In a recent announcement from the Great Place To Work® Institute Japan, the results of the 2026 Women's Workplace Satisfaction Rankings were unveiled on March 5. This initiative recognizes organizations that have implemented effective practices to enhance women's engagement at work. While Japan continues to struggle with a severe labor shortage, promoting women's advancement has become vital for sustainable corporate growth. However, the country's ranking on the Global Gender Gap Index for 2025 stands disappointing at 118th out of 148 nations, highlighting the need for substantial improvements.
The Great Place To Work® Institute Japan focuses on the notion that simply setting numerical targets for female leadership ratios is insufficient. Numerous companies have set such targets; however, many face significant challenges, including women's lack of career motivation and the inability to nurture candidates for management roles. It has become evident that establishing adequate systems alone will not lead to genuine advancement for women in the workplace.
GPTW Japan firmly believes that the solution lies in fostering a culture of satisfaction at work. By creating environments where female employees feel valued and encouraged about their careers, companies can ensure sustainable progress towards women's empowerment.
The rankings highlight successful companies as role models in building such supportive environments, assisting many others in their efforts. The Women's Rankings were determined based on employee survey results, specifically identifying companies that excel in promoting workplace satisfaction for women. This year, the survey encompassed 683 participating companies, from which 30 were selected in various size categories based on specific performance criteria.
Ranking Overview
The rankings classified companies into three size categories:
- - Large Enterprises (1,000+ employees)
- - Medium Enterprises (100-999 employees)
- - Small Enterprises (25-99 employees)
The evaluation criteria included employee survey results focused on women's experiences within the organization and basic company data, including women's employment ratios. The ranking results illustrate how companies are successfully enhancing the working experience for women.
Top Companies by Category
The top companies recognized across different categories include notable names like Hilton, which took the lead in the large enterprise section, alongside noteworthy firms such as Salesforce Japan and SmartHR. Each of these organizations has implemented notable practices that support women's careers.
For instance, Hilton's robust welfare programs create a stable employment environment necessary for women to thrive, while Frontier Holdings achieved the top position in the medium-sized category by promoting a culture where all employees can equitably pursue challenges. In the small enterprises category, Event21 has established an inclusive culture that allows women to excel in managerial roles, showcasing a commitment to gender equality.
White Paper on Best Practices
In conjunction with this ranking, GPTW Japan is releasing a white paper titled "35 Examples of Initiatives to Enhance Women's Workplace Satisfaction," which outlines best practices from the 30 recognized companies. This resource aims to provide actionable insights for organizations striving to promote women's advancement in the workplace. You can download the white paper
here.
About Great Place To Work® Institute
The Great Place To Work® Institute operates globally, surveying over 21,000 companies across 170 countries annually to assess workplace satisfaction and employee engagement. Companies meeting certain criteria are recognized as having a great work environment and are published in leading media outlets worldwide. The methodology used is backed by 30 years of data, serving various purposes such as recruitment branding and investor relations. In Japan, the Great Place To Work® Institute Japan (GPTW Japan) operates under a license from the global institute, bringing local insights into the global conversation about workplace satisfaction.