Empowering Women as a Central Business Strategy: Seminar Invitation

In today’s competitive landscape, companies that harness the potential of women in the workplace not only diversify their perspectives but also pave the way for innovations in products and services and enhance their brand’s strength. Tokyo and the Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Corporation are launching a new initiative aimed at improving managerial effectiveness through the promotion of women and other underrepresented groups in businesses. To kick off this initiative, we are inviting participants to an exciting seminar.

Seminar Details

- Date: June 29, 2028 (Monday)
- Time: 15:00 - 18:00
- Location: Usersbase Marunouchi Office, 2-5-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Capacity: 100 participants (Hybrid format: onsite and online)
- Application Period: May 25 – June 15, 2028

Seminar Agenda

The seminar is titled "WE LEAD TOKYO" and focuses on creating the next core businesses by integrating women's empowerment with stronger business strategies.

Part 1: Why is Women Empowerment the 'Strongest Business Strategy' Now?

In this segment, attendees will explore how redefining women’s empowerment as an investment can maximize the earning potential of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Led by:

- Akira Irikawa, Professor at Waseda University Business School.
- Yuko Sasaki, President and CEO of Change Wave Group.

Part 2: Case Studies and Action Strategies towards Growth with Women in SMEs

This part will share practical examples of SMEs that built new revenue streams by incorporating women’s perspectives. Featured speakers include:

- Hiroyuki Nabeshima, President of Ohashi Transport and Chairman of Seto Traffic Safety Association.
- Shinobu Fujisaki, President and CEO of DomDom Food Service.

Networking Session

This session will facilitate interactions between participants and speakers, fostering deeper discussions and connections.
MC: Ai Kawaguchi, Editor-in-Chief of NewsPicks Studios.

Workshop and Support Initiatives

In addition to the seminar, we are organizing practical workshops designed to turn diverse perspectives into a source of innovation. These workshops aim to facilitate dialogues between management and female leaders, providing an environment conducive to the creation of new value. Participants can expect:

- Identification of new ideas by merging existing assets with female perspectives.
- Learning from successful case studies across different industries, highlighting effective minor strategies that lead to success.

Workshop Dates: Late July 2028 (Two sessions)
Target Participants: Approximately 15 SMEs per session.

Hands-on Support

We offer practical support to actively implement projects and generate 'small success stories', including:

- Expert-led assistance in idea refinement and project realization through collaborative dialogues.

Outcome Presentation Event

In January 2029, we will showcase the project outcomes where participating SMEs present their business ideas in a culmination event, in collaboration with the economic media NewsPicks.
Event Target: Around 15 SMEs.

This initiative aligns with the 2050 Tokyo Strategy, emphasizing support for SMEs as a key industry in promoting sustainable growth.

For more details about application methods, please visit the Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Corporation website: Tokyo Kosha.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding this press release:

- Industry Labor Bureau, Commerce Department, Management Support Division

Phone: 03-5320-4665

For more about the initiative:

- Tokyo Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Corporation, Management Strategy Division

Phone: 03-5822-7232

Encouraging women’s participation in business not only enriches corporate strategy but is essential for fostering innovation and improving overall business performance.