In 2023, women occupied just 8.3 percent of senior positions in private corporations in Japan, and among the top 1,643 firms listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s prime market in 2024, only 0.8 percent had female CEOs.
But this narrative is beginning to shift, thanks to growing awareness of the value that diversity brings to innovation and corporate success. From boardrooms in Tokyo’s towering skyscrapers to innovative startups, women are carving out spaces for themselves challenging norms and inspiring others to do the same.
Ahead of the curve
Jun Taneie, All Nippon Airways
Member of the Board, Executive Vice President, Risk & Compliance, Legal & Insurance, General Administration
Jun Taneie joined All Nippon Airways (ANA) shortly after the company started operating flights internationally. From facing limited opportunities for women in the decision-making process early in her career to sitting on the board of Japan’s largest airline, Jun has grown and evolved alongside the company.
Why is having a diverse and gender equal workplace important?
Prioritizing inclusion in the workplace enables the creation of new value in services and products, which would be difficult to achieve from homogeneous perspectives. A diverse workforce enables a company to reach new audiences. Simply put, it’s good for business.
Equality in the workplace is advancing as we actively work to increase the proportion of women in decision-making roles. ANA Holdings successfully increased the percentage of women executives from 5.3 percent in 2019 to 24.1 percent in 2024 by implementing training programs, and by offering flexible work arrangements and diverse career path options. Our goal is to reach 30 percent as early as possible in the 2020s.
For a company like ours to become more competitive and grow in a global market, it must become an organization that embraces different opinions and values and links them to outcomes, even if it sometimes causes disruptions.
What challenges do you face in the workplace as a woman, and what advice do you have for the next generation of women in the workplace?
Opportunities for women to be involved in decision-making have improved significantly in the past 30 years.
There may be times when a woman faces a new challenge in the workplace, or must leave her primary job due to childbirth or child-rearing. Regardless of your position, remain confident in your work and continue to prove that you can accomplish it with your own abilities and style.
Do you see changes in society reflected in the workplace?
Younger generations today are ahead of the curve when it comes to inclusion. They expect more from companies regarding corporate responsibility, embracing diverse perspectives and investing in tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s talent pool is tomorrow’s workforce. Employers well-versed in societal changes who can adapt to evolving expectations can deliver results that are both good for business and society. It’s win-win.
Diversity of thought as a business driver
Lorena Dellagiovanna, Hitachi
Senior Vice President and Executive Officer, Chief Sustainability Officer, CHRO, and CDEIO
Hitachi’s Chief Sustainability Officer, CHRO and first CDEIO, Lorena Dellagiovanna, relocated from Milan to Tokyo to accelerate the cultural transformation and global growth in one of the world’s largest public companies.
How is Japan increasing diversity and powering inclusion in the work environment?
To succeed in today’s global market, leveraging diversity of thought and building an inclusive culture are key drivers of innovation and growth. It is essential for companies to tap into all available talent, increasing women’s workforce participation and attracting international experts to remain competitive.
Women represent half of the world’s population, yet their potential is not fully realized. At Hitachi, we are implementing several initiatives to create a fair and inclusive work environment where everyone, based on competencies and capabilities, can contribute to long-term business and economic growth. For example, we have launched mentoring programs to support women in their professional journeys and promote shared family responsibilities in Japan.
We also conduct unconscious bias training, run awareness campaigns, and empower employees to drive change with a bottom-up approach. Thanks to these initiatives, we are increasing women’s representation in leadership roles based on merit.
How can the corporate environment in Japan better leverage diverse talents, including women, and what key factors should be prioritized?
To enable diverse talents to contribute and make an impact, it is essential to provide clarity on job roles and required skills, as well as establish fair systems that ensure the right person is in the right role. This approach empowers employees, boosts their confidence, and reinforces that appointments are based on merit and capability.
These changes will not happen in one day. Consistent leadership support and engagement across all levels of the organization are essential. We’re also encouraged by the growing involvement of men in leadership positions, as well as the enthusiasm of younger employees in driving positive change. These trends give us confidence that progress is within reach.
What are some key factors influencing women’s empowerment based on your experience, specifically in Japan?
Building an inclusive culture and providing a psychologically safe environment are key to fully harnessing the power of diversity. That’s why we prioritize initiatives that ensure everyone feels valued and respected, fostering a long-term commitment. Embracing our differences as strengths, completing instead of competing with each other, and considering failure as part of a learning process, help build confidence and encourage women to take on new challenges.
An efficient approach
Noriko Harada, AI CROSS
Chief Executive Officer
After a decade in IT in the United States, Noriko Harada returned to Japan with her young family where she found it difficult to balance work and being a mother. Hoping to find a way that would allow people to work more efficiently, Noriko founded AI CROSS focusing on revolutionizing communication platforms.
How challenging is it leading a startup as a woman in Japan?
Startups are extremely short on resources, such as people and money, so you end up working long hours. I was fortunate that when I was preparing to have my company publicly listed, we were able to move closer to my child’s daycare center and my workplace, and we also had the support of both sets of grandparents.
How is Japan improving its workplace diversity and gender equality?
Women’s representation in the workplace has significantly increased in some business occupations, however, the ratio of male engineers and technical positions in the AI/IT industry remains unbalanced. I believe this will not improve unless there is an increase in the number of women in science and engineering fields in education.
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At AI CROSS, I personally mentor women and we actively hire foreign nationals to create a diverse workplace. I also see an increase in people bringing children to the workplace, which was unthinkable 10 years ago. There is also an increase in the rate of parents, including fathers, taking parental leave and participating in child-rearing, so I think the burden on women has been greatly reduced.
Does Japan need more female role models in the corporate world?
Definitely. Previously, I was able to consult with male managers about business, but there were no female role models I could talk to about concerns such as how to balance work and kids.
I personally believe that the presence of women in the decision-making process can enhance rationality, and that women in the workplace can help facilitate smoother communication.
The efforts of companies such as ANA, Hitachi, and AI CROSS are crucial as Japan sees a rise in women’s labor force participation from 49.2 to 54.9 percent over the last decade. With the government setting a goal for women to occupy 30 percent of executive roles by 2030, Japan is setting a new standard for greater equality and inclusivity in the workplace.
Learn how the Government of Japan is supporting diversity and inclusion.
