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A recent survey in Japan found that 74% of degree-holding Japanese women voluntarily quit their careers. This is a significant 28% more than American women. Many people believe that Japanese women leave for traditional reasons such as childcare.  However, the survey found that the great majority of Japanese women leave because their careers are stalled.  

Blocking women from being a significant part of the work force is keeping Japan from greater growth.  This holds especially true with Japan’s declining and rapidly aging population.  Studies have shown that getting more women into the work force could increase Japan’s GDP by up to 5%.

There are many reasons why Japanese women find their jobs unrewarding enough to quit. Women are often prevented from entering managerial positions, and are often passed up for promotion, even when they are performing the same or better as men.  Only 10.5% of managerial positions are held by women.  Japanese women also face difficulties re-entering the work force after leaving to have children. Only 43% of job-seeking women who left to have children are offered jobs upon return and usually at deep pay cuts. Work hours are also extremely inflexible, making it difficult for Japanese women to work and take care of their children. 

Ultimately, these obstructions from rewarding careers have made Japanese women turn to U.S. or European firms for jobs. Over 68% of ambitious and career-minded women believe that foreign companies are more female friendly and flexible than Japanese companies.  As top talent seems to be harder and harder to find in Japan, Japanese women are a great untapped source.