Banyan | Japan's sexist labour market

Hit the road

Skirting the country's self-defeating lack of child care

By K.N.C. | TOKYO

“MY MOTHER died,” said the female boss of a Japanese software company, seemingly from out of nowhere, during an interview. “I'm sorry,” I said. What else can one say?

“No, no,” she rushed to explain, sensing that I hadn't followed her point.

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