The plight of Japan’s working women has improved dramatically over the past two decades. Maternity leave has become the norm, slots at nurseries have increased by more than 340,000 and the percentage of female executives or women serving as department chiefs at companies has tripled.

Source: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/07/31/national/social-issues/changing-culture-long-working-hours-key-increasing-japans-female-workforce/#.VbuCXTCqqkq