J: Akito, our readers ask a lot of questions about the social role of women in Japan. Has anything changed for women in recent years?

Akito: It would be wrong to say that things have changed a lot recently because women in my country have basically followed the same customs and traditions for generations. One of these traditions is, of course, to marry. The typical age for marriage these days being around 27.

J: So how can they be sure of finding the right partner at that age?

Akito: Well, it is quite common for Japanese parents, for example, to pay detectives to check out possible partners in order to find out about that family background generally.

J: So, once you marry, Japanese women then settle happily into that lifetime role?

Akito: Well, yes, but training courses before marriage are still popular. They tend to learn traditional arts such as the tea ceremony and flower arranging. For many Japanese women, to be the ideal houswife is a full-time job and some mothers even train their daughters at home.

J: So what does a typical Japanese housewife do, that is so different from other housewives?

Akito: Well, for example, some wives may be expected to reserve a seat on a train at one station ready for their husbands getting on at the next. All houswives and mothers will almost certainly be involved in the daily routine of washing the clothes and making a traditional lunch, which they then take to their children at school.

J: So what do women get in return for taking care of everyone?

Akito: Well, basically, they are expected to give up any real hope of a career as the general focus is almost certainly on the organisation of the family and home. One thing they don't usually have to organaise, however, is babysitters as married couples in Japan do not tend to go out together.

J: And what about the rights of women?

Akito: Well, there was one particular woman who did actually manage to get a high position in politics, but because she was unmarried she was unable to continue her work supporting the rights of women.

recent years - последние годы
customs - обычаи
generally - в целом
is quite common - довольно распространенно
tend - иметь тенденция, как правило
even - даже
almost certainly be involved - почти наверняка будет вовлечен
give up any real hope - отказаться от всякой реальной надежды
almost certainly - почти наверняка
however - однако
particular - особый