A groundbreaking all-gender restroom was removed from Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, an entertainment complex in Shinjuku, Tokyo, in July 2023, only four months after the opening, in the wake of criticism. Has Tokyo moved one step away from queer urbanism...
The number of working women in Japan reached a record high of 30 million in 2022, but it is still second last among developed countries after South Korea. Moreover, half of these women are employed on a part-time basis. There is still a conventional...
A recent survey has cast a spotlight on Japan’s nuanced perspectives on gender inequality. Spanning 33 countries and encompassing over 26,259 participants, the study aimed to decipher global sentiments on equality issues. Distilling the...
Giving birth remains expensive in Japan. Pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum costs are not covered by health insurance, and parents have to pay up to approximately 520,000 yen ($ 5,000 USD) on average unless complications warrant medical...
More couples are forgoing the traditional customs The Japanese wedding ceremonies and reception parties have had numerous elements reflecting gender roles and expectations for centuries, and they still do. For years and years, brides have been...
In this [Women of impact] series, Zenbird features outstanding women who strive to make social-good changes in Japan. The severe lack of female leaders hinders Japan in achieving gender equality. We aim to support bridging the gender gap by sharing...
“Womanhood in Japan” series column rounds up Japanese news related to women’s daily experiences of sexism here and considers what we can do to increase the pace of change. Japan falls further on Global Gender Gap Index On June 20, the World Economic...
There are as many forms of love as there are people. More and more musicians are starting to release love songs that break free from traditional notions, coinciding with an increase in awareness of LGBTQ+ identities. Here is my J-Pop playlist that...
This column rounds up Japanese news related to women’s daily experiences of sexism here and considers what we can do to increase the pace of change. Local elections mark a turning point in female representation in politics Evidence that Japan is...
A special drama “Mr. Period and His Daughter (original title: “Seiri no Ojisan to Sono Musume”) was aired by NHK, a Japanese public broadcaster. This drama is heartwarming yet groundbreaking in terms of making menstruation open to any gender and any...