Striving within intersectional complexities: autoethnography of a female academic in Japan

This autoethnographic study examines the challenges faced and negotiations made by a female academic in Japan, a country with significant gender disparities in academia. Despite initiatives to address gender imbalances, such as gender-specific recruitment and government support, female academics continue to face pressure to excel based on performance metrics. Drawing on personal experiences as a female academic, I discuss the intersection of gender, career advancement, and family responsibilities, exploring how patriarchy, institutional norms, and cultural expectations shape the academic journey. The autoethnography highlights the microaggressions women face in academia, the mutual incompatibility of solutions among female academics, and the importance of autonomy both as a woman with children and a researcher. The study argues that achieving research success can provide a semblance of freedom in a system that perpetuates gendered constraints for female academics. Through this autoethnography, I call for more inclusive discussion and practices within academia regarding female academics.