| Summary: | This article aims to review the employment conditions of women in Japan according to four components: the historical background —from the construction of the traditional family and the role of women in it—, the institutional design —in accordance with the residual welfare state called “familism”—, the demographic conjuncture —implying a low birth rate—, and the legal framework—formed by ineffective and incoercible rules. After the review, it will be argued that changes in legislation and public policies to achieve labor equality in Japan are, and will remain, insufficient if they do not consider the four components as a whole. Finally, some solution prospects and possible scenarios for the near future will be outlined.
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