The Burden of Housework and Childcare on Working Women in Japan and Its Impact on Mental Health
Survey results highlighting the significant difficulties working women in Japan face in balancing home and work life are garnering attention. Compared to the situation in other countries around the world, it has become clear that Japanese women tend to bear an extremely heavy burden of housework and childcare, leading to intense stress in their daily lives.
Expert research has shown that working women in Japan find it difficult to balance work and home life, resulting in mental health outcomes that are poor by global standards. It is believed that the pressure to perfectly fulfill both professional responsibilities and domestic roles places an excessive strain on their physical and mental well-being.
It is pointed out that the background to this issue involves traditional gender roles in Japanese society and the workplace environment. In particular, analyses suggest that long working hours and the imbalance in the division of household chores further increase the burden on women.
Moving forward, it is crucial to raise awareness throughout society about sharing housework and childcare, and to establish flexible working environments where everyone can work without undue strain. Creating an environment where not only women, but all family members can cooperate with one another, will be the first step toward resolving this social issue in Japan.