Gender equality and progress of gender studies in Japanese geography: a critical overview

Abstract

This paper examines gender equality in Japanese academic geography and provides an overview of gender studies undertaken in the discipline. First, I point out the serious gender imbalance which exists in Japanese geography, through an examination of data on gender participation in academic societies, publications and faculty promotions. Secondly, I provide an overview of geographical research on gender in Japan. Thirdly, I point out as major issues concerning gender studies in Japanese geography that the Japanese male geographer tends to misunderstand gender and ignore sexuality. In conclusion, I suggest that Japanese male geographers need to realize that gender is their own issue and that there is a need to conduct men's studies in Japanese geography.