Efforts to promote equality have ‘gone too far’, say 30% of Gen Z men in Japan

The poll highlights a growing divide, with many young men feeling sidelined. Experts warn the frustration could lead to dangerous outcomes

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Pedestrians cross a road in Tokyo last month. Japanese experts warn that marginalising young men could have dangerous implications. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 10:00am, 3 Sep 2024Updated: 10:48am, 3 Sep 2024

About 30 per cent of Generation Z men in Japan believe that efforts to achieve equality in society and the workplace have gone too far, according to a new poll, sparking concerns among experts that the resulting frustration could manifest in harmful ways.

The poll by Ipsos SA, a French opinion research company, asked nearly 22,000 people in 29 countries about steps taken by governments and society at large to achieve equality in terms of gender, employment, sexual diversity and individuals with disabilities.

While 47 per cent of respondents globally called for increased efforts to achieve equality, a notable number of Gen Z men in 28 of the countries surveyed expressed concerns that the push for equality had exceeded reasonable bounds. Japan’s figure of 30 per cent stands out against an average of 27 per cent among the other nations.

Generation Z typically includes those born between 1996 and 2012, following the millennial generation and preceding Generation Alpha.

Customers dine at a restaurant in Tokyo. Only about one-third of young Japanese say success is a result of ability, a new poll shows. Photo: Bloomberg

“I mix with Gen Z people every day in my university and yes, many of the men feel that the balance has gone too far and that it is now actively biased against them,” said Izumi Tsuji, a sociology professor at Tokyo’s Chuo University and a member of the Japan Youth Study Group.