What does Japan need to do to increase the particiaption of women in the workforce?

With the declining workforce and the further decline in birthrate Japan is facing a serious problem. A smaller group of people needs to support the ever increasing number of retirees in this country.

Japan is reluctant to significantly increase the number of immigrants so the obvious solution is to attract more of the unused resource of talent already present in this country, women.

So far, Japan has not been very successfull in utilising the huge talent pool of women. Women have been encouraged to be educated and have been very successful at that level. However, once entering the workforce it quickly goes downwards and participation of women in the workforce is one of the lowest in the world and usually at the bottom level of the career ladder.

Most countries in the world have gone through this proces and some countries have been more successful than others. There is a lot of experience out there that Japan could learn from. However, considering the serious situation in this country, one would expect this to be at the top of the agenda, but it is not. Is it on the agenda at all?

What do we need to do to get this topic of women participation on the agenda and what measures need to be taken? There are a lot of infrastructural measures that could help a higher participation of women. What measures would work in Japan?

Your input is greatly appreciated.