Shojiro Kotegawa: What is the Problem with Appearance-Based Discrimination?

"Don't judge a person by their looks." Many people have likely been told this since childhood. Nevertheless, these words carry a somewhat hollow ring. Living in a reality where people considered "good-looking" benefit everywhere, it is understandable to feel like saying, "In the end, it's all about looks!"

That being said—or rather, precisely because of that—it is important to consider where "appearance-based discrimination" (lookism) begins and what makes it problematic. As pointed out by Miki Nishikura, a leading researcher on lookism in Japan, lookism does not simply refer to an emphasis on looks or physical attractiveness; it means discrimination where appearance is (excessively) evaluated, particularly in situations such as employment or performance reviews, thereby hindering equal opportunity (Miki Nishikura, "Examination of the Concept of 'Lookism': Discrimination Based on Appearance," Bulletin of the Faculty of Education, Wakayama University: Humanities, No. 71, 2021). For example, not being hired or receiving a low evaluation because of one's facial features or body type is a typical form of appearance-based discrimination.

People who criticize lookism are not claiming that "looks should never be emphasized in any situation." Rather, they argue that "in situations where looks should not inherently be evaluated, such as job hunting or entrance exams, the fact that looks become an element of evaluation and cause some people to suffer disadvantages violates the principle of equal opportunity."

Of course, depending on the occupation, facial features or body type may be regarded as an essential quality inherent to that profession, and in such cases, evaluating appearance may not be considered unjust. However, such occupations are limited to a very small number, such as models. In other fields, the issue is that appearance is being evaluated or heavily emphasized even though it should not be a subject of evaluation or should not be prioritized to such an extent.

Some might argue as follows: Appearance is an individual's personality refined through various efforts, and if the results of that effort can be evaluated, it cannot be called discrimination. Rather, hasn't refining one's appearance provided opportunities for success for those raised in underprivileged families? Indeed, it is undeniable that by refining one's appearance, one can gain a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem, or acquire status and fame by leaping over disparities in social class or economic background.

However, on the other hand, we cannot overlook the fact that lookism is inseparable from inequalities surrounding gender, race, and class. In fact, women are overwhelmingly more likely than men to be required to have a "good appearance" in society. Women are forced to wear makeup or pumps during job hunting or in the workplace, and are frequently evaluated in connection with their appearance. Consequently, many women devote time and money to their looks, sometimes facing risks such as eating disorders.

In the first place, obtaining a "good appearance" requires labor and money. Those who lack time and money from the start are placed at a further disadvantage in a society where lookism is prevalent.

Furthermore, a "good appearance" is often linked to specific racial characteristics. In Japan, cosmetic surgeries are performed to eliminate the so-called "epicanthic fold" or to create double eyelids in pursuit of a "Caucasian-mix face." The degree of effort required to approach a "good appearance" is largely determined by innate conditions. Therefore, lookism not only undermines equal employment opportunities but also risks promoting sexism, racism, and class discrimination.

So, what should be done? Most companies likely do not include appearance as an evaluation item, and evaluators would say they evaluate regardless of looks. However, it has been reported that the impression of a photo on a resume affects the evaluation of the written content, and that teachers or students perceived as good-looking tend to receive higher evaluations. In short, even if you intend "not to evaluate looks," you may be unconsciously discriminating based on appearance.

In such cases, it is vital to discard the assumption that "I can evaluate fairly" and to build an evaluation system that leaves no room for appearance to enter the process. For example, removing the photo section from resumes or grading while hiding names are measures that can be implemented immediately.

As face-to-face meetings are restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the myth that first impressions are determined by looks is also beginning to crumble. In classes where faces are not visible, remarks during class and post-class surveys shape the impression of the other person. When meeting face-to-face after evaluating remarks and writing without being biased by appearance, the perception and evaluation of the other person can be different from when starting from appearance. If beauty pageants, which have been seen as symbols of lookism, were to start with speeches without showing faces, it might provide an opportunity to reflect on how biased our evaluations have been due to our obsession with looks.