The mother of two teenage daughters expected a few weeks of belt tightening, believing it wouldn’t be long before she was working again. Although the number of women in the workforce has risen sharply in recent years, many work in dining, entertainment, retail, hospitality and other low-paid, non-regular jobs that now comprise about 40% of Japan’s labour market. While male suicides fell by 1% in 2020, they rose 14.5% among women, according to the health ministry. “For single people the pandemic has been even more isolating, and many have taken a big hit in wages because so many of them are in low-paid, non-regular jobs,” said Osawa. My daughters are growing up and becoming independent, but I know women with young children who are having a terrible time.

Source: The Guardian March 29, 2021 03:22 UTC