Analysis of the Causes of the Gender Gap through Data Comparison and Visualization by the 47 Prefectures

Abstract

This study analyzed the effects and causes of cultural and social gender differences using prefecture-by-prefecture data. Existing studies have calculated prefectural versions of the Gender Gap Index, but this analysis took into account regional characteristics, which were insufficient there. The results showed that policies related to gender equality tended to vary by region, and that in regions with a large number of employed women near Tokyo, there seemed to be a stronger tendency than in Kyushu and Shikoku to correct differences in status within companies, rather than to tailor policies to life events such as child rearing. In addition, while there was a relationship between industry and higher education in each region, the characteristics of other items varied from prefecture to prefecture, and we thought it would be possible to explore more detailed factors by examining correlations with data that would reveal the characteristics of each prefecture.