書評◆ 書評 ◆

Masako Ishii-Kuntz, Guro Korsnes Kristensen and Priscilla Ringrose, eds.

Comparative Perspectives on Gender Equality in Japan
and Norway: Same but Different?

（Routledge 2021, ISBN 978-1-032-02779-1 [hbk], £ 120,00）

Yuko Onozaka（UiS Business School, University of Stavanger）
Scandinavian countries are the champions

equality occurs, from the perspectivesof gender equality, whereas Japan isof family and home (Part I), education

substantially lagging. This is a generally(Part II), media (Part III), sexuality andaccepted perception supported by statisticsreproduction (Part IV), and by the dialog

and international rankings. Nevertheless,between two gender scholars (Part V). It

this book begins by highlighting theis presented as an anthology, the fruit ofcommonalities shared by Japan and Norway:

an ambitious collaboration project among

both countries possessed similarly traditional

16 gender studies scholars in Norway andgender norms and division of household

Japan. The authors synthesized the insights

tasks, and many pivotal moments that shaped

from both countries and across themes,

women’s social standing in each country

thereby providing a convincing picture of theoccurred simultaneously. So, why are they

commonalities and differences between theso different today? Do they still share any

two nations.

commonalities? This book endeavors toanalyze these intriguing questions.

If one looks back into the late 19th century,
women’s primary roles were homemakers in

Surely, a country’s state of genderboth countries. Following the second world

equality is influenced by the larger societal,

war and through the waves of modernization

economic, and cultural contexts. The bookand economic growth, gender equal

provides interesting insights through deepeducation was envisioned in both countries

comparisons between the two countries,(Ch. 4) as gender equality was presented

emphasizing both the processes andas an important policy agenda. Then, bothmanifestations through which gender (in)countries experienced the second wave

252

DOI：10.24567/0002000566

ジェンダー研究第 25 号

2022 年

feminist movement in the 1970s (Ch. 1) andthe promotion of female scholars (Ch. 7).

increased female labor force participation

However, a more fundamental difference isthrough the 1980s (Ch. 4). In the 1990s,

the perception of gender quality in society

fathers’ participation in childrearing became(Conclusion section). In Norway, gender

an important issue, and paternity leaveequality is considered a human right, while

policies were developed throughout this

it is an “issue to be discussed” in Japan. The

decade (Ch. 3). However, both countries

importance of gender equality is undisputed

have experienced a generally declining

in Norway, meaning that society andfertility rate since the 1960s (Ch. 11).

policymakers can focus on how to achieve

Issues surrounding sexuality (Ch. 10) andit. In contrast, Japanese people are still

reproductive rights (Ch. 12) are relatively

culturally more adherent to traditional gendernew, so the current states are similar.

roles (Ch. 2) and seem unable to reach a

Likewise, no systematic country differences

consensus on action.

are found regarding the introduction andAs a Japanese woman living in Norway

discussion of feminist values in higher

and working as a scholar and an educatoreducation, primarily due to the lack ofin a Norwegian university, I read this book

accepted pedagogical practices (Ch. 6).

with great interest. Japanese people often

Despite these similarities within theautomatically assume that Scandinavian

dynamic societal changes, the two countries

countries have always been gender equal.

are currently observed in substantiallyThis book shows that it is not so—Norway

divergent states of gender equality. In

became a gender equal nation throughNorway, women are better educated with

political will and social changes. There area higher labor force participation (Ch. 4),

glimpses of changes in modern masculinity

a higher ratio of women in higher-status

and increased childcare participation amongpositions (professors, Ch. 7), and a more

fathers in Japan that could positively

equal division of household work (Ch.

influence gender equality. In addition, the2 and Ch. 5) than in Japan. So why arebook provides a more nuanced picture ofthere differences? There are clearly direct

gender equality in Norway, where men andand substantial influences from the policy

women still behave differently regarding theinstruments implemented to achieve genderchoice of study fields, occupations, work

equality, such as paternity leave (Ch. 3)

hours, and division of chores. They are also

and comprehensive measures to support

not free of time-bind, despite the generally

253書評

shorter work hours.

of the strong egalitarian belief embedded in

Although the book discusses gender

Norwegian society on its implementation ofequality from diverse perspectives, it focuses

gender equality compared to the patriarchal

on the domains of home/family and school.

and hierarchal Japanese society.

Consequently, it lacks a thorough discussion

In conclusion, this book provides valuablesurrounding the workplace. I believe thatknowledge and insights toward a better

including perspectives from economics,understanding of the background andmanagement, and leadership literature canprocesses of achieving gender equality forenrich the discussion. For example, Norway

scholars, practitioners, and readers interested

was the first to implement the mandatory

in gender equality in Norway, Japan, andgender quota on corporate boards. It wouldbeyond.

also be interesting to understand the influence254