Tokyo: Japanese companies are moving to enhance female workers’ motivation to work, aiming to close gender gaps and rejuvenate workplaces.

Shorter working hours and other systems designed to help female workers appear not to be enough, with a dearth of worthwhile jobs discouraging women from pursuing higher-paying managerial positions.

With this year’s International Women’s Day on Wednesday, Japan cannot afford to put off measures, as it ranks low among developing countries in international comparisons of gender gaps.

In the 2023 list of best workplaces for women compiled by Great Place to Work Institute Japan, the Leverages group, which provides temporary personnel services, ranked first among large firms in Japan.

The group holds project competitions across departments in which newcomers can participate, and has a scheme that allows junior employees to consult with seniors in a relaxed manner. Such measures are said to encourage female workers to return to work after childbirth, for the reason that they like their jobs.

The group has a “clear policy of duly treating all employees in terms of recruitment, training, placement and assessment, regardless of age, gender and other factors,” according to GPTW Japan.

An in-house survey conducted by job information provider Recruit Co. found that non-managerial female employees in their 30s are less likely than their male counterparts to believe they are using their strengths in the workplace.

The survey results prompted the company to hold a career seminar to help employees become more self-reliant.

Among those who attended the seminar, the percentage of those considering trying to gain a managerial position increased from 60 pct to 84 pct after the seminar.

Central Japan Railway Co, or JR Tokai, offers mid-career female workers opportunities to interact with employees with childbirth experience and women working in different industries, hoping to help them get a concrete vision of their future careers.

Companies have also started programs for physical problems specific to women, such as disorders related to menstruation and menopause.

Suntory Holdings Ltd. appointed renowned obstetrician and gynecologist Miho Takao as an adviser to provide information for female employees.

A scheme that allows employees to consult directly with Takao has been received well, according to the company.

“Enabling women to develop their careers autonomously will be a key to job satisfaction,” says Waseda University Prof. Hideo Owan, a specialist in human capital management.

To close gender gaps, Owan urges companies to eliminate the prejudice that women are unable to work long hours and to encourage male employees to take parental leave.

JIJI Press