Coping with Low Fertility? Japan’s Government Measures for a Gender Equal Society

Over the last couple of years the Japanese government has implemented measures to deal with the situation of a low fertility society, caused by the continued decrease in the number of birth and changes in marriage behavior. One of the primary policy measures in response to the rapid changes occurring in Japan’s socioeconomic situation is to aim for a gender-equal society. Hence, the Basic Law for a Gender-equal Society was promulgated in 1999, a plan which also called upon local governments to come up with agendas. One of the basic principles that is covered in this law is the “consideration of social systems or practices” that have an impact on how social activities are performed by a person of a specific gender. Another principle is the “compatibility of activities in family life and other activities” that should be promoted, so that women and men can carry out their roles smoothly as household members in home-related activities. Both principles reflect on the demographic problem of fewer children and the growing population of elderly people in Japan. This paper traces the different steps of policy measures for the falling birthrate that have been promoted by the Gender Equality Bureau and the different ways in which the awareness for gender equality has been targeted towards men and masculine corporate structures in particular.