Gender Inequality and Rural Depopulation in Japan
Akita Prefecture in Japan faces significant demographic challenges, including the most aged population, the lowest birthrate, and the fastest declining population.
Young women are leaving rural areas in search of better opportunities, driven by rigid gender roles that limit their choices. This trend is part of a global phenomenon where people are making different decisions about their lives, leading to fewer children.
NPR's series Population Shift: How Smaller Families Are Changing the World explores the causes and implications of this trend.
In Akita Prefecture, traditional festivals like kanto showcase the region's unique culture, where men balance heavy bamboo poles with candlelit paper lanterns. However, this tradition also highlights the rigid gender roles, as only men are allowed to touch the poles.
Young men in traditional festival clothes balance heavy bamboo poles up to 40 feet high on their heads, hands, hips and shoulders.
Author's summary: Japan's rural depopulation is accelerated by gender inequality.