News Japan 'glasses ban' for women at work sparks backlash (1 Viewer)

[Yoohyeon]

Source: Japan 'glasses ban' for women at work sparks backlash

Japan 'glasses ban' for women at work sparks backlash

Wearing glasses at work has become an emotive topic in Japan following reports that some firms have told female employees to remove them.

Several local news outlets said some companies had "banned" eyewear for female employees for various reasons.

Among them, some retail chains reportedly said glasses-wearing shop assistants gave a "cold impression".

That has sparked heated discussion on Japanese social media over dress practices and women in the workplace.

The Nippon TV network and Business Insider were among the outlets to report on the issue, which looked at how firms in different industries prohibit women from wearing glasses.

They included safety reasons for airline workers, or being unable to see make-up properly for women working in the beauty sector.

It was not clear whether the so-called "bans" were based on company policies, or rather reflected what was socially accepted practice in those workplaces.

But the topic has led to heated debates on social media.

The hashtag "glasses are forbidden" has been popular in Japan and the topic continued to attract tweets on Friday.

Kumiko Nemoto, professor of sociology at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, said people in Japan were reacting to the "outdated" policies.

She said: "The reasons why women are not supposed to wear glasses... really don't make sense. It's all about gender. It's pretty discriminatory."

She added that the reports reflected "old, traditional Japanese" thinking.

"It's not about how women do their work. The company... values the women's appearance as being feminine and that's opposite to someone who wears glasses," Prof Nemoto said.

The discussion has echoes of a recent workplace controversy in Japan over high heels.

Actor and writer Yumi Ishikawa launched a petition calling for Japan to end dress codes after being made to wear high heels while working at a funeral parlour.

The movement attracted a stream of support and a strong social media following.

Supporters tweeted the petition alongside the hashtag #KuToo in solidarity with her cause, mirroring the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse.

The slogan plays on the Japanese words for shoes "kutsu" and pain "kutsuu".

Yumi Ishikawa submitted her petition to the Japanese government in June

Campaigners say that wearing high heels is seen as obligatory when applying for jobs.

Supporters were further aggravated after a Japanese minister said it is "necessary" for companies to enforce dress codes that mandated high heels.

Prof Nemoto said there continues to be discussion by women in Japan "criticising the high heel" policies.

"Women are evaluated mostly on their appearance," she said. "That's the message that these policies are sending, at least."

 

[Ahsoka]

What the fuck

 

[Panda]

I literally lost more brain cells reading this than reading news of Trump. Eyeglass wear are not an option, they are. a. NECESSITY.

 

[blueberries]

That's rly effed up. Not everyone who wears glasses is able to switch to eye contacts (for example someone with sensitive eyes). Personally I wear contact lenses only in special occasions and it's not same for me, it feels quite uncomfortable and i don't see as well with contacts. They shouldn't force people to do that, it's rly big thing and glasses aren't accessory they are necessary tool. Also the reasons are disgusting and gendered.

 

[eclipsoul]

that is f***ed up to say the least.

 

[Yoohyeon]

I was shocked and fuming when I read this.
I love Japan but they do have sexism issues going on.
I don't understand how anyone can take away something important as eyeglasses in the workplace, but it's not all people, it's just Women who are not allowed which is f***ed up.

 

[yeji]

what the hell. this is .......

 

[Abeamus]

First of all how the actual hell are glasses in any masculine and second of all working in heels is probably going to make them slower than in normal shoes so this is pure nonsense.

 

[Yoohyeon]

First of all how the actual hell are glasses in any masculine and second of all working in heels is probably going to make them slower than in normal shoes so this is pure nonsense.

It's ridiculous! This is what CLC are on about in their 'No' song when they are rejecting everything that's expected of them but will only wear because they want to wear them:


I can't believe we are still in the 1950's.

 

[Abeamus]

It's ridiculous! This is what CLC are on about in their 'No' song when they are rejecting everything that's expected of them but will only wear because they want to wear them:


I can't believe we are still in the 1950's.

Well Asia as a whole is kinda known for having a problem with valuing tradition over embracing modern day values that are an improvement on those older values.

People usually don't like change and when you add valuing tradition into that then you got a double serving of keeping things the old way.

 

[Yoohyeon]

Well Asia as a whole is kinda known for having a problem with valuing tradition over embracing modern day values that are an improvement on those older values.

People usually don't like change and when you add valuing tradition into that then you got a double serving of keeping things the old way.

That is true, but tradition can be changed and doesn't have to be a certain thing forever.
Traditions are a bit like habits, you keep doing something over and over again.
I would say get rid of the traditions that don't serve us anymore and make new traditions while keeping the old traditions that we can respect.

 

[Abeamus]

That is true, but tradition can be changed and doesn't have to be a certain thing forever.
Traditions are a bit like habits, you keep doing something over and over again.
I would say get rid of the traditions that don't serve us anymore and make new traditions while keeping the old traditions that we can respect.

That's why cultures being incorporated into one another is important because the good stuff about it will be incorporated and the bad stuff won't be like Americas gun law.

 

[Ashla_K]

I literally lost more brain cells reading this than reading news of Trump. Eyeglass wear are not an option, they are. a. NECESSITY.

You took the words out of my mouth. Who cares if women look pretty or not while wearing glasses, they need them to SEE!
Wtf...

 

[Administrator2]

I really have nothing but respect when it comes to Japan, but This is Wtf even for Japan

 

[Yoohyeon]

And people wonder why the feminism movement started.
It's to make an equal society.

 

[yeji]

And people wonder why the feminism movement started.
It's to make an equal society.

yes! I honestly don't get the people who question this. the whoe purpose of feminism is basically that.

 

[Yoohyeon]

yes! I honestly don't get the people who question this. the whoe purpose of feminism is basically that.

Exactly! It's not to get rid of feminity which some people weirdly seem to think.

 

[yeji]

Exactly! It's not to get rid of feminity which some people weirdly seem to think.

or to hate on males. people weirdly think it all about that.

 

[Yoohyeon]

or to hate on males. people weirdly think it all about that.

True! There are many people who also think that it's mostly 'man-hating lesbians' lol

 

[Abeamus]

True! There are many people who also think that it's mostly 'man-hating lesbians' lol

It could have been those types of people that those people encountered especially in todays world where those kinds of people are the loudest even with stuff that others wouldn't be bothered.

While there are those who are just fighting for equality there are those who more so just want the tables turned and want women to be in power and with the internet it's easier than ever for those type of people to run into you and be triggered.

I think it's a problem with basically any type of equality you look at that it has people who just want to be equal and people who just want to be in power on both sides of the fences that can spread the wrong image to people who could've fought more for equality.