Trends in Occupational Sex Segregation in Japan ――A Decomposition Analysis of Census Data, 1980-2005――

Abstract

This study investigates trends in occupational sex segregation in Japan, focusing of the role of changes in occupational structure. Despite a potential implication to understand a persistent gender inequality in Japan, evidence on the trends in segregation was limited and mixed. We argued that part of the inconsistent results is due to a lack of distinction between （1）occupational mix and（2）sex composition, and attempt to quantify these contributions using a decomposition method. We test whether occupational sex segregation changes through（1）an decrease in manufacturing sectors, that characterize a gendered aspect of the Japanese labor market and（2）a relative shift in occupational composition towards more professional and service occupations. Results based on national census from 1980 to 2005 revealed the following points. First, occupational sex segregation has marginally declined. Second, a decomposition analysis presents that occupational mix contributed to a growth of segregation. In contrast, sex composition contributes to a decrease in occupational segregation. Third, we argued that women’ s movement from female dominated occupations is a key to understand changes in occupational sex segregation in Japan.