Workplace Gender Disparity in Japan from Marxist Feminism: Long Working Hours and Female Workers' Oppression

Japan is consecutively regarded as a country with low gender equality and low women participation in the workplace. Even though the Japanese government has strived to tackle this issue for over three decades, Japan has still not been able to shake off the unequal treatment of gender. Gender inequality is often attributed to Japan's entrenched and outdated cultural beliefs. Are there any other reasons that can account for this phenomenon? In the study, the theory of Marxist Feminism, a multi-angle theory addressing gender inequality, will be applied to investigate the reasons behind women's discrimination. In addition, real examples and data in Japan's finance industry will be introduced to exemplify. The study aims to offer the conclusion that the intersection of capitalism and patriarchy is one primary reason for Japan's gender disparity. The combined influence of capitalism and patriarchy resulted in occupational segregation among men and women, with fewer women in managerial positions and more women being employed as part-time workers. It also incurred a significant wage gap by gender in the same industry. The findings in this study can help provide references for companies and the government when implementing effective countermeasures. The study shows that it is an imperative necessity for policymakers and leaders in companies to change the long-lasting overwork culture in Japan's workplace and reduce gender occupational segregation and wage gap, creating a genderless and harmonious workplace.