Women as Decoration

Every once in a while I read an article about Japan that suggests that women are slowly getting a better deal in this country, but from my perspective it really hasn't changed all that much.

I knew it hadn't ever since my co-worker told me that he went to an onsen (volcanic bath) with his clients. Now if public nudity isn't a glass ceiling, I don't know what is.

But the last straw was really when I saw an advertisement for "booth girls" in my information packet for semicon Japan.

Semicon Japan is your average tradeshow; huge rooms full of company displays and posters, and salesmen and customers alike roaming through it. Its much the same anywhere in the world.

Except for, in Japan when you apply they give you a bunch of fliers. If you need electricity, translators, shipping agents, they have it for you. Just fill out the form. Also, if you need a little something extra, for 300 dollars a day you can rent out a "booth girl", who will stand in your booth wearing a plastic haltertop and miniskirt with your logo on it and hand out pens and keychains. The flyer promises a "warm, welcoming feeling". Great.

This is just one example of women as accessories. We had a welcome dinner at a nearby hotel and they asked if we would like to rent out some "companions". Their goal? Pour drinks and make converstaion.

I guess since women basically aren't allowed to rise in the ranks of a company, it gets to be kind of a sausage fest. And at least they're just paying for company and not... something else.

It says a lot that I have to be content with that :p