What Has the Abe Government Achieved for Women? Womenomics and Women's Rights

Session Submission Type: Organized Panel Proposal Application

Abstract

Prime Minister Abe has received international attention for his Womenomics agenda, which sets bold targets to increase the numbers of women in the labor force and government. The hope is by tapping into Japan’s “most underutilized resource” – women – the country can boost productivity, economic growth, and the birthrate. But what substantive policy changes have come out of this political rhetoric, and how likely are they to advance the cause of gender equality in Japan? Our panel tries to answer these questions by placing Womenomics in greater historical and political context. By analyzing concrete policy changes affecting women over time, we can better assess what Abe and Womenomics have achieved for Japan’s women.

Jiyeoun Song focuses on changes in corporate practices during the Abe administration, and the evolution of the government’s work-family balance policies. Liv Coleman explores the tension between the Womenomics agenda and Abe’s long-term push to recreate “traditional” Japanese families. Linda Hasunuma shows how political reforms centralized policy leadership on gender equality and influence the current Womenomics agenda. Kuniaki Nemoto also links changes in the political environment to changes in domestic violence legislation.

This panel debates the challenges and opportunities Japanese women face in securing greater rights, representation, and equality; and places Womenomics within the greater discourse about motherhood and family. Our discussants include Barbara Molony, a historian of modern Japan and gender studies, and Leonard Schoppa, a leading authority on Japanese politics. The diverse membership of our panel and discussants help frame this discussion from multiple disciplinary perspectives.

Area of Study

• Japan

Session Organizer

• Linda Hasunuma, Franklin and Marshall College

Chair

• Leonard Schoppa, University of Virginia

Individual Presentations

• Boosting Female Employment As the Institutional Pillar of the Third Arrow of Abenomics - Jiyeoun Song, Seoul National University

• Womenomics or Home Economics? Evaluating the Abe Adminisration's Work-Family Priorities - Liv Coleman, University of Tampa

• Womenomics and Japan's Gender Equality Institutions - Linda Hasunuma, Franklin and Marshall College

• Civil Activism, Institutional Reform, and Gender Legislation: How Domestic Violence Prevention Acts Came about in Japan - Kuniaki Nemoto, Waseda University

Discussant

• Barbara Molony, Santa Clara University