(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Japanese men and women hold differing views on what they treasure most, according to a poll by the Cabinet Office. 40.2 per cent of male respondents choose work as their top priority in their daily lives, while only 17.3 per cent of female respondents concur.

Conversely, 43.9 per cent of women say family life is most important, while just 18.5 per cent of men think the same way.

Many analysts believe Japan’s labour market makes it difficult for women to keep a job while having a family. Child care facilities in Japan are scarce, only one third of eligible children go to kindergarten, and most women stop working once they become mothers. Less than 10 per cent of professional managers in Japanese companies are women.

During the tenure of Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi—from 2001 to 2006—the government introduced a series of incentives for young families to have children. Demographic projections suggest that by 2025, Japan will have one person over the age of 65 for every two who are working.

Last month, Yasuo Fukuda—a 71-year-old moderate who favours closer ties with Asia—was elected as the new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and officially sworn in as Japan’s prime minister, substituting Shinzo Abe. Fukuda served as chief cabinet secretary during the premierships of Yoshiro Mori and Koizumi. He is also the son of former Japanese head of government Takeo Fukuda.

During his campaign for the governing party’s leadership, Fukuda expressed his will to amend the succession law and allow a female monarch. Fukuda said Japan "should not leave untouched" this controversial subject.

A law in place since 1947 allows only men to ascend the throne, but Japan has had eight empresses, the last in the 18th Century.

Polling Data

What is the top priority in your daily life?

Source: Cabinet Office
Methodology: Interviews with 3,118 Japanese adults, conducted in July and August 2007. No margin of error was provided.

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