Work and Private Life of University Professors in Japan and Positive Action Taken By Japanese Universities

This presentation will examine the work and private life situations of female and male university professors in Japan, and offers some examples of positive or affirmative action taken by Japanese universities and discuss its effectiveness.

    In Japan, the ratio of female researchers is low, as is the case of other countries. In 2011, just 13.6% of university professors (full professor, associate professor, lecturer, assistant professor) were female. From around 2006, the Japanese government started a positive action policy to increase the ratio of women. The government grants subsidies to offer about 10 universities each year for three years. The universities offer support centers for women, gender equal office, childcare centers and so on.

    The presenter has worked in one of the gender equal offices as a staff member. My observation there and a questionnaire research for university professors are the main data source of the presentation. First, the presenter will discuss their work and private life situations. Many researchers have shown that male productivity tends to be higher than that of females. However, the results show gender does not explain scientific productivity when we control other variables. Next, they have specific marriage patterns. For example, many female professors tend to be single or have partners who are professors. Many couples live separately. However, women tend to shoulder domestic work and child rearing, as is the case with other occupations.

    In this situation, many universities have set the goals of numbers or ratio of women and introduced many types of positive action. The presenter will show examples of them and discuss effective ways to support both sex and foster gender equality in universities.