on equality:

"[Japan,] the world's second-largest economy ranked 43rd in the United Nations Development Program's Gender Empowerment Measure in 2005, the lowest of all the developed nations and most second-tier countries, too" (Japan Times, March 13th)
in fact not so suprising. interesting article, if you have the time to read it.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20060312x1.html