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Beyond Backlash: How Gender Quotas Empower Women and Shape Workplace Attitudes in Japanese Hiring

Author

Listed:
  • Tsuyoshi Nihonsugi

    (Department of Economics, Osaka University of Economics)

  • Yoshio Kamijo

    (Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University)

  • Satoshi Taguchi

    (Graduate School of Commerce, Doshisha University)

  • Shigeharu Okajima

    (Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University)

  • Hiroko Okajima

    (Graduate School of Economics, Nagoya University)

Abstract

This study examines how gender quotas influence job application decisions and occupational choices in Japan, and how these effects vary across individual characteristics. Using a choice-based conjoint experiment with 1,167 participants, we analyze preferences for positions with and without gender quotas across different job types. We find that gender quotas significantly increase women's application likelihood by approximately 10 percentage points, with the strongest effects among high-performing employed women, while not discouraging applications from comparably qualified men. Beyond increasing female representation, quotas enable women to make occupational choices that better align with their preferences and are associated with higher expected productivity and workplace well-being. Further analysis reveals that support for gender quotas relates systematically to personality traits, gender role beliefs, and prior experiences—notably, men who recognize past gender advantages show greater support for quotas. These findings provide actionable insights for designing inclusive recruitment strategies and diversity policies in non-Western contexts, demonstrating that well-designed quotas can promote both equity and efficiency in labor markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Tsuyoshi Nihonsugi & Yoshio Kamijo & Satoshi Taguchi & Shigeharu Okajima & Hiroko Okajima, 2026. "Beyond Backlash: How Gender Quotas Empower Women and Shape Workplace Attitudes in Japanese Hiring," Working Papers 2529, Waseda University, Faculty of Political Science and Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wap:wpaper:2529
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kevin Campbell & Antonio Mínguez-Vera, 2008. "Gender Diversity in the Boardroom and Firm Financial Performance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 83(3), pages 435-451, December.
    2. David A. Matsa & Amalia R. Miller, 2013. "A Female Style in Corporate Leadership? Evidence from Quotas," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 5(3), pages 136-169, July.
    3. De Acutis, Costanza & Weber, Andrea & Wurm, Elisabeth, 2024. "The effects of board gender quotas: A meta-analysis," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    4. Kenneth R. Ahern & Amy K. Dittmar, 2012. "The Changing of the Boards: The Impact on Firm Valuation of Mandated Female Board Representation," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 127(1), pages 137-197.
    5. Helene Maghin, 2022. "Cracks in the Boards: The Opportunity Cost of Governance Homogeneity," CESifo Working Paper Series 9816, CESifo.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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