In Japan, the scale of unpaid household labor is striking. Estimates show that Japanese women spend a substantial amount of time on unpaid chores, to the point where the total value of this work amounts to roughly 111 trillion yen, about 761 billion dollars at current rates. That figure would represent about a fifth of Japan’s gross domestic product, highlighting the profound economic footprint of domestic labor in the world’s third-largest economy.
Government data indicate a sharp imbalance in the division of household tasks. Men in Japan perform less than 30 percent of the unpaid work that women handle at home. On average, a Japanese person allocates around 41 minutes daily to unpaid domestic duties, whereas women devote approximately three hours each day. Analysts view these patterns as a clear signal of the wage gap that persists between men and women in the country, as much of women’s work is unpaid and thus undervalued in traditional economic measures.
Analysts at the NLI Research Institute emphasize that, if household wages were recognized, gender income disparities would narrow substantially. The projection suggests that women raising children aged 20 to 44 could see incomes surpass those of men in the same age bracket. In the 45 to 59 age group, however, men are likely to remain in lead positions due to a higher share of men in managerial roles. These estimates illustrate how unpaid labor intersects with employment structures to shape long-term earnings trajectories.
Cross-country comparisons provide additional context. A study from EYO University on Russian households finds that Russian women spend about six hours daily on housework and childcare and experience roughly 1.2 times less rest than men. The study also notes that men engage in paid work about 40 minutes longer each day, yet this extra paid time does not fully offset the heavier unpaid workload borne by women. The survey coordinated by the HSE drew on responses from 9,299 adults in 2021–2022, underscoring the persistent gendered division of labor across different economies.
Earlier reports highlighted attitudes among Russian fathers, with about half expressing optimism about the possibility of taking maternity leave in place of their partners. This sentiment mirrors broader conversations in many societies about how parental roles and policy support can influence the balance between paid employment and family responsibilities, and it points to potential shifts in both cultural expectations and workplace practices in the future.