Big IDEAS - Women’s Employment Promotion Policies: What Should Change, What Will Change?
Details
| Type | Lecture |
|---|---|
| Intended for | General public / Enrolled students / Applying students / International students / Alumni / Companies / Elementary school students / Junior high school students / High school students / Technical college students / University students / Academic and Administrative Staff |
| Date(s) | March 17, 2026 18:00 — 19:00 |
| Location | Online |
| Venue | Online (Zoom Webinar) |
| Entrance Fee | No charge |
| Registration Method | Advance registration required
Please register on the application page below: https://glif.ga.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/events/558/ |
| Registration Period | February 25, 2026 — March 17, 2026 |
| Contact | Mail: [email protected] |
We are pleased to welcome Ms. Kimie Iwata to speak on women’s roles in the workforce. The seminar, titled “Women’s Employment Promotion Policies: What Should Change, What Will Change?,” will provide a comprehensive look on the policies aimed at advancing women’s professional participation.
After graduating from the Faculty of Liberal Arts of the University of Tokyo, Ms. Iwata joined the former Ministry of Labor (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare). She retired after serving as Director-General of the Bureau of Equal Employment Opportunity and Child and Family Affairs. In 2003, she joined Shiseido Co., Ltd., becoming its Vice President and Representative Director in 2008. She is a role model for working women and has made numerous significant contributions to women’s employment promotion policies.
While the Gender Equality Bureau was established within the Cabinet Office in 2001, Japan’s progress remains slow, ranking 118th out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index in 2025. In an era where women in key positions are still rare, how does Ms. Kimie Iwata, having built an impressive career, perceive the current situation? The discussion will focus on four areas: (1) urgent measures needed in women’s employment policy; (2) priority measures for improving work-life balance; (3) the low proportion of women in management positions; and (4) the issue of permanent vs. temporary employment.
*Please note that this event will follow a dialogue-based format, unlike our previous presentation and Q&A style.
After graduating from the Faculty of Liberal Arts of the University of Tokyo, Ms. Iwata joined the former Ministry of Labor (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare). She retired after serving as Director-General of the Bureau of Equal Employment Opportunity and Child and Family Affairs. In 2003, she joined Shiseido Co., Ltd., becoming its Vice President and Representative Director in 2008. She is a role model for working women and has made numerous significant contributions to women’s employment promotion policies.
While the Gender Equality Bureau was established within the Cabinet Office in 2001, Japan’s progress remains slow, ranking 118th out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index in 2025. In an era where women in key positions are still rare, how does Ms. Kimie Iwata, having built an impressive career, perceive the current situation? The discussion will focus on four areas: (1) urgent measures needed in women’s employment policy; (2) priority measures for improving work-life balance; (3) the low proportion of women in management positions; and (4) the issue of permanent vs. temporary employment.
*Please note that this event will follow a dialogue-based format, unlike our previous presentation and Q&A style.
