Marui Group Achieves Historic Ninth Consecutive Selection as Nadeshiko Brand

Marui Group's Remarkable Achievement in Gender Equality

Marui Group, headquartered in Nakano, Tokyo, has once again made headlines by being recognized for the ninth consecutive year as a Nadeshiko Brand by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. This notable selection highlights the company's unwavering commitment to promoting women's empowerment and creating a supportive workplace. Furthermore, Marui Group has also been acknowledged as a 'Notable Company' for six consecutive years, showcasing its distinctive initiatives towards women's active participation.

What is the Nadeshiko Brand?

The Nadeshiko Brand is an accolade that promotes listed companies excelling in women's empowerment, particularly those whose initiatives contribute to long-term corporate value. From its inception in 2012, this program has aimed to encourage investments and accelerate efforts towards gender diversity by shining a light on companies that prioritize women's achievements.

In this year's 14th iteration, a total of 184 companies participated. The criteria for being selected as a Nadeshiko Brand include significant progress in supporting women's careers and fostering a workplace conducive to both male and female employees. Marui Group is proud to be the first company to achieve the remarkable feat of being selected for nine years in a row.

Notable Companies

Within the Nadeshiko initiative, companies are also evaluated based on their outstanding approaches to promoting women's empowerment. Marui Group has been recognized in the category addressing 'solutions to health issues faced by female employees.' This recognition is a testament to the company's holistic approach in creating a workplace that genuinely supports women's health and well-being.

Marui Group has implemented various initiatives that develop both the work culture and practical support for female employees. Training programs focusing on gender-specific health issues have been conducted for all staff, including executives and managers, fostering a supportive environment. Notably, the company has revised its policy on menstrual leave, transitioning it from unpaid to paid, allowing employees to take this leave once a month, while also permitting paid leave for those experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Such measures enable staff to take necessary breaks without fear of financial loss, improving overall work-life balance.

Ongoing Efforts in Women's Empowerment

To further progress gender diversity within the leadership hierarchy, Marui Group has established its unique measure, the 'Women’s Empowerment Index.' Initiated in 2013, this initiative set ambitious goals aimed at shifting company culture and employee mindset towards gender equality, with aspirations for completion by 2020.

Following this trajectory, the company reported an impressive 99% influence in integrating women's empowerment principles, alongside achieving a 100% parental leave uptake among male employees for three consecutive years. However, the number of female leaders fell short of set targets, attributed to the overlap of key life events like promotions and childbirth.

Acknowledging this challenge, Marui Group has introduced a reinvented Women’s Empowerment Index, addressing factors hindering progress such as traditional gender role perceptions. This enhanced index now considers men's parental leave uptake as a vital metric, with a target set for completion by 2025, aimed at making progress transparent throughout the organization.

In 2024, the company reported that its male parental leave rate had maintained a perfect 100% for seven years, with substantial improvements in longer leave durations. Out of nine initial goals, six were completed ahead of expectations, showcasing an impressive commitment to advancing gender equality.

Looking Ahead

The Women’s Empowerment Index is closely monitored at both management and board meetings, with ongoing assessments ensuring that Marui Group remains dedicated to fostering a diverse decision-making structure that encourages innovation.

Marui Group remains an exemplary model for promoting gender equality in the workplace, recognizing that these efforts not only benefit women but enhance overall workplace culture and employee satisfaction.

For more insights into Marui Group's initiatives regarding women's empowerment and work-life balance support, be sure to visit their dedicated pages:

About Marui Group

- Company Name: Marui Group Co., Ltd.
- Headquarters: Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164-8701
- CEO: Hiroshi Aoi
- Main Subsidiaries: Epos Card Co., Ltd., Marui Co., Ltd., M&C System Co., Ltd.
- Official Website: Marui Group Official Site