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Plummeting birth rates and an ageing population have long been highlighted as existential threats to the Japanese labour market. By 2040, demographers suggest the country’s workforce will be short by at least 11 million people – that’s a hole the size of the population of the Paris metro area.
The third crucial pressure point is Japan’s woeful record on gender equality. It sits near the bottom not just in G7 rankings, but globally. Sarah Parsons notes that only a profound cultural shift that challenges the way gender norms are taught from early childhood, and heeds what young people want, will shift this imbalance and see the Japanese economy reap the benefits.
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Sarah Parsons, SOAS, University of London
In the Japanese workplace, women face discrimination, restrictive behaviour and appearance codes and a lower glass ceiling than elsewhere. Only a profound cultural shift will change that.
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Fiona Crawford, Queensland University of Technology
We’re experiencing a great sporting and cultural moment. But the Women’s World Cup needs to be more than a four-week football festival.
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Simin Fadaee, University of Manchester
After seven decades of oppression, Iranians yearn for democracy and are willing to risk their lives to win it.
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Deborah Lancastle, University of South Wales
Tracking the many physical and emotional symptoms of menopause with a website, app or diary can help women better monitor their health.
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Hannah Dahlen, Western Sydney University
Crying triggers changes in how a newborn baby gets their oxygen. But not all new babies cry, and it’s not always a problem.
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Hazel Cameron, University of Stirling
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has not faced official investigation or prosecution over his role in Operation Gukurahundi – 40 years on.
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Andrew Weaver, University of Victoria
The devastating wildfire that destroyed the historic Maui town of Lahaina was still making headlines when Yellowknife issued an evacuation order.
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Carlos García Rivero, Universitat de València
Citizen expectations of governments are not being met by most elected leaders.
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Nicholas Grondin, University of Tampa
Forecasters warned of ‘potentially historic rainfall’ and ‘dangerous to locally catastrophic flooding.’ A hurricane scientist explains what El Niño, a heat dome and mountains have to do with the risk.
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