Half Of Female Japanese Workers Think Work Hampers Married Life

According to a survey of women registered with a Tokyo-based temporary staffing agency, around 50% of women believe work gets in the way of married life, highlighting the difficulties women face in balancing work and family in Japan, Mainichi Japan reported.

Photo Insert: 37.7 percent of women "somewhat think" that work becomes a hindrance to marriage, with an additional 10.9 percent saying they "strongly feel so."

According to the survey by b-style holdings Inc.'s research arm, 37.7 percent of women "somewhat think" that work becomes a hindrance to marriage, with an additional 10.9 percent saying they "strongly feel so."

In contrast, 32.8 percent of women said they "do not really think" work is a barrier to marriage, and 14.6 percent said they "do not think so at all." Four percent said they were unsure.

The survey, which took place from May 11 to 18, was based on responses to a questionnaire given to 549 married or previously married women. When asked how their husband's understanding of their work affects their happiness, 67.4 percent said it "increases with such understanding and decreases without it."

Following that, 20.4 percent believe their happiness "doesn't change even if there is understanding, but their happiness decreases without one."

One respondent, a temporary employee in her forties, explained that while a woman can handle marriage and work, it becomes more difficult once a child is born. "Women need some kind of support."

A worker in her fifties emphasized the significance of the husband comprehending his wife's situation. "A woman cannot make both work and marriage work without her family's understanding or cooperation."

According to Keitaro Kawakami, an adviser at the research institute, one of the most important factors influencing marital happiness is how much the husband listens to his wife's wishes regarding work.

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