Japan’s largest business lobby aims for more women representation

Japan’s largest business lobby, Keidanren, aims for women in the workforce to fill over 30% of top managerial positions in Japanese firms by 2030. 

To help achieve the goal, 53 of its member corporations have joined the initiative. Specific measures include the implementation of a support programme for women on matters of hiring and promotion to upper management and executive roles.

“The business circle should act [to promote women’s participation in corporate management] in a globally tangible way,” Yasuyoshi Karasawa, vice chair of Keidanren’s board of councillors, said at a press conference, according to Nippon news. 

So far, women account for only 6.2% of executives in Japanese listed companies as of July last year. This figure is lower than that of women holding top roles in US and European companies. 

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The ambitious target was first set by the business lobby last year in its growth strategy. With the female-to-male ratio in the population at 100 to 94.8, the group said that it was “only natural” for women to fill around half of all leadership positions. 

Without diversity, businesses cannot innovate and be globally competitive, said Karasawa Yasuyoshi, a Keidanren official in charge of promoting diversity, reports NHK World.