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Opinion

Nature 410, 395 (22 March 2001) | doi:10.1038/35068672

Open Innovation Challenges

Japan and its women

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Cultural obstacles and potential damage to one's career present major challenges to women wanting to pursue science in Japan. Some changes have occurred, but too few, and too slowly.

Why do Japanese women scientists have such a hard time of it? In their country, it seems, one is expected to wait for change to happen, not to force it, and women are supposed to gaman, or endure.