Image Credits: Global Government Forum
The share of women who successfully passed Japan’s government examination for noncareer positions reached a historic high of 43% in fiscal year 2024. This represents a significant increase from 40.3% the previous year, according to data released by the National Personnel Authority on Tuesday.
The surge in female representation among exam passers reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment for individuals balancing career and family responsibilities. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance workplace conditions and provide greater opportunities for women, particularly those managing both professional and parental duties.
Despite this positive development, the number of women who passed the exam decreased slightly to 3,250 from 3,336 in the prior year. Overall, the total number of successful candidates dropped by 8.6% to 7,557, from 8,268 in fiscal 2023. This decline coincides with a reduction in the overall applicant pool, which stood at 24,240 for the latest fiscal period.
The ratio of applicants to passers remained stable at 3.2 to 1, consistent with the previous year. This indicates that while the pool of successful candidates has contracted, the competitive nature of the examination has not markedly changed.
The record-setting share of female passers underscores the effectiveness of policies aimed at enhancing gender diversity within the Japanese government workforce. As Japan continues to address gender disparities in various sectors, this milestone is seen as a positive step towards achieving greater equality and improving the representation of women in public service roles.