#Japan #Osaka #Gender Equality #Asahi Shimbun #Osaka Award

Asahi Shimbun Earns Prestigious Women's Empowerment Award in Osaka

Asahi Shimbun Company, under the leadership of CEO Katsuhito Tsunoda, has achieved a remarkable feat by being awarded the top prize in the large enterprise category of the 'Osaka City Women's Empowerment Leading Company' Mayor's Award for the fiscal year 2025. This distinction marks the first time a media company has received such recognition, celebrated for its substantial efforts in creating a conducive workplace for employees, increasing the proportion of women in management, and supporting work-life balance. The announcement was made by Osaka City on January 29, with an awards ceremony scheduled for February 4.

Significance of the Award

The City of Osaka praised Asahi Shimbun for its comprehensive initiatives aimed at gender equality, including the formulation of a 'Gender Equality Declaration.' This declaration stipulates that in selecting subjects for interviews or symposium speakers, neither gender should fall below 40%, alongside a target to double the ratio of women in management. The city's recognition highlighted Asahi Shimbun's commitment to transparency and unique approaches in achieving these goals.

Moreover, the company's job shadowing program for young employees has contributed to a notable shift in awareness among managerial positions. In a landmark moment, a female executive, who was the first participant in the job shadowing program, was appointed as the representative of Asahi Shimbun's Osaka headquarters, setting a precedent for increased female representation in leadership.

The city also acknowledged the creation of 'child accompanying leave,' which allows employees to take time off to care for children or attend important events like school entrance ceremonies, demonstrating support for diverse working styles. Additionally, the new bone marrow donor leave policy, along with the option for short-time work for caregiving or side jobs, reflects the company's commitment to supporting various working arrangements.

Leadership and Commitment

In a heartfelt message, CEO Katsuhito Tsunoda expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of the award in the company's historical journey, which began 147 years ago in Osaka. The honor follows the previous receipt of the Excellent Award in the Business Category of the Tokyo Women’s Empowerment Promotion Awards, reaffirming the company's dedication to fostering an inclusive environment that empowers everyone, regardless of gender. Currently, two female executives lead the Osaka headquarters, exemplifying a step toward achieving more cognitive diversity in decision-making.

The job shadowing initiative, which has seen participation from multiple executives including Tsunoda himself, has yielded significant changes in corporate culture, showcasing Asahi Shimbun's determination to continue its reformative journey. Tsunoda reiterated the company’s mission to provide fair and honest reporting while contributing to the realization of a society where everyone can thrive.

Commitment to Gender Equality

Asahi Shimbun established its Gender Equality Declaration in April 2020 to ensure diversity within its reporting and operations. This commitment includes specific numerical goals for the percentage of women featured in the newspaper's 'people' section, female speakers at sponsored symposiums, and the rate of male parental leave uptake. In 2022, the company expanded its declaration through the Gender Equality Declaration Plus, aimed at increasing the representation of women in critical decision-making processes.

To facilitate management and leadership learning, the company has implemented job shadowing, enabling junior employees to spend 50 to 100 hours with executives across various departments. As of now, 28 female employees have benefitted from this initiative, setting the groundwork for the company's ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality.

On each International Women's Day, March 8, Asahi Shimbun actively engages in discussions on gender issues through themed articles and advertising campaigns, reinforcing its focus on gender-related reporting. This pioneering initiative has now inspired other media outlets in Japan, fostering a broader movement towards gender representation in media coverage.

For the 2024 fiscal year, Asahi Shimbun has also been recognized with an Excellent Award in the Business Category of the Tokyo Women’s Empowerment Promotion Awards, making it the first media company to achieve this honor.

For more information on Asahi Shimbun's commitment to gender equality, visit Think Gender.