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Japan Women's University Marks International Women’s Day

Japan Women's University (JWU), located in Bunkyo City, Tokyo, is set to host an online lecture on March 7th, in honor of International Women’s Day. The lecture, titled "Cross-Border Practices: Understanding the Meaning of Living Internationally," will be delivered to commemorate the university’s ongoing commitment to female empowerment and international education.

Founded in 1901, JWU has been a pioneer in women's higher education and lifelong learning, producing numerous graduates who excel on global stages. As we navigate a rapidly changing world, having a global perspective and acquiring international knowledge and experience is crucial for creating new values.

In line with its commitment to encouraging women, the university organizes activities every year around March 8th. This year’s event celebrates the upcoming name change of the Literature Department and the introduction of the JWU Career Life Center set to open in April 2026. The esteemed lecturer for this event, Yoko Yonezawa, is an alumna of JWU’s Japanese Literature Department and currently teaches Japanese language at the University of Sydney.

Yoko Yonezawa's Background

Yoko Yonezawa graduated from the Japanese Literature program at JWU in 1993. After gaining experience as a company employee and a Japanese language instructor in Japan, she pursued a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics at the Australian National University in 2002. Since then, she has taught Japanese in primary, secondary, and high schools in the Northern Territory of Australia. In 2017, she earned her PhD in Linguistics, subsequently working at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, and now she is part of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney, where she specializes in Japanese Studies.

Event Details

• - Date and Time: March 7, 2026, from 13:30 to 14:30 (JST)
• - Format: Online via Zoom
• - Participation: Open to all and free of charge

To participate, interested individuals must register by March 5th at 23:59. Click here to register.

Significance of International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th, traces its origins back to a demonstration by female workers in New York in 1904, who advocated for women’s suffrage. It was later proposed during the International Socialist Conference in Copenhagen in 1910 to be recognized as a day to fight for women’s political freedom and equality. Recognized officially by the United Nations in 1975, International Women’s Day aims to eliminate discrimination against women and promote gender equality. Often symbolized by the yellow mimosa flower, this day serves as a platform to highlight the challenges women face and the achievements they make.

Changes to JWU’s Literature Department and the Launch of the Career Life Center

In April 2026, JWU plans to change the name of its Japanese Literature Department to the Japanese Language and Literature Department, and the History Department to the History and Culture Department. The new structure will emphasize Japanese Language and Literature, along with related disciplines like Chinese literature and information science.

In addition, the JWU Career Life Center will be launched on the Mejiro campus. This center aims to establish a robust career education and support system, tailored to the evolving needs of students and graduates, as well as the expectations of employers. Through this initiative, JWU strives to promote lifelong career development for women in collaboration with various organizations, cementing the university’s commitment to supporting graduates throughout their professional journeys.

JWU’s Evolving Educational Landscape

JWU is well-regarded as Japan’s first institution dedicated to organized higher education for women, celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2021. With a comprehensive educational environment, including the only science faculty at a private women’s university, JWU continues to innovate in its offerings. Last year, JWU launched a Department of Architectural Design, and this year inaugurated a Department of Food Science. Plans are also underway for further expansions, including the potential establishment of a Department of Economics and a Department of Fashion Design in the coming years.

For additional details, please visit the official website: Japan Women's University.