Elderly women are also among the most vulnerable. An estimated 44.1 percent of single Japanese women aged 65 and older are living in poverty. 8 Often widowed or divorced, they face a cycle of poverty compounded by limited access to livable wages, affordable housing, education, and food. These systemic challenges create a precarious existence for women who must fend for themselves in the absence of robust social support systems. Addressing gender equity is complex, and solving it requires more than individual initiatives. It requires a coordinated, systems-change approach that engages every part of society—businesses, investors, and government alike. Provocations n What competitive advantages do women offer as leaders? n How does Japan’s Impact Economy sector address the root causes of gender inequity, rather than focusing solely on incremental improvements? n What systemic barriers might Japan’s organizations face in promoting women to high-impact roles, and how can impact investors and organizations help dismantle these barriers? Wicked Problems The depth of gender inequality in Japan becomes even more evident in the annual Global Gender Gap Index published by the World Economic Forum. In the 2024 edition, Japan—despite being the world’s fourth-largest economy—ranks 118th out of 146 countries for gender parity. 9 Although Japan has increased its rankings from the previous year, the country is still one of the lowest globally for gender parity. 10 A deeper look into the metrics reveals another stark contrast: while Japan ranks highly in education and health, it lags significantly in economic opportunity and political empowerment (see Figure A). Japan’s gender parity in political empowerment is low, ranking 113th, and falling behind countries like China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. 11
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Ten Years in the Making
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