A modern society and the world's third largest economy, Japan is loathe to shed some of its prejudices, particularly gender-related ones. Japan greets first-time visitors with mixed signals. You are overwhelmed at their politeness and courtesy, punctuality and efficiency. The country exudes an aura of opulence and confidence; the place is spanking clean and the infrastructure extremely impressive. But it is not as though the country isn't grappling with problems of its own. […] With one of the highest lifespans in the world — 86 years for women and 81 for men — Japan has been grappling with an aging and greying population. There have been projections that by 2055, Japan's population of 128 million will shrink to 90 million. […]
[The] dignified, calm and stoic manner in which the Japanese society responded to the unprecedented trauma and damage caused by last year's earthquake and tsunami, displayed to the entire world the innate strength of the Japanese people. A very polite society, it is common for those visiting Japan to hear ordinary Japanese thanking the rest of the world “for very kindly coming to our rescue through aid; we really appreciate it.” But, then, the Japanese way of life and adherence to their tradition and values are legend. […]
But, then, traditional values are not always good or desirable. In a world where women are disadvantaged to begin with, Japanese women have been treated even more shabbily from historic times. It is well known that even though women's numbers at the workplace are improving, they are yet to be given their due place both at the workplace and home. I asked Sumiyo, if even today, Japanese women workers of equal seniority compared with their male colleagues were expected to pour out tea for the men. She smiled and neatly ducked the question by saying: “These days we have vending machines in offices, so that question does not arise!”
But I did notice one thing, and sincerely hope it has nothing to do with all our meals in Japan, as we were served at Indian restaurants for the first three days: there was no attempt to serve the women first in our 14-member group; invariably, they were the last to be served!
Perhaps, the biggest and most heated debate on the gender front in Japan pertains to the immense pressure that was put on Crown Princess Masako to bear a son, because only a male member of the royal family can inherit the throne. In 2001, when after one miscarriage, when she gave birth to a daughter, there was a glimmer of hope that this law would be changed and, in 2005, a five-member government-appointed panel recommended that it was time to do so. But in September 2006, when the Crown Prince's younger brother's wife, Princess Akishino, gave birth to a son, this debate was conveniently shelved as the imperial household got a male heir!
But what the immense pressure on Princess Masako to bear a male heir did to the health and psyche of this very talented and accomplished Harvard graduate and former diplomat, is not a tale any Japanese or, for that matter, any woman, would be proud of. For several years, she has reportedly suffered from ill health and depression and stopped making public appearances. On the one hand, you have such glaring examples and, on the other, you notice how tech-savvy the Japanese society has become. […]
My takeaway from Japan will be its people's amazingly polite and helpful nature — seek directions on the road from a Japanese and he will walk along to show you the way — their discipline and efficiency. A modern society and the world's third largest economy.. and yet loathe to shed some of its prejudices, particularly gender-related ones.
