The requirement of many of Japan's firms that job applicants indicate their gender and even provide a photo on resumes has left the country out of step with international norms — but that may be about to change.
An internet petition campaign stressing that such practices can lead to discrimination has collected more than 10,000 signatures, while at least one major company has altered its rules to scrap both requirements and has even stopped asking for applicants' first names.
Identifying gender on resumes is particularly problematic for transgender people — often leading to obstacles in getting hired, experts say.