Research Activities
Research Projects 2025
Protection of Seafarers' Rights in the Global Maritime Labor Market: A Case Study of Filipino Female Seafarers
Outline
This research is a preliminary investigation aimed at identifying challenges faced by Filipino female seafarers in the rapidly globalizing maritime industry and promoting women's participation in seafaring. While the maritime industry has traditionally been male-dominated, it has recently been promoting active recruitment of women due to the urgent challenge of securing sufficient seafarers. However, women still face institutional, social, and cultural challenges when entering the industry. This research focuses on the Philippines, which became the world's largest supplier of seafarers in 2021 (BIMCO 2021) and accounts for 72% of foreign crew members in Japanese merchant fleets (Japanese Shipowners' Association 2024). It systematically analyzes the challenges faced by women seafarers working on ocean-going vessels, with particular attention to key issues in their training and employment processes. Specifically, this study aims to review existing literature in the field, understand difficulties in the work environment, and examine structural barriers to women's labor participation.
The significance of this research extends to Japan's maritime industry, which faces an aging population and declining birthrate. Given that Japanese merchant fleets heavily rely on foreign crew members, particularly Filipino seafarers, understanding the situation of Filipino women seafarers is expected to provide insights for promoting women's participation in Japan's maritime industry.
Period
April 2025 - March 2026
Members
| Role | Member |
|---|---|
| [ Organizer ] | Chibana, Izumi |
| [ Co-researcher ] | Imaizumi, Shinya |
*Affiliations are as of April 2025.
Expected Outcome
- Basic theory building project report