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Thick Glass Ceiling : Japanese Women Candidates Less Likely for Local Council Elections

  • JAPAN SPACE
  • 2024, (35), pp.41-71
  • Publisher : The Institute of Japanese Studies
  • Research Area : Social Science > Area Studies
  • Received : May 21, 2024
  • Accepted : May 29, 2024
  • Published : June 30, 2024

엔도 유야 1 고선규 2 Kawamura Kazunori 3

1오사카대학교
2후쿠시마학원대학교
3

Accredited

ABSTRACT

In Japan, the shortage of local politicians has become a nationwide issue. To address this problem, appointing individuals from demographics that have not traditionally pursued political careers could be considered. However, it is rare for current politicians to designate women as their successors. To investigate whether there is gender discrimination in the selection of successors, we conducted a survey targeting local politicians in Japan. We surveyed local Japanese councilors to examine the factors that led them to nominate successors. The results revealed that Japanese local councilors tended to have a positive attitude toward nominating women as successors. However, they also believed that this would not be acceptable to their supporters. This study suggests that Japanese local councilors do not inherently discriminate against women, but refrain from nominating them for other reasons. Our findings revealed that Japanese local politicians have a positive attitude towards appointing women as their successors. At the same time, these politicians perceive that their supporters are reluctant to accept women in these roles. This study suggests that Japanese local politicians do not personally discriminate against women but refrain from appointing them due to perceived resistance from their supporters.

Citation status

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