3 Things Japanese Women Need to Balance Families and Careers

Japan needs women in the workplace, especially with the population declining, the growth of the global economy and more demand for Japanese goods.

There are three things that Japanese women need that would help them become contributing members of the work place and balance their careers with family responsiibilities.

1. The Internet and know how to navigate through it….a laptop, news on the cell phone, audio books on an MP3 player…that sort of thing.

2. Merit based pay – if the women can get the work done (and they often can) in less time than the men then all the better. If they get paid by the job and not by the time they spend at work or with colleagues…better yet. Foreign firms are more receptive, flexible and attractive to working moms.

3. Husbands who pitch in – the salaryman culture insuates that the workplace is for men. Just 0.5% of men take paternity leave, far short of Tokyo's 10% goal.

If woman can learn to use the technology that is available, get paid by the job and find a husband to pitch in a LOT more…Japan will find the help the country needs in the work place….and they will get a lot more done a lot faster, too.

What do you think?