#Japan #Tokyo #Women Empowerment #Diversity #Co-ALIVE

Empowering Women in the Food Industry: Insights from Co-ALIVE Seminar

In a significant initiative to promote gender diversity and inclusion within the food industry, six notable companies—Sapporo Holdings, Nichirei Foods, Nisshin Seifun Group, Morinaga Confectionery, Morinaga Dairy, and Lotte Holdings—joined forces to host a special seminar titled "LADY, GO UP!" as part of their DE&I promotion project known as "Co-ALIVE." This program aims to enhance organizational values and development opportunities for women, creating a vibrant ecosystem of support and guidance.

Background of Co-ALIVE

"Co-ALIVE" symbolizes a collaborative approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives, encouraging all employees to engage with management perspectives on diversity. With a mission to not only boost corporate value but also to advance the food industry as a whole, Co-ALIVE offers various programs aimed at nurturing diverse career paths, including the forums "SPIRAL UP!" and knowledge-sharing programs like "Meet UP!" and the LADY, GO UP! seminar.

The LADY, GO UP! Seminar

Held over two days, the LADY, GO UP! seminar focused on the experiences and insights of women employees across the participating companies. Designed specifically for women in the food industry, the seminar facilitated an environment where participants could interact with one another and gain insights from role models in diverse career paths. The event featured keynote speeches and workshops aimed at empowering attendees to reflect on their careers and aspirations.

Day 1: Keynote Address

The first day kicked off with a keynote address from Miki Oikawa, a former CEO of Pola and now a board member of MASHING UP. Her presentation, titled "Opening the Doors of Possibility—There is No One Shape of a Leader," encouraged participants to rethink their views on leadership and career paths.

Oikawa shared her own career journey, emphasizing that leadership is not about perfection but rather an evolving journey filled with both challenges and successes. She likened the growth to climbing a mountain, where obstacles are encountered at each stage, and reflection plays a crucial role in progress. This resonated well with many attendees, who found her candid stories relatable and inspiring. Her pivotal moment came when she realized the importance of supportive colleagues during difficult times, which shifted her perspective on her work.

Oikawa further explained the significance of having crucial dialogues with supervisors, recounting a pivotal question posed to her: “What do you want to achieve after passing the section chief exam?” This questioning opened new avenues of thought for her about her commitment to her organization and what excellence truly meant, thus beginning a personal quest for developing high-performing teams.

Day 2: Panel Discussions

The second day featured a panel discussion where women leaders from various companies shared their experiences using life curves to illustrate their professional journeys. The session fostered openness among participants, with many sharing feelings about their individual challenges and victories.

Feedback from participants highlighted the value of learning from established role models and peers in similar industries. Many expressed appreciation for the candidness of discussions which allowed for sharing insights that are often challenging to discuss in their own work environments.

Overall, participants acknowledged that the seminar provided them with fresh perspectives and energy, encouraging them to break free from restrictive beliefs about their careers and embrace their unique paths without hesitation.

Conclusion

The success of the LADY, GO UP! seminar demonstrates the meaningful impact that initiatives like Co-ALIVE can have in promoting women’s empowerment in traditionally male-dominated industries. Through shared experiences, mentorship, and the establishment of a supportive network, women in the food industry are not only able to envision their careers more expansively but are also encouraged to take proactive steps towards achieving their goals.

By fostering an inclusive culture and providing platforms for collaboration, Co-ALIVE is truly making strides in evolving the landscape of women's roles in the food industry. Future events promise to continue this momentum, as they inspire more women to rise in their careers within the food sector.