2012 Miss International won by a Japanese lady

Ikumi Yoshimatsu

Ikumi Yoshimatsu a 25-year-old Japanese female model won Miss International 2012 held in Naha, Okinawa for the first time as Japanese.
"Women will be opinion leaders in next generation. I talked about what action I would like to take in my speech."
She works as the sightseeing ambassador of her home city, Tosu City, Saga from March 2012.


ミス・インターナショナル　吉松さん　日本人Ｖは初　―東京新聞
http://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/national/news/CK2012102202000081.html

90 percents of Japanese men think economically supporting family is husband's role

Annual income of women who have been jobless once after marriage

Japanese women: Approximately 70% are below 1.3M yen($16,500)
American women: Over 40% are below 1.42M yen($18,000)


Men who think economical support for family is husband's role

Japanese men: Approximately 90%
American men: Approximately 50%


Women who do not want husband to take child-care leave

Japanese women: 53%
American women: 29%


Research was conducted by the team of Ochanomizu University to women aged between 20 to 39(917 Japaneses/1,508 Americans) and men who have a child aged below 12(715 Japaneses/1500 Americans).


-FACTS-
It is still popular for Japanese women leaving job for a long time after marriage and having baby. However working as part timer is common among them.


男性の９割「経済的に家族支えるのは夫」　―SankeiBiz
http://www.sankeibiz.jp/econome/news/120826/ecc1208261501006-n1.htm

Homare Sawa on TIME magazine

Homare Sawa on "TIME" magazine

Japanese female football player, Homare Sawa was on the cover of Asian version of "TIME" magazine July 30th issue.
She is now playing at Japanese Women's Football team in London Olympic game and was chosen for FIFA World Player of the Year at 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time as an Asian player.


米誌「TIME」表紙の澤穂希が「かっこいい」とネット掲示板で絶賛される　―livedoor ニュース
http://news.livedoor.com/olympic/london2012/images/6792781/