Empowering Women's Careers through Diverse Leadership Initiatives

In a bold move towards empowering women's careers, Meiji Co., Ltd. has joined the 'Inter-Industry Business Leadership Course 2025'. Launched on July 10, 2023, the program aims to support diverse women’s careers across different industries. Approximately 70 female mid-level employees from 13 participating companies came together to engage in this transformative initiative.

This leadership course not only offers a unique platform for participants to share varied career experiences but it also serves as an opportunity to reflect on the importance of women’s empowerment within organizations. Meiji contributed five of its employees to participate in the program, fostering inclusivity and growth.

As a direct response to the ongoing global conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), the course seeks to create a work environment where all individuals can thrive. By blending diverse talents, the program aspires to cultivate innovative solutions to address food and health challenges, in alignment with Meiji's overarching mission to deliver value to customers.

An Overview of the Program

The 'Inter-Industry Business Leadership Course' was initiated in 2007 under the name 'Women’s Summit Tokyo' with the goal of creating a supportive environment for women at work. The program emphasizes that valuable insights and best practices should not be confined to individual organizations, and that companies across various industries can learn from one another. Over the years, the program has gained traction, attracting organizations committed to advancing women's roles in business.

This year's series consists of three programs and fieldwork sessions, with the first program taking place at Meiji’s headquarters. Activities included keynote speeches, networking lunches, panel discussions, and group work. One of the highlights was the keynote address by Ms. Kumi Ito, a board member of Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. and a trustee at the University of Tsukuba. Her talk titled 'The Evolution of Careers in the Era of Life Shifts Starting from Homemakers' shed light on her personal experiences and insights about career progression.

Participants further engaged in group discussions to reflect on their own career journeys and envision their future aspirations. These interactive sessions are pivotal in enhancing connections and sharing knowledge among participants from various sectors, laying the groundwork for potential collaborations.

The next phases of the program will be conducted online, with the second session scheduled for October 7 and the third on November 13. Activities will include business leader interviews, the creation of 'My Vision' sheets, and presentations rooted in pre-assigned tasks, providing a comprehensive learning experience.

Participating Companies

A diverse range of companies participated in this year’s program, demonstrating a commitment to women’s leadership across various sectors, including: Sapporo Holdings, Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd., Daiwa Institute of Research, Tanabe Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation, DXC Technology Japan, HP Japan, Japan M&A Center Holdings, Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Marui Group Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Engineering Corporation, Meiji Co., Ltd., among others.

Supporting Organizations

The initiative is further supported by consulting firms such as Anchorage Career Consulting and Beansa, providing expertise in program management and operational efficiency.

In the spirit of collaboration and shared learning, the 'Inter-Industry Business Leadership Course 2025' continues to set the stage for an inclusive future, where women not only participate but lead in all facets of their respective industries, paving the way for a sustainable and equitable work environment.