Closing the Gap? Trends in the Gender Gap in Adolescents’ Expected Occupational Status in Japan, 2015–2022

Speaker

Prof. Dr. Soo-yong Byun (The Pennsylvania State University)

Date and Time

June 25, 2026, 3 pm - 4.30 pm

Venue

Zürichbergstrasse 4, 8032 Zurich, Room ZUB-314, and zoom (please consult the flyer (PDF, 570 KB) for the link)

Abstract

In many countries around the world, girls now aspire to higher-status occupations than boys. However, Japan has been an exception to this trend. This study examined how the gender gap in adolescents’ expected occupational status—historically favoring boys—had changed in Japan in recent years, using data from the 2015, 2018, and 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The results showed that this gender gap has significantly narrowed over the past few years, but it remained statistically significant through 2022 when taking other variables into account. This finding suggests that Japan has not yet fully aligned with the broader global trend toward greater gender parity in expected occupational status. We discuss the Japanese context that may explain both the narrowing of this gap and its continued persistence.

Organization: Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies - Japanese Studies