Japan"s female CEOs: only 13 among 1,600 top firms

A recent survey by Kyodo news agency revealed that only 13 women serve as chief executive officers among the 1,643 firms listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's prime market, representing a mere 0.8%. This statistic highlights the ongoing struggle for gender diversity in Japan's corporate sector, despite government efforts to increase female representation in executive roles. The government aims for women to hold at least 30% of such positions by the end of the decade, but current figures indicate significant challenges ahead. The survey also noted that women occupy only 15.5% of executive positions in Japan, a stark contrast to countries like Britain and France, where the figures are significantly higher at 40.9% and 45.2%, respectively. Japan's performance in international gender comparisons remains poor, with only China and South Korea having lower proportions of female executives. This situation reflects a broader cultural and structural issue within Japanese society that hinders women's advancement in leadership roles. Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments. The number of female board members has increased to over 3,000, doubling in the past five years. Notable appointments include Mitsuko Tottori as the first female president of Japan Airlines and Naomi Unemoto as the first female prosecutor-general. These milestones indicate a gradual shift towards greater female representation in leadership positions. The potential candidacy of Sanae Takaichi for the leadership of the governing Liberal Democratic Party raises hopes for Japan's first female prime minister. However, her conservative views may limit her appeal among certain voter demographics, illustrating the complexities of gender and politics in Japan's current landscape.