In Akita Prefecture, Japan, young men perform a traditional festival called **kanto**. They balance bamboo poles, some reaching 40 feet high, adorned with paper lanterns. This unique blend of strength, culture, and ritual is a sight to behold.
Yet, the tradition has a restrictive side. In kanto, only men can touch the poles, while women usually play flutes and drums. This separation stems from Shinto beliefs, which regard women’s blood as impure for rituals. Some women like college student Mayaka Ogawa accept these roles, saying, “We can’t really argue against tradition.”
Akita faces a demographic crisis. It has the oldest population in Japan—39% are over 65 years old—and the lowest birth rate. This issue is tied to strict gender roles that discourage women from participating in public life, contributing to rural depopulation.
According to a recent gender inequality report, nearly 27% of young women seek to leave their hometowns, compared to 15% of young men. Many women feel trapped in part-time jobs and oppressive expectations regarding marriage and family. Sociologist Masahiro Yamada notes, “Women don’t want to work in these places, so they move to Tokyo.” This suggests a need for healthier job opportunities and changing societal roles.
Despite the struggles, some women aim to make a difference. Ren Yamamoto started a YouTube channel, interviewing women about gender discrimination. Her initiative reached policymakers, revealing their lack of awareness about women’s choices and aspirations. “We feel like we’re seen as baby-making machines,” she told former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who acknowledged the challenge of changing local perspectives dominated by older men.
Political empowerment for women in Japan lags behind. The World Economic Forum ranked Japan 125th out of 148 countries for gender equality in 2025. Moreover, a study found that 43% of rural municipalities risk disappearing as the population of women of childbearing age declines.
The resulting labor shortages and abandoned homes are visible across Japan. Local governments are experimenting with policies aimed at tackling these intertwined issues of declining birth rates and gender inequality, like matchmaking services intended to boost marriages. Yet, these initiatives sometimes provoke backlash. “It almost comes across as women can’t do it for themselves,” Ogawa remarked.
Some women accept the slow pace of change, attending workshops on assertiveness or engaging in community initiatives. However, many express a sense of hopelessness about the future. “Let Akita be depopulated. There is no way of stopping it,” said college student Miwa Sawano, whose disillusionment reflects a broader trend among young women in rural Japan.
As the country confronts these challenges, it’s clear that issues of gender equality and demographic stability are deeply entwined. Akita’s culture, rich yet restrictive, faces an urgent need for transformation, one that considers women’s voices and choices. If change remains elusive, the risk of losing vibrant communities only grows.
