Top
Japanese women are an enigma to the world. Demure and exotic, they are often portrayed as sufferers in the chauvinistic culture – for example, married women on average spend as twice as long time on chores compared to their partners. Designated to a second-class citizen status in the working world, they are ultra-minority in the decision-making positions (e.g. half of public companies have all-male boards). It is lamentable when more than thirty years have passed since the Equal Employment Act was enacted in 1987.
"And where are the women?" asks a perplexed Belgian CEO who freshly assumed his role at a blue-chip Japanese company, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings. This book tries to answer this question through firsthand interviews with successful senior Japanese women who have embarked on a career around 1987, thus approaching retirement. They range from corporate, entrepreneurs to academic. They are a minority compared to their male peers in the cohort, but they present a wide spectrum of how a minority can carve out a long and rewarding career. Diversity of their colorful lives tells a reality of Japanese women not relegated to a monolithic, victimized position in the society. Often their careers take an unexpected turn making them more thrilling rides than straightforward paths of men. The mentors play an important role. The role models are often amiss, but not missed by these trailblazers. It is also about riding the wave – if the employer is routing for women to ascend, why feel ashamed about seizing the opportunity? They are tales of individual struggles and triumphs. The women are funny and forthcoming. Much has changed throughout their career, but there is still a long way to go. Having been there done that, they share their observations for what needs to be done.
Prefacing these stories will be the societal context within which the readers should associate each chronicle. Fresh Tracks offers lessons on individual survival and provides a recipe for further societal changes to pave the way for next generation. Each chapter will include a list of recommendations which the public and private sectors can make so Japan can further facilitate the rise of women in the working world.
Key takeaways:
Prologue
Chapter 1: Levity
Yuki Shingu makes a brilliant come-back to IT career after nursing care leave
Japan – almost silent over #MeToo
Why having women at the top is not enough
Chapter 2: Independence
Makiko Nakamori approaches corporate governance with resolve
Gender diversity in Japan Inc. must blast past tokenism
Women must learn to harness the power of networking
Chapter 3: Purpose
Mami Kataoka believes in the power of art to change the world
Every day is International Men's Day in Japan
Companies must face up to the downsides of workplace diversity
Chapter 4: Altruism
Ayako Sonoda inherits altruism and entrepreneurism passed from her mother
Let's get real about female equality in corporate Japan
Rolling with the punches hurts Japanese women
Chapter 5: Conviction
Miyuki Suzuki drives change as outsider from within
Meetings with women that 'take too long' are a good thing
Kawaii culture hurts Japanese women in business
Chapter 6: Leadership
Masami Katakura realizes her leadership potential with help from mentor
Former princess Mako's marriage holds a mirror to Japan
Japan's language gender divide hurts women at work
Chapter 7: Growth
Ryoko Nagata stays clear of cigarettes in a tobacco company
Japan must break the glass fence keeping mothers at home
Japanese companies must capitalize on gender gap disclosure rule
Chapter 8: Curiosity
Noriko Osumi normalizes women in science
Japan needs more STEM research, not tours, to revive innovation
Women can help revive innovation for Japan Inc.
Chapter 9: Ambition
Yumi Narushima returns to Benesse after running a girls’ school
Japan must reform its antiquated marriage laws
Japan's 'Miss Contests' reflect society's high demands on women
Chapter 10: Competence
Masae Yamanaka builds career in sales traversing four companies
C-suite the last frontier for foreigners eyeing Japan Inc.
Can Japan have prosperity without growth?
Chapter 11: Homecoming
Chikako Matsumoto, World Bank alum, thrives at Japanese trust bank
Japanese companies can no longer expect lifetime loyalty from workers
Gender equity is coming to Japan's workplaces
Chapter 12: Resilience
Yasuko Gotoh breaks ground for women career bureaucrats
Japanese businesswomen need more than a place at the table
Employers should encourage risk-taking to beat impostor syndrome
Acknowledgements
The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.
The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.
Need Help? Copyright © 1999-2026
