Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • February 2017 (Revised January 2018)
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Womenomics in Japan

By: Boris Groysberg, Mayuka Yamazaki, Nobuo Sato and David Lane
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:34
ShareBar

Abstract

This case profiles Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's vigorous attempts to revive Japan's economy, specifically by advocating for a larger role for women in the economy—not as a matter of social policy or gender equity per se, but as an essential element of any solution to Japan's persistent low economic growth. Several decades of economic stagnation led Abe to spearhead a multi-faceted reform effort to shake off deflation and come to grips with Japan's large national debt and rapidly aging society. "Womenomics"—the promotion of economic empowerment for women—has been a key element of this effort. Since taking office in late 2012, Abe has advocated for women in myriad ways: through sustained rhetoric at home and abroad, by naming women to key cabinet and party positions, and by setting ambitious numerical targets for expanding their professional ranks. To support these efforts at effecting institutional change, Abe also has overseen rapid growth in daycare facilities for the children of working mothers and has worked intensively to encourage Japan's business associations to increase hiring, promoting, and empowering women among member firms. At issue is how effective such measures have been and whether they can successfully be sustained.

Keywords

Gender Equality; Japan; Leadership; Government-business Relations; Shinzo Abe; Economic Growth; Aging Society; Womenomics; Abenomics; Labor Market Discrimination; Workplace Culture; Women And Leadership; Change Management; Leading Change; Gender; Business and Government Relations; Growth and Development; Employment; Working Conditions

Citation

Groysberg, Boris, Mayuka Yamazaki, Nobuo Sato, and David Lane. "Womenomics in Japan." Harvard Business School Case 417-002, February 2017. (Revised January 2018.)
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

Boris Groysberg

Organizational Behavior
→More Publications

Related Work

    • January 2018 (Revised June 2018)
    • Faculty Research

    Womenomics in Japan

    By: Boris Groysberg and David Lane
    • February 2017 (Revised January 2018)
    • Faculty Research

    Womenomics in Japan

    By: Boris Groysberg, Mayuka Yamazaki, Nobuo Sato and David Lane
    • May 2018
    • Faculty Research

    Prime Minister Shinzo Abe – Speech on Womenomics in Japan: Opening Address to the World Assembly of Women, Tokyo, August 28, 2015

    By: Boris Groysberg
    • May 2018
    • Faculty Research

    Abe on Womenomics, part 1: Introductions & Japan's Corporate Culture: Excerpt from Opening Address to the World Assembly of Women, Tokyo, August 28, 2015

    By: Boris Groysberg
    • May 2018
    • Faculty Research

    Abe on Womenomics, part 2: Women as Leaders – Policies & Exemplars: Excerpt from Opening Address to the World Assembly of Women, Tokyo, August 28, 2015

    By: Boris Groysberg
    • May 2018
    • Faculty Research

    Abe on Womenomics, part 3: International Efforts & Conclusions: Excerpt from Opening Address to the World Assembly of Women, Tokyo, August 28, 2015

    By: Boris Groysberg
Related Work
  • Womenomics in Japan By: Boris Groysberg and David Lane
  • Womenomics in Japan By: Boris Groysberg, Mayuka Yamazaki, Nobuo Sato and David Lane
  • Prime Minister Shinzo Abe – Speech on Womenomics in Japan: Opening Address to the World Assembly of Women, Tokyo, August 28, 2015 By: Boris Groysberg
  • Abe on Womenomics, part 1: Introductions & Japan's Corporate Culture: Excerpt from Opening Address to the World Assembly of Women, Tokyo, August 28, 2015 By: Boris Groysberg
  • Abe on Womenomics, part 2: Women as Leaders – Policies & Exemplars: Excerpt from Opening Address to the World Assembly of Women, Tokyo, August 28, 2015 By: Boris Groysberg
  • Abe on Womenomics, part 3: International Efforts & Conclusions: Excerpt from Opening Address to the World Assembly of Women, Tokyo, August 28, 2015 By: Boris Groysberg
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College