A growing number of women in Japan are building careers and taking on greater responsibilities in industries long dominated by men, including maritime transportation and construction.
A government survey found that, as of 2020, women accounted for less than 20% of the workforce in those sectors, far below the figure of more than 40% across all industries. Even so, some women have steadily carved out their own paths, drawing on personal experiences that sparked their ambition and sustained their resolve.
In 2023, Naomi Matsushita of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines became the first woman to serve as captain aboard a ship operated by a major integrated Japanese shipping company.
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