% 64.2%
理学
Science 27.8% 72.2% 女性
Women Mean score in
529 531 528
489 488 490
工学 15.7%
Engineering 84.3% scientific literacy
points points points
points points points
2nd 1st 3rd
農学
Agriculture 45.2% 54.8% 男性
Men
Healthcare (medicine, Mean score in 527 532 522
保健(医歯薬学)
dentistry, pharmacology) 48.9% 51.1% 489 492 487
mathematical points points points
points points points
保健(看護学等) Healthcare 91.3% 8.7% literacy 1st 1st 2nd
(nursing, etc.)
教育
Education 59.0% 41.0% Mean score in 504 493 514
487 472 502
reading points points points
その他等
Other 47.7% 52.3% performance points points points
10th 9th 14th
* Compiled based on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018, OECD
Source: FY2021 School Basic Survey, MEXT Ranked out of 37 OECD member countries. Students attending school who are aged between 15
years and 3 months and 16 years and 2 months at the time of the survey
(in the case of Japan: first year senior high school students). 10Marriage and Divorce
120 30
（million pieces） 26.7 （％）
26.4
102.9
100 25
Ratio of a number in remarriages of a number
in all marriages（right scale）
80 20
Marriage
Divorce
60 15
51.4
40 11.1 10
26.4
18.8
20 5
6.9
0 0
1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2018 2019 2020 2021
※Number of remarriages: Both spouses remarried or one of them remarried
Figures for 2021 are preliminary figures including foreigners in Japan. The number of marriages in 2021 is the total of remarriages and first marriages.
11
Source: Demographic Surveys, Ministry of Health, Labour and WelfareLife Expectancy of Men and Women
Men Women
Survival rate at
the age of 90 28.1% 52.6%
years
Survival rate at
the age of 95 10.5% 27.9%
years
Average life
expectancy 81.56 years 87.71 years
The mode age of
death (※) 88 years 93 years
Population over
the age of 100 9,766 69,757
years
Population over
the age of 105 715 5,800
years
(※)”The mode age of death” is the age with the highest number of deaths.
“Population over the age of 100 years” and “Population over the age 105 years” are based on the 2020 National Census by Ministry of Internal Affairs
and Communications, and the others are based on the 2020 Summary of Simplified Life Tables by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. 12Changes in the Family Figure
1980 2015 2020
Couple and Child(Children) Single person Single person
15,081 thousand
households
42.1 ％
18,418 thousand
households
34.5 ％ 21,151 thousand
households
38.0 ％
３generations, etc. Couple and Child(Children) Couple and Child(Children）
7,124 thousand
households
19.9 ％ 14,288 thousand
households
26.8 ％ 13,949 thousand
households
25.0 ％
Single person Couple only Couple only
7,105 thousand
households
19.8 ％
10,718 thousand
households
20.1 ％ 11,159 thousand
households
20.0 ％
Couple only ３generations, etc. Single-parent and Child(Children)
4,460 thousand
households
12.5 ％ 5,024 thousand
households
9.4 ％
5,003 thousand
households
9.0 ％
Single-parent and Child(Children) Single-parent and Child(Children) ３generations, etc.
2,053 thousand
households
5.7 ％
4,748 thousand
households
8.9 ％ 4,283 thousand
households
7.7 ％
※Based on the National Census by Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Percentage of general households. 3 generations, etc. is the sum of households
with only relatives other than nuclear family members and households that include non-relatives. 13Changing Lifestyles of Men
13% of men take childcare leave. One in four 50-year-old men are unmarried (which means they never married). There are 10.94
million of male single-person households (which makes 19.6% of ordinary households). More engagement of men at home and in
the community is necessary.
Proportion of employees who take childcare Number of male single-person households (by age group):
leave in the private sector 10.94 million
(10,000 households)
FY2018 FY2019 FY2020
200 198.4 * 10.21 million female single-person households (18.3% of ordinary households)
With spouse
Women 82% 83% 82% 144.4 150.5 154.8 Unknown
150 134.2 Unmarried Separated
Men 6% 7% 13% 106.9 Bereaved
100
Note: Compiled by the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, based on the Basic
Survey of Gender Equality in Employment Management, MHLW 54.8
50
■ Percentage of male national public employees (general) who took childcare leave
(survey by National Personnel Authority)
• 51.4% (FY2020) 0
■ Percentage male local public employees who took childcare leave (survey by MIC) 20–29
20～29歳 30–39
30～39歳 45–49
40～49歳 50–59
50～59歳 60–69
60～69歳 70–79
70～79歳 80+
80歳以上
• 13.2% (FY2020)
Source: Compiled by the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, based on the 2020 Population Census, MIC.
Primary caregiver for a family member who
Proportion of the unmarried at age 50 live together with
30 (%) Daughter-in-law
25.69 Wife
23.37
25 Men
20 Daughter
15
16.37
10 14.06
5 3.33 Husband
Women Son-in-law
Son
0 1.70
1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 2019
(Year)
Sources: Compiled by the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, based on the Annual Compiled by the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, based on the Comprehensive
Population and Social Security Surveys (2021), National Institute of Population and
Social Security Research, for 1970-2015, and the 2020 Population Census, MIC, for 2020.
Survey of Living Conditions, MHLW.
14Changes in Number of Dual-Income Households, etc.
(households where the wife is 64 years old or younger)
[10,000 households]
1,200 1173
Dual-income households
1177
1,000 937
800
849
600 Households consisting of an employed
husband and a wife without paid work 462
400 458
200
0
2002
14 2004
16 2006
18 2008
20 2010
22 2012
24 2014
26 2016
28 2018
30 2020
2 2021
3
（2002） （2004） （2006） （2008） （2010） （2012） （2014） （2016） （2018） (2020) (2021)
※ Produced by the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office based on the Labour Force Survey (Detailed tabulation) by Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
※”Dual-income households” refers to households in which both spouses are employed in the non-agricultural and forestry sectors (including non-regular staff and employees) and
are 64 years of age or younger. “Households consisting of a husband who work as employee and a non working wife” refers to households in which the husband is a non-
agricultural or forestry employee and the wife is a non-working person (non-working population or unemployed) and 64 years old or younger. Values for 2010 and 2011 are for
the entire country except for Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures. 15Employment Rates of Married Women
by Their Husbands’ Income (aged 30-39)
Employment rates
of wives (％)
80
75.4
75 73.3 72.9
74.5
68.2
70 69.3
71.0 68.7
65 67.2
65.2
62.6 All households
60
59.5 56.3
55 54.6
50.8
49.0
50 52.2 51.3 48.5
45 46.3
Households with children 45.5 40.1
40 41.8 39.7
35
30
less than 1～1.99 2～2.99 3～3.99 4～4.99 5～5.99 6～6.99 7～7.99 8～8.99 9～9.99 10～14.99 more than
1 15
Husbands’ income
（million yen）
Source: Prepared by the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, based on the Employment Status Survey (2017), by Ministry
of Internal Affairs and Communications.
16Percentages of Employed Persons by Income
(by sex, marital status, and age)
Men （married） Men （unmarried）
100% 100%
80% 80%
60% 60%
40% 40%
20% 20%
0% 0%
Women （married） Women （unmarried）
100% 100%
80% 80%
60% 60%
40% 40%
20% 20%
0% 0%
less than 1 1～1.99 2～2.99 3～3.99 4～4.99
5～5.99 6～6.99 7～9.99 10 more than (million yen)
Source: Prepared by the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, based on the Employment Status Survey (2017), by Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
17Income of Married Women with
日本人の年齢構造と国会議員の年齢構造 a Bachelor Degree or Higher
100%
1000万円以上
10 million yen or higher
90% 700～999万円
7–9.99 million yen
600～699万円
6–6.99 million yen
80% 500～599万円
5–5.99 million yen
400～499万円
4–4.99 million yen
70% 300～399万円
3–3.99 million yen
200～299万円
2–2.99 million yen
60% 100～199万円
1–1.99 million yen
100万円未満
Less than 1 million yen
50% 無業者
Unemployed
40%
30% about about about
about 60% 70%
50% 60%
20%
10%
0%
25–34
25～34歳 35–44
35～44歳 45–54
45～54歳 55–64
55～64歳 (Age)
Notes:1. Produced by the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, based on the Employment Status Survey (2017), Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
2. Unemployed does not include those people who resigned from their previous job in 1987 or earlier and are still unemployed. Therefore, the number of
unemployed persons aged 50 or over as of 2017 may in fact be more. 18Single-Parent Households
Over the last 30 years, single-mother households have increased by 1.5 times, single-father households by 1.1 times.
Single-mother households* 0.849million households 1.232 million households (approx. 86.8% of single-parent households)
Single-father households* 0.173million households 0.187million households (approx. 13.2% of single-parent households)
（FY1988） （FY2016）
* Total single-mother and single-father households, including households with a co-habitant other than the parent
Reference: In 2019, there were 11.22 million households with children (Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions).
Single-mother Single-father
General households (ref.)
households households
Employment
81.8%
rate
Of employees:
Regular
Of employees:
Non-regular 52.3%
3.98 million yen Average earnings
Average annual work 2 million yen
Regular: 3.05 million yen Regular: 4.28million yen million yen
income Part-time, etc.: 1.33 million yen Part-time, etc.: 1.90 million yen million yen
Rate of single-parents who receive
child support
Source: Single-mother and single-father household figures were drawn from Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, FY2016 National Survey on Single-
Parent Households, general households from Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, FY2021 Labour Force Survey (aged 15 to 64 )and
National Tax Agency, FY2020 Statistical Survey of Actual Status for Salary in the Private Sector.
* The composition ratios of regular and non-regular workers in single-mother and single-father households were calculated from the totals of “regular staff”
and “non-regular staff” (total of “Part-time, etc. workers” and “dispatch workers”). 19Ages of Mother and Youngest Child in Single-mother Households at Time of Divorce, etc.
• Approximately half (48.4%) of mothers were in their 30s when they became a single-mother household, followed by 20s (28.8%) and 40s
(19.4%).
• In nearly 70% of cases, the youngest child was aged five years or younger when the family became a single-mother household.
〇 Single-mother households, by mother’s age
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
1.9
0.0
Divorce,
離婚等 28.8 48.4 19.4 1.3
etc.
Total number: 1,709
Average age: 33.4 years
20歳未満
Under 20 20～29歳
20–29 30～39歳
30–39 40～49歳
40–49 50～59歳
50–59 60歳以上
60+
〇 Single-mother households, by age of youngest child
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
0.2
Divorce,
離婚等 45.7 22.7 14.6 8.9 5.7 2.3
etc.
Total number: 1,627
Average age: 4.3 years
0–2
0～2 歳 3–5
3～5 歳 6–8 歳
6～8 9–11
9～11歳 12–14
12～14歳 15–17
15～17歳 18–19
18･19歳
Notes: 1. Compiled by the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, based on the FY2016 Nationwide Survey on Single Parent Household, MHLW.
2. A single-mother household is a household in which a fatherless child (aged under 20 years, unmarried) is raised by their mother.
A single-father household is a household in which a motherless child is raised by their father.
3. “Divorce, etc.” is defined as living separately in the FY2016 Nationwide Survey on Single Parent Household, and is the sum of divorced, unmarried mothers, deserted, missing and other.
4. The percentage of single-mother households, by mother’s age group, is calculated as a fraction of all households excluding those in which the mother’s age at the time the family became a single-mother
household was unknown.
5. The percentage of single-mother households, by age of youngest child, is calculated as a fraction of all households excluding those in which the youngest child’s age at the time the family became a single-
mother household was unknown.Distribution of Equivalent Disposable Income for All Households and for Single-parent Households
• Approximately half of single-parent households* had an equivalent disposable income at or below the poverty line.
* Active households with child(ren) and one adult
(%)
All households (2015, 2018)
16 Poverty line in 2018
(1,270,000 yen)
14
2015 2018
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
(10,000 yen)
Single-parent households (active households with child(ren) (1 adult)) (2015, 2018)
(%)
16 Poverty line in 2018
14 (1,270,000 yen)
12 2015
2018
10
8
6
4
2
0
(10,000 yen)
Compiled by the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, based on the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions, MHLW. Figures for 2015 exclude Kumamoto Prefecture. “Adult” refers to a
21
person aged 18 years or older, and “child” refers to a person aged 17 years or younger. “Active household” refers to a household in which the head of the household is aged 18 or older but
younger than 65. Excludes household members whose equivalent disposable income is unknown.Impacts of COVID-19 on Women’s Employment
Changes in the Number of Employed Persons
（Ten thousand
2019 Average people）
（Ten thousand people） Men 2020 Average 2021 Average
（left scale） 67.50million persons 67.10 million persons 67.13 million persons
3800 3120
(＋0.68) （▲0.40） （＋0.03）
3748 Men 37.44 (+0.18) Men 37.24 （▲0.20） Men 37.11 （▲0.13）
3760 Women 30.05 (+0,49) Women 29.86 （▲0.19） Women 30.02（＋0.16）
3080
3720
▲32 3716 3698
3040
3719
3680 3011 3000
▲63 3014
3640 2974 Women 2960
（right scale）
2948
3600 2920
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3
2019 2020 2021 2022
(Prepared from “Labour Force Survey” by Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Seasonally adjusted series.)
Year-on-Year Changes in the Numbers of Employed Persons by Industry
（Ten thousand people）
Changes compared to （Ten thousand people） Women Changes compared to
60 Men the same period of 2019 60 The number of
Information and the same period of 2019
The number of employed person Medical, health
Information and communications
employed person Medical, health care and Welfare
40 communications 40
care and Welfare
20 20
0 0
-20 -20 Accommodations, Eating
Accommodations, Eating and drinking services
and drinking services -40
-40
-60 Living-related and personal -60
services and amusement services Living-related and personal services Others
Others -80 and amusement services
-80
-100
-100
1～3 4～6 7～9 10～12 1～3 4～6 7～9 10～12 1～3 4～6 7～9 10～12 1～3
1～3 4～6 7～9 10～12 1～3 4～6 7～9 10～12 1～3 4～6 7～9 10～12 1～3
2019 2020 2021 2022 2019 2020 2021 2022
（Prepared from “Labour Force Survey” by Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Original series） 22Changes in the Number of DV Consultations, Ages of those who received DV Consultations, and
Content of Consultations
Changes in the number of DV consultations Ages of those People in their 30s and 40s account for about 50% of the total.
The number of DV consultations in FY2020 was about who received DV （N=15,060）
1.5times that of the previous year. consultations
(Cases)
200,000
150,000
100,000 182,188 Contents of consultation
About 60% of the consultations involved mental domestic violence.
119,276 (multiple answers)
50,000
Physical
0
FY2019 FY2020 Mental
(before the spread of Sexual
COVID19) Economical
(Source) Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office
Social
Changes in the Number of DV Consultations (Source:) Report on "Survey and Research Project for Analysis of Consultation
（every month） Support in the DV Consultation (Plus Project" for the first half of FY 2021.
The number of consultations in FY2020 is 182,188, approximately 1.5 times the number in FY 2019.
Spousal Violence Domestic Violence Hotline Plus
(Cases) Counseling and （From April 2020）
Support Centers
April May June July August September October November December January February
According to a survey by Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office. Provisional number of consultations at Spousal Violence Counseling and Support Centers nationwide as of February 28, 2022.
March
23Sexual Crimes and Sexual Violence
Experiences of forced sexual intercourse, etc.
About 1 in 14 women have experienced forced sexual intercourse, etc.
by one person, 5.3% by more than one
person, 1.6% N/A, 3.9%
Women Never, 89.2%
Experienced forced sexual intercourse
Women Cabinet Office, "Survey on Violence between Men and Women.
(Released in March 2021)
Changes in the number of consultations at 52 One-Stop Support Centers
for Victims of Sexual Crimes and Sexual Violence nationwide (first half of FY2021)
(Cases)
6,000 FY 2021 (Cases)
FY 2020 5,186 5,065 30,000
4,883 5,000 ＋26.4％
5,000 4,748
4,543
FY 2019 25,000
4,505
4,000 4,293 4,219
4,072 20,000
3,000 3,139 15,000 29,425
3,058
23,286
2,000 10,000 19,964
3,437 3,561 3,561
3,235 3,281
2,889
5,000
1,000
0
1H 1H 1H
0
24
Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
Note: The number of consultations is the total number of consultations by phone, interview, email, SNS, etc.The Number of Suicides
Changes in the Number of Suicides The Number of suicides among employed or working
women
2019 total 2020 total 2021 total
（People）
1,534 1,549
21,081 people 21,007 people
1800 (＋389 people (＋404 people
20,169 people （＋912） 1600
1,238
compared to 2019）compared to 2019）
Men 14,078 （▲74） 1400 1,153 1,117 1,145
Men 14,055（▲23） 1,085
Men 13,939（▲116） 1200 286 307
Women 6,091 Women 7,026
Women 7,068（＋42） 1000 266
（＋935） 234 214 221 367 352
800 215
275 252 300 304 288
600 308 307
Jan.-Apr. 2020 Jan.-Apr. 2021 Jan.-Apr. 2022
400 277 270 229 253 211
410
6,415 people 7,321 people 6,849 people 200
238 212 246 254 277
401
Men 4,553 0
（＋906） （▲472）
Women 1,882 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
2020 2021
Men 4,904（＋371） Men 4,628（▲276）
～19歳old
~19years 20～29歳
20~29years old 30～39歳 40～49歳
40~49years old 50～59歳
50~59years old
Women 2,417 Women 2,221 30~39years old
60～69歳
60~69years old 70～79歳
70~79years old 80歳～
80years old~ 不詳
unidentified 総数total
（＋535） （▲196）
Note: Prepared from “Number of Suicides” on the National Police Agency’s website. Original series. Figures by Note: Prepared from “Suicide Statistics” Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s website.
2021 are definite. Figures for 2022 are provisional as of May 20, 2022. The number of suicides based on the date of discovery (the number of suicides discovered in the year）.
Numbers of suicides among unemployed women
（People）
＜Unemployed women＞ （People） ＜Housewives (included in the number of unemployed women)＞
8000 2000
4,876 4,886 1,498 1,168 1,136
5,733
6000 5,211 4,908
( +405 people ( +415 people
1,340
4,804 compared to 2019）
compared to 2019） 1500 1,215
(＋143 people (＋111 people
1,027
4,471 183 1,095 compared to 2019）
compared to 2019）
955 1,025
Break down
928 888 872 162
935 354 144
4000 1,194
1,044
827 1000 137
153 166
1,027 1,046 1,049 339 122
1,016 960 293 251 242
1,071 1,003 242 222
872 833 786 747 397
726 359 313
2000 791 735 738 716 770 500 347 304 288 322
699 679
826 696 638 652 588 700 667 315 273 242 229 203 273 236
0 172 124 113 113 117 118 106
0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
～19歳old 20～29歳 30～39歳old 40～49歳 50～59歳
~19years
60～69歳old
60~69years
20~29years old
70～79歳
70~79years old
30~39years
80歳～
80years old~
40~49years
不詳
old
unidentified
50~59years
総数
total
old ～19歳old
~19years
60～69歳
60~69years old
20～29歳
20~29years
70～79歳old
70~79years
old 30～39歳
30~39years old
80歳～
80years old~
40～49歳
40~49years old
不詳
unidentified 総数
25
50～59歳
50~59years old
total
Note: Prepared from “Suicide Statistics” Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s website. The number of suicides based on the date of discovery (the number of suicides discovered in the year).
25Measures Against Sexual Assault Measures Against
Policy for enhancement of measures against sexual crimes and sexual assault (Overview) Spousal Violence
(June 11, 2020 decision by related ministries and agencies meetings to enhancement of measures against sexual crimes and sexual assault)
Period of intensive enhancement of measures against Initiatives based on the 【 DV Consultation Navi】
sexual crimes and sexual assault (Three years from FY2020 to characteristics of Sex Offenses
and Gender Based Violence
FY2022) ※closest consultation centers
♯８００８
Steady implementation
Consider Penal Code and take appropriate steps based on the results
Further enhance measures to prevent sex offenders from reoffending
of policy
First
Create conditions conducive to registering complaints and seeking
advice
Establish seamless, full victim support
Educate and raise awareness to change society’s mindset and prevent
violence
Nights and holidays call
centers for victims of sexual
violence (from Oct. 1, 2021)
The support is provided in cooperation
with One-Stop support centers. The
One-stop support centers for
support is available on nights and
victims of sexual crimes and holidays to respond to victims outside Cure Time
sexual violence of the operating hours of the closest SNS consultation on sexual
Nationwide Speed dial One-Stop service centers. violence
「#8891」 Start 20.April
Domestic Violence Hotline Plus
2020
SNS
Mail
24Hours（Japanese
State Guest House
Akasaka Palace Purple
language only） Accompanying,
protection, etc.
Light Up campaign Every ０１２０－２７９－８８９
April
Nov 12–25, every year
Stop Youth Sexual
26
Campaign for Eliminating Violence against Women
Violence MonthPolicy Speech by Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio to the 208th Session of the Diet (Excerpt)
（From the Prime Minister's Office website）
〇When we consider raising household income, the gender pay gap is also a major topic. We will review the rules covering
corporate disclosure to fix the gap.
〇What will become the foundation supporting a new form of capitalism is a society that values diversity, in which all
people can feel their purpose in life, whether old or young, male or female, or having a disability.
〇People’s lifestyles and family styles are becoming increasingly diverse. We will work to promote “Women's economic
empowerment” and eradicate violence against women, including domestic violence, which has increased sharply since the
COVID-19 pandemic started.
〇At the Meeting on a Social Security System Oriented to All Generations, we will advance discussions towards creating a
society in which men and women can work as they wish; towards increasing the number of people supporting the social
security system through, for example, restraining increases in the financial burden borne by the young generation and
providing universal workers’ insurance; and towards building a sustainable social security system in which all people, in
accordance with their ability, mutually assist others. 27Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio’s Message on International Women’s Day 2022
（From the Prime Minister's Office website）
Hello, everyone. I am KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan.
Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day, as designated by the United Nations in 1975. I wish to express my sincere respect and
appreciation for the passion and the efforts made by all those working earnestly for gender equality and women’s empowerment on a day-
to-day basis. I also want to celebrate this day together with all of you.
Promoting gender equality is an important and firmly-rooted policy of the Japanese Government and also a norm we share with the wider
international community. Moreover, it is an indispensable element of a society that values individuality and diversity, which my Cabinet
aims to achieve.
Regardless, it must be said that the current situation in Japan lags significantly behind that of other countries, as indicated by Japan’s
ranking of 120th place globally in the Gender Gap Index. Structural issues are considered to form the backdrop for our current
circumstances, including the existence of a wage gap between men and women and fixed gender role awareness.
I believe “Economic empowerment” is the key to responding to the challenges and structural issues that Japan’s women are facing. I have
placed “Economic empowerment” at the very core of a “New form of capitalism,” the showcase policy of the Kishida administration.
We will foster an environment in which women can be financially independent. We will achieve this by taking all manner of measures,
including reviewing public prices, which will precede wage increases in the private sector, reviewing corporate disclosure rules with a view
to rectifying wage discrepancies between men and women, and creating a society in which both men and women can work in the manner
they choose.
As we mark International Women’s Day, as prime minister I once again pledge to do my utmost to enable all women in Japan, and indeed
all women around the world, to walk, full of vitality, down the paths that they themselves choose.
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