Exchange of Views with Governor Koike on Women’s Empowerment 🕊 Report on the “Governor’s Meeting with Working Women” Held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Hello, this is PR Sunny-chan!
Previously, SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP received the Grand Prize at the award ceremony for the “FY2023 Tokyo Women’s Empowerment Promotion Grand Prize,” which was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. We were fortunate to have another opportunity to visit the building again 👏✨
On this occasion, the “Governor’s Meeting with Working Women” was held for members working at companies that received the “FY2023 Tokyo Women’s Empowerment Promotion Grand Prize.” The purpose of this meeting was to “promote women’s empowerment in companies,” where female employees from companies actively engaged in promoting women’s empowerment and the Governor exchanged views and discussed their daily work and future careers!
This time, a wide range of members from four companies, including SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP, participated—from management to young employees. Through our daily initiatives, we had a candid exchange of opinions with Governor Koike, who actively promotes women’s empowerment in the public sector.
Sunny-chan also attended as an escort for the participating members from SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP, so I will share what happened on the day 📝
…But before that.
The “Tokyo Women’s Empowerment Promotion Grand Prize” and SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP’s Initiatives in Women’s Empowerment to Date
Before getting into the main topic, let’s review the “Tokyo Women’s Empowerment Grand Prize” hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the background of SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP’s award 🏆
First, what is the “Tokyo Women’s Empowerment Promotion Grand Prize”?
This is an award hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Toward the realization of a society where all women can choose diverse lifestyles according to their aspirations and abilities, the “Tokyo Women’s Empowerment Promotion Grand Prize” is presented to companies, organizations, and individuals working to promote women’s empowerment.
▼Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Citizens, Culture and Sports Official Website | Tokyo Women’s Empowerment Promotion Grand Prize https://www.seikatubunka.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/danjo/jokatsu/taisho.html
SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP received the Grand Prize last December for its unique employee benefit programs supporting diverse lifestyles, including “egg freezing cost subsidies” and “AMH testing cost subsidies,” as well as its highly regarded awareness-raising activities aimed at resolving women’s physical, mental, and social issues externally 🕊
▼Click here for a detailed report on SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP’s initiatives and the award ceremony
Exchange of Views with Governor Koike on Women’s Empowerment 🕊 Report on the “Governor’s Meeting with Working Women” Held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Returning to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Under beautiful weather, the “Governor’s Meeting with Working Women” was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building!
When we were shown to the conference room, we saw some familiar faces from the previous award ceremony 👀
This time, companies that received the Grand Prize or Excellence Award in the Business Category of the “FY2023 Tokyo Women’s Empowerment Promotion Grand Prize” participated: Sato Kogyo Co., Ltd., PwC Consulting LLC, PERSOL CAREER CO., LTD., and SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP.
Twelve working women from various departments and positions gathered from each company, feeling excited and wondering, “What should we talk about in this valuable opportunity?”
We waited for Governor Koike’s entrance in the well-organized conference room 👀
Our members were more excited than nervous about this wonderful opportunity
Finally, Governor Koike entered.
The meeting began with opening remarks from moderator Miwa Koyasu (Representative Director of Will Lab Co., Ltd.).
First, Governor Koike gave her greetings. (※Excerpt)
Looking at world rankings, Japan’s performance in women’s empowerment is not very good. I feel it would be a waste not to make better use of women’s thoughts and energy.
As industries, families, and society are changing, the question now is how to drive Tokyo forward with human power.
It is “people” who will pioneer the future.
We need to create an environment where you can demonstrate your abilities. I hope we can have a frank exchange of opinions about your daily work and future careers.
Then came the question time for the Governor from participating members of each company. Questions tied to each company’s background were posed.
From a company in an industry still centered on male members: “Governor, you have worked in the male-dominated world of politics. Could you share your usual mindset toward work, any secrets to overcoming difficulties and stress unique to women, and methods for maintaining motivation?”
Also, from a company focusing on promoting male parental leave and supporting employees working reduced hours due to childcare: “We would like to know about Tokyo Metropolitan Government policies regarding work-life balance and what you expect from companies.”
From SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP, we asked Governor Koike a question based on the “White Paper on Women’s Health and Careers” produced last month by our group company Good and Company in collaboration with a pharmaceutical company.
This survey showed that while many women want to build careers through work, they responded that “health conditions affect work performance and productivity.” We asked what views Governor Koike holds regarding the health issues of working women.
Governor Koike responded:
Current Japan is not fully utilizing women’s empowerment and women’s power. It could be said that women are Japan’s greatest untapped energy source.
On the other hand, women must face female-specific conditions such as menstruation, PMS, and menopause at any age, and there is also the suffering of not being understood by those around them.
To support an environment where these women can be healthy and fulfill both work and family life, we are considering advancing various policies in the future, such as supporting companies that introduce femtech products and employee benefit programs, which will lead to health management and new environments.
Such reassuring words…!
She then introduced the “Women’s Wellness Improvement Committee” website, currently promoted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, where people can learn about women’s unique health issues.
▼Click here for the “Women’s Wellness Improvement Committee”
https://women-wellness.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/
At the end of the meeting:
There are estimates that if we make better use of women’s power, Japan’s GDP could increase by 40 trillion yen. Economic revitalization would increase take-home pay, leading to security about the future, marriage, and child-rearing. I want to share wisdom, solve problems together, and realize a “city that lives with each individual.”
By becoming models of Reiwa-era work styles and thriving, your companies will be revitalized and your families will be happy. I will implement policies while envisioning this bright future.
She emphasized the message that “we should all share wisdom and face these issues together.”
Finally, each company gathered around Governor Koike and moderator Koyasu for commemorative photos 📸
Our participating members also wore expressions of renewed determination 🌱
Various issues associated with “women’s empowerment” that many Japanese companies face. It was clear that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government shares the same level of concern about these issues and is thinking multifacetally about what should be done as a public initiative to resolve them.
As each company works toward improvement, this will eventually lead to results for the metropolitan government, and the country will transform into one where women can work vibrantly.
We glimpsed such hope and felt a sense of mission that we must advance our initiatives both internally and externally even further!
SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP will continue to create an environment where each diverse member can realize their own way of living and working.
We will continue our efforts until the day when the term “women’s empowerment” becomes part of history 🌱
