Analysis Of Women Employment Policy Of Japanese Government In The 1980s～1990s

Under the pressure of the international and internal factors, the Equal Empolyment Opportunity Law of 1985 (hereinafter the 1985 EEOL) was laid down, which was the first law based on sexual equality for women employees. It tried to relieve sexual discrimination and encourage women to participate into the labor market. Since the 1985 EEOL did not prohibit discriminatory treatment in all stages of employment and had no effective sanctions against violations, Japanese government improved the law in 1997 (hereinafter the 1997 EEOL), which focused on promoting equality between men and women. The 1997 EEOL reinforced its substantial result and opotimized women's working environment. This paper tries to analysis the background and main content of the women employment policy in the1980s~1990s, studies its influences on Japanese society and women themselves and affirms the active role Japanese government played in introducing and improving the laws.