In Japan, the prefecture, an administrative group, has ruled to stop hiring the traditional “tea-squads.” For many years, companies have hired groups of women to serve men green tea before their meetings begin at work. Members of the Saitama prefecture in Tokyo ruled that it is unnecessary. Some sources believe this change was only meant to cut costs for the company, but others believe that it was an adjustment to change attitudes about women in the workplace.

Although there are disagreements about the purpose of this drastic change, it is obvious that Japan has taken steps toward gender equality in the workforce. In Japan, the gender roles of men and women are established so as to keep women in secretarial positions and to promote men to higher ranking jobs in society. However, this simple ‘tea-squad’ change for women may set off the spark that directs Japan toward equality.