Japanese women earn 24.5% less than men on average, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The pay gap is one of the largest among OECD countries and has been slow to improve over time. Factors contributing to the gap include part-time work, cultural expectations that women take time off when they have children or get married, industry and occupation, education, corporate culture and government policy. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the gender pay gap in Japan as many women have been forced to reduce their working hours or leave the workforce altogether due to childcare responsibilities or other pandemic-related challenges.