#Japan #Tokyo #Gender Equality #Kidzania Tokyo #Unconscious Bias

Unconscious Bias Week: An Engaging Experience for Families

From October 31 to November 6, 2023, Tokyo will host the Unconscious Bias Week at KidZania Tokyo, aiming to empower children to break free from gender stereotypes and explore their true potential.

This event, which started in 2023, encourages both children and parents to participate in workshops and interactive activities. The feedback from past participants has been overwhelmingly positive; many expressed that the workshops have helped them gain confidence in pursuing their dreams.

Event Highlights

1. Event Duration: The event will run from October 31 (Friday) to November 6 (Thursday).
2. Location: KidZania Tokyo, 2-4-9 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo (Urban Dock Lalaport Toyosu, 3rd Floor North Port).
3. Hours: Two sessions will be held daily: the first from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and the second from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
4. Participation Fee: Attendance is free, though standard entry fees for KidZania Tokyo apply.

Workshops for Children

The event will feature a workshop where kids aged 3 to 15 will create their own challenge cards (akin to business cards) as a way to declare their ambitions.

• - Max Capacity: 6 children per session
• - Duration: Approximately 30 minutes each session
• - Objective: Learn about unconscious bias, become aware of personal misconceptions, and declare their aspirations through a creative card-making activity.

Sample Workshop Activities

Participants will engage in discussions and activities designed to encourage self-reflection and critical thinking about gender norms in various professions.

Family-friendly Voting Survey

Another exciting component of the week is a family-oriented voting survey, targeting children aged 3 to 15 and their parents. This survey will take about 5 minutes and will invite families to consider their perceptions of unconscious bias in everyday life, fostering meaningful conversations at home.

About KidZania Tokyo

KidZania Tokyo is a unique place where children aged 3 to 15 can learn about social structures through immersive role-play experiences. Designed to resemble a real city at two-thirds the scale, it features real company pavilions, allowing kids to explore various careers and services.

For more information, please visit the official KidZania Tokyo website: KidZania Tokyo.

The Impact of Unconscious Bias

According to a survey conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 2022, around 60% of parents and 40% of children and teachers believed that certain professions are more suitable for specific genders. A follow-up survey in 2023 involving 10,000 high school students confirmed that the perception of gendered job suitability intensifies with age, particularly in older students. This emphasizes the crucial need for early education on unconscious biases to foster a more inclusive mindset in future generations.

Supportive Initiatives

As part of this initiative, on September 25, 2023, a new special edition of the Yomiuri KODOMO newspaper will be distributed. The newspaper, which will reach about 320,000 elementary school students in Tokyo, will feature interviews with professionals from diverse backgrounds, challenging gender stereotypes in various careers.

This collaboration aims to ignite discussions around the concept of gender-neutral career choices among children and families, leveraging both educational and social perspectives to promote equality.

Let's take the opportunity to participate in the Unconscious Bias Week and encourage our children to realize their endless possibilities!