Only 11% of Japanese films released in 2022 were directed by women, down 1 percentage point from the previous year, according to a nonprofit organization report showed, underscoring the gender equality challenges that the country's film industry still faces.

Out of 613 films released in Japan, just 68 were directed by women, according to a report by the Japanese Film Project. Not one of the 13 that recorded a box office take of ¥1 billion ($7.04 million) or more was directed by a female.

The study also showed female representation among editors and scriptwriters both fell 4 points in 2022 from 2021 to 14% and 17%, respectively.

In the group's first findings on gender in the Japanese theater industry, the results also underscored the low representation of women in creative roles.

The report, which excluded Japanese traditional performances, dramas performed at large theaters and musicals, showed that out of 747 who assumed roles as producers in the industry, 172, or 23%, are women.

Filmmaker and artist Tatsuhito Utagawa, founder and representative director of the organization, said, "There hasn't been much progress in improvement in the gender gap."

He said a mere change in mindset is likely insufficient to resolve the gap and called for a change in labor conditions surrounding women.

Established in 2021, the group has noted that there are "various forms of harassment, poor compensation and long working hours" in the Japanese film industry.

A separate report released in March 2023 said 22 people claimed in its survey that they had experienced sexual assault or harassment by a film director or producer, with the majority of the claims made by women.

Japan has lagged behind other countries in terms of gender equality and work-life balance, with a survey by the World Economic Forum showing that the country's gender gap ranking in 2023 hit an all-time low, placing 125th out of 146 countries.

Its position is the lowest among the Group of Seven nations as well as in East Asia and the Pacific region.

Culled from Japan Times