While women in Japan were recognized as having equal legal rights to men after World War II, economic conditions for women remain unbalanced.[3] Modern policy initiatives to encourage motherhood and workplace participation have had mixed results.[4]
While a high percentage of Japanese women are college graduates, making up 77% of the part-time work force,[5] they typically earn 27% less than their male counterparts.[6] Traditional expectations for married women and mothers are cited as a barrier to full economic equality.[7] The monarchy is strictly males-only and a princess has to give up her royal status when she marries a commoner.