CSRDA Discussion Paper Series

No. 68 Factors associated with ambition for promotion among female and male workers: a cross-sectional study in Japan
Rina Yamauchi , Kaori Yonezawa , Megumi Haruna, Yuriko Usui, Emi Tahara-Sasagawa, Yumi Maeda, Yuka Ikeda
https://orcid.org/
0000-0002-0373-4232
Rina Yamauchi The University of Tokyo
https://orcid.org/
0000-0002-8160-3721
Kaori Yonezawa The University of Tokyo
https://orcid.org/
0000-0002-7727-7417
Megumi HarunaThe University of Tokyo
https://orcid.org/
0000-0002-6224-5391
Yuriko UsuiThe University of Tokyo
https://orcid.org/
0000-0002-3505-3183
Emi Tahara-SasagawaThe University of Tokyo
https://orcid.org/
0000-0002-1511-0662
Yumi MaedaMitsubishi Research Institute, Inc
https://orcid.org/
0000-0001-6514-6279
Yuka IkedaMitsubishi Research Institute, Inc
Career developmentGender inequalityHealth-related productivity lossSense of coherenceWork-family conflict
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-BeingGoal 5: Gender EqualityGoal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The percentage of female managers is only 12.5% in Japan, far below the global average of 31.4%. This study aimed to investigate the low ambition for promotion (AFP) and its associated factors in female and male Japanese workers, focusing on gender differences. This cross-sectional survey evaluated the sense of coherence (SOC), mental health, physical health, health-related productivity loss, and household burden of the spouse. The data included 1257 women and 1206 men aged 20-39 who participated in our online survey in Japan for analysis. The high SOC, worse health conditions, and productivity loss were negatively associated with low AFP, while the household burden of spouse was positively associated for both genders, and the association was more robust in women. Female workers with high AFP were in poorer health conditions than male workers. Women's AFP was associated with their SOC, mental health, physical health, and spouse's household workload, and these factors need to be considered from various perspectives to increase promotion motivation and mitigate health risk concerns for female workers, hoping to be a manager.