The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of junior female academics (JFAs) in Japan, with a particular focus on those academics who are in the first stage of their academic career at university. The concepts of productivity and competition are important issues for a successful academic career and will guarantee competition in higher education institutions in a neoliberal policy context. However, diversity and inclusiveness are also critical. This study assesses the experiences of JFAs as they comprise one of the minor groups of academia, and national and institutional policies have clear limitations in terms of their treatment.

Introduction

Gender inequality and low representation of females in the political and industrial world is a longstanding social issue in Japan. The situation in the academic world is no exception. Attempts have been made to encourage females to pursue an academic career path; however, the percentage of female academics is still one of the lowest among OECD countries. Studies suggest that more investigations are needed to understand how values, attitudes toward life, and beliefs in a patriarchal and male-centered society affect how females navigate their careers in Japan. Although it has been difficult to make immediate changes, a shift can now be seen because of policy interventions and individuals who feel the need for change. In particular, junior female academics who have a strong background in autonomous research with diverse international and professional experience could be a key group in terms of suggesting further changes and innovations in academia.

While efforts have been made to increase the number of female researchers in all disciplinary fields, the changes within and surrounding higher education institutions are creating the university as a competitive workplace with new metrics to monitor performances at both individual, departmental, or institutional levels. Individual academics, especially junior academics and graduate students wishing to enter the academic career path, are striving to survive the competition to finally land a full-time tenured position. The question is what kind of working conditions those seemingly opposite directional policies are creating and how female academics are navigating their careers.

Seven JFAs in the field of social sciences were interviewed using semi-structured questions.