[MMM]

You are mixing up "women's rights" and cultural traditions. And this is a larger topic than I can even scratch the surface of here.

Japan is often called a patriarchal society, but in reality I have found that men wear the titles, and women carry the power. Oftentimes in homes the husband gives his paycheck to his wife, and she pays the bills and gives him an allowence for lunch, etc. Men often live at home until they get married, so wives can sort of take the role of "mom" sometimes. Japan is not a society like some, where a woman would be beaten for speaking her mind, and if you watch the movies, it is women who can tease and make fun of the mafia boss or samurai, when his male subordinates cannot.

It is a good question, but also a complex one. But I think if you aksed Japanese women if they really felt oppressed in Japanese society, the number of yes answers would be lower than you think. Remember geisha, hostesses and waitresses are PAID to be submissive.