Empowering the Next Generation:
Japanese Women Leaders Delegation

New York & Washington D.C.
June 3-6, 2024

About the Project

Japan Society hosted a delegation of nine mid-career female Japanese professionals from leading Japanese corporations, all engaged in women’s empowerment and diversity initiatives in Japan. The delegation visited the United States, focusing on New York and Washington D.C., during the first week of June. The visit aimed to learn about women’s empowerment and diversity in the United States, establish a network of stakeholders involved in the development of female leaders in both Japan and the United States, and gain valuable knowledge to contribute to the advancement of women’s empowerment in Japan. The program provided delegation members with insights into the landscape of diversity and women’s empowerment and representation in the United States. It also facilitated the exchange of perspectives between the two countries.

In New York, the primary focus was on understanding women’s empowerment and diversity initiatives within the private sector, identifying best practices, and networking with industry leaders. The delegation participated in private roundtables, company site visits, and various networking opportunities.

The visit to Washington D.C. aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and challenges regarding women’s empowerment and diversity in the United States. The delegation engaged in meetings with U.S. government agencies, think tanks, and non-profit organizations, facilitating an exchange of views on addressing challenges at policy and institutional levels.

Delegation Members

A total of nine individuals were part of the delegation, each nominated by their respective company to participate in this program. Please find below their names listed in alphabetical order by company name.

Aya Yokouchi, Executive Director, Human Resources Department, Daiwa Securities Group Inc.
Masako Takizawa, Manager, Work & Welfare Strategies Department, East Japan Railway Company
Yuka Takahashi, Assistant Manager, Social Communication Bureau, KEIDANREN
Mayumi Tanaka, Executive Manager of D&I Promotion Department, Personnel Department, Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
Kei Sasaki, Deputy General Manager, Financial Institution Relations Insurance (Bancassurance) Policy Department, Nippon Life Insurance Company
Rieko Yanagi, Senior Manager, Diversity & Inclusion, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT)
Kaoru Okabayashi, Manager of DE&I Strategy Acceleration, Shiseido
Kaori Taneno, Vice President, CIB Business Group, Strategic Planning Department, Global Banking Unit, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Tomoko Nagafuchi, Assistant Manager, Advanced R&D HR Group, Vehicle R&D Human Resources Department, Human Resources Division, Toyota Motor Corporation

New York

On the first day in New York, the delegation visited Citi, one of the leading global banks led by Ms. Jane Fraser, the first female CEO of a major U.S. bank. This visit focused on learning about Citi’s DEI initiatives, including the importance Citi places on DEI, their strategies for managing and developing diverse talent, and their diversity metrics and index. The delegation met with Ms. Erika Irish Brown (Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer & Global Head of Talent, Citi), Ms. Samanta Santos (Managing Director, Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy, Citi), Ms. Akiko Yamahara (General Counsel, Citi Global Wealth), Dr. Ngan Nguyen (Global Strategic Advisor, Asia Heritage, Citi), and Ms. Li Wang (Director, International Franchise Management, Citigroup).

The delegation also participated in a private roundtable discussion at Japan Society, featuring Ms. Annerys Rodriguez (Global DEI Lead for Strategic Communications, Operations & Workplace Intelligence, MetLife) and Mr. Randall Tucker (Executive Vice President, Chief Inclusion Officer, Mastercard). The speakers provided insights into their roles within their respective companies and elaborated on their organization’s DEI initiatives. The delegation and speakers engaged in a candid and open dialogue, exploring various topics such as the differences in DEI practices between the United States and Japan, the evolution and future of DEI, and strategies for raising awareness and emphasizing the importance of diversity and women’s empowerment to senior management in Japanese companies.

Following the roundtable discussion, Japan Society hosted a reception attended by DEI professionals, facilitating networking opportunities for delegation members with peers based in New York. Additionally, Mr. Kazuya Mori (Director, Japan Information Center, Consulate General of Japan in New York) delivered a welcome remark at the beginning of the reception to greet the Japanese delegation.

On the second day, the delegation began their morning with a private breakfast roundtable at Japan Society, where they had the privilege of engaging with Ambassador Mitsuko Shino (Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations), the first Japanese woman to hold this prestigious diplomatic position. The session proved to be inspiring and productive, as Ambassador Shino shared insights from her personal career journey and offered her unique perspectives as a Japanese woman and mother. Discussions encompassed various topics, such as strategies for fostering awareness among the younger generation within corporations about the significance of diversity and women’s empowerment, the added value that women bring to organizations, and Japan’s ranking in the Global Gender Gap Report.

The delegation visited Bloomberg to gain insights into their diversity and inclusion initiatives. The visit commenced with Ms. Reika Nakagawa (Sales Team Leader, Enterprise Sales, Bloomberg) providing a tour of Bloomberg’s beautiful headquarters. Following the tour, Ms. Katia Porzecanski (New York Bureau Chief, Bloomberg) welcomed the delegation, sharing her personal experience at Bloomberg. Ms. Anna Hirai (Americas D&I Program Manager, Bloomberg) and Ms. Lesley Robinson (Americas News & Media Business Partner, Bloomberg) then gave an in-depth overview of Bloomberg’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. Their discussion covered the importance of diversity and inclusion to Bloomberg, the concept of unconscious bias, and the array of programs available to Bloomberg employees.

Ambassador Mikio Mori from the Consulate General of Japan in New York hosted a luncheon reception for the delegation at his residence. Delegation members had the opportunity to mingle and interact with Ambassador Mori, as well as with relevant professionals from the private sector and the Japanese government. The atmosphere was vibrant and dynamic, contributing to a highly engaging event.

EY hosted the delegation to share their DEI and women’s advancement initiatives. Many EY representatives discussed their experience working at EY, detailing their career journeys and how EY’s programs have supported their advancement. The delegation was particularly interested in learning about the Power Up program, which supports and empowers women. Additionally, Ms. Keiko Honda (Adjunct Professor & Senior Research Scholar, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University), an invited speaker for the session, offered her perspective as a Japanese female professional working in both Japan and the United States and answered questions from the delegation. The delegation met with Mr. Gary Kozlowski (Market and Business Development Partner, Ernst & Young LLP), Ms. Alysia Steinmann (Metro New York City Office Managing Partner of Ernst & Young LLP), Ms. Rebecca Truelove (Indirect Tax Principal, Ernst & Young LLP), Ms. Hiroko Maeda (Tax Managing Director, Ernst & Young LLP), Ms. Kaori Contillo (Audit Managing Director, Ernst & Young LLP), Ms. Danielle Rukin (Audit Partner, Ernst & Young LLP), Ms. Naoko Komjathy (Risk Consulting Senior Manager, Ernst & Young LLP), Ms. Stefanie Coleman (People Advisory Services Partner, Ernst & Young LLP), and Ms. Allison Yamagata (Risk Consulting Senior Manager, Ernst & Young LLP).

Washington D.C.

In Washington D.C., the delegation attended a breakfast session with Dr. Joshua W. Walker (President & CEO, Japan Society). He shared insights about Japan Society’s Women’s Initiative, his experience living in Japan and the United States, and his career journey. He also highlighted the significance of the upcoming U.S. presidential election and the importance of visiting Washington D.C. to gain insights into women’s empowerment and diversity in the United States. The delegation posed various questions to Dr. Walker, covering topics such as former President Trump’s stance on DEI and his personal views on the potential outcome of the presidential election.

The delegation visited Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) to meet with Chair Reta Jo Lewis (President and Chair of the Board of the Directors, Export-Import Bank of the United States), the second woman and first African American woman to hold this position in the organization’s 90-year history. Chair Lewis delivered a powerful message emphasizing that all individuals, including women, are appointed to positions based on their academic backgrounds, career experience, and strong qualifications. She highlighted that women should recognize they hold their positions because they deserve them. Ms. Tamara Maxwell (Acting Senior Vice President, Office of Small Business, Export-Import Bank of the United States) discussed initiatives aimed at supporting women- and minority-owned businesses and enhancing their access to opportunities. Mr. Ufo Eric-Atuanya (Senior Vice President, Global Business Development, Export-Import Bank of the United States) and Mr. John Ahn (Senior Business Development Specialist, Export-Import Bank of the United States) shared their positive experience working with Chair Lewis, noting that her leadership has had a significant impact on the organization.

The delegation visited the White House to meet with Ms. Rachel Vogelstein (Deputy Director and Special Assistant to the President, White House Gender Policy Council; Special Advisor on Gender, White House National Security Council), who provided an overview of the Biden administration’s efforts to advance gender equality. She outlined key priorities, notably advancing women’s economic participation and the implementation of related programs. Among these initiatives is the endeavor to closing the gender gap in the blue and green sectors, where women are significantly underrepresented. She also highlighted collaborative efforts with partners on women’s human rights issues, citing women’s rights in Afghanistan and Iran. In addition, she underscored the pivotal role of the private sector in advancing women’s economic participation and equality. During the meeting, the delegation discussed with Ms. Vogelstein on various topics, including the progression of gender equality across industries, the gender pay gap in Japan, and the development of elder care infrastructure systems.

The delegation met with Dr. Sheila Smith (John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Studies, Council on Foreign Relations) over lunch at The Hay-Adams Hotel. She shared her career journey, including her experience working with Japanese politicians and the challenges she faced. She discussed her transition to her current role at Council on Foreign Relations, emphasizing the importance of workplace equity and diversity. In addition to her professional journey, Dr. Smith talked about her personal life, particularly her experience as a working mother and how she managed to balance her professional and family responsibilities. Her story resonated with many delegation members. She offered valuable tips, advice, and encouragement, highlighting the importance of having a voice.

The delegation visited the U.S. Department of State to meet with Dr. Jennifer L. Hawkins (Division Chief (Acting) Women, Peace and Security, Secretary Office of Global Women’s Issues, U.S. Department of State). During the meeting, Dr. Hawkins elaborated on the mission of the Office of Global Women’s Issues and its three priority areas: Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), women’s economic security, and gender-based violence prevention and response. Dr. Hawkins also highlighted Japan’s significant involvement in these areas, emphasizing the strong government-to-government partnership and Foreign Minister Kamikawa’s leadership in advancing the WPS agenda. The delegation also participated in an insightful discussion with Dr. Hawkins, posing relevant questions about women’s empowerment. They inquired about best practices for promoting awareness of women’s empowerment among male colleagues. The delegation also met with Ms. Kayla McGill (WPS Policy Advisor, Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, U.S. Department of State) and Ms. Nora Riddle (Economic Policy Advisor, Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, U.S. Department of State).

The delegation visited the Embassy of Japan to meet with Ms. Sahana Dharmapuri (Vice President, Our Secure Future: Women Make the Difference), Ms. Yulia Shalomov (Program & Operations Lead, Our Secure Future), Ms. Kelly Case (Managing Director, Strategy for Humanity), and Mr. Luke Englebert (Senior Program Coordinator for Democracy Programs, McCain Institute). During the meeting, Ms. Dharmapuri discussed Our Secure Future’s activities and their mandate to strengthen the WPS agenda. She emphasized the importance of changing the power balance in society by increasing women’s participation in decision-making, highlighting that politics is often still male-dominated. Ms. Case presented their Engaging Male Leaders Program, which aims to build a community of male allies within the WPS framework. This program seeks to foster the involvement of male leaders in supporting and promoting the WPS agenda. Mr. Englebert, who also serves as Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, elaborated on the McCain Institute’s DEI efforts to hire more women and bring more women into leadership roles. He noted that 80% of their staff are women, with three leadership positions held by women. Additionally, a representative from the Embassy of Japan provided background information on the WPS initiative and Foreign Minister Kamikawa’s involvement in this area.

Mr. Koichi Ai (Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan) graciously hosted the delegation for dinner at his residence in Washington D.C. During the dinner, the delegation members shared their experience and reflections on their interactions with professionals in New York and Washington D.C. Many expressed that they had gained valuable insights and perspectives, feeling empowered to excel in their careers and contribute to the DEI field. They look forward to bringing this newfound knowledge back to Japan and sharing it with their colleagues in their respective companies.

Testimonials from Delegation Members:

I gained numerous perspectives and insights that I would not have obtained while working in Japan. I learned that the meaning and scope of “diversity” vary based on historical and cultural backgrounds. I received valuable information, knowledge and best practices that will help shape our company’s strategy. Additionally, I felt extremely motivated and inspired by listening to individuals who built their careers in even more challenging environments than Japan. I now have many role models to look up to as I envision my own career path.

I had the opportunity to learn about DEI initiatives of various companies and government organizations. Through discussions, Q&A sessions, and conversations, I was able to hear candid insights and concerns from those directly involved in these initiatives, which provided me with many valuable insights and tips. Moreover, the discussions with women excelling in various fields was highly stimulating for me.

As a DE&I practitioner, I was encouraged by the program’s comprehensive structure, which effectively covered both emotional and knowledge-based aspects, while also empowering the participants. Connecting with like-minded peers was particularly reassuring. It became clear to me that DE&I and diversity initiatives won’t be fully resolved within our generation. The crucial task is how well we can prepare to pass these efforts on to the next generation. We need to approach these social issues as integral parts of our corporate responsibilities, rather than just as job duties. While Japanese companies still have limited influence in addressing government policies, this experience reinforced the importance of companies, where many citizens are employed, acting as advocates for the public, similar to other countries.

I found myself greatly empowered and reaffirmed my commitment to focusing on initiatives related to diversity, particularly in promoting women’s advancement. I aspire to strengthen my involvement not only as an individual within a company but also across sectors, contributing to broader initiatives and designs.

All of the discussions were very enlightening, but Ambassador Mitsuko Shino’s remarks left the strongest impression on me. Her wealth of experience, combined with a broad and insightful perspective taking Japan’s context into account, offered invaluable insights that were highly thought-provoking and informative.

The discussion with Citi was very informative. While studying best practices of leading companies in DEI, I was able to receive detailed insights, including frameworks and approaches used by Citi. This was extremely valuable.

This experience has been truly empowering for me. I felt that I had a number of flaws and lacked confidence in my career. However, through meaningful discussions and conversations during this visit, I came to understand that I don’t need to feel this way. Instead, I realized that I should live with a sense of pride, acknowledge the value I bring to those around me, and embrace my unique strengths.

I gained a deep understanding of the significance and motivation behind promoting DEI within global companies and the role of advancing women’s participation within this framework. In addition, through meetings with public institutions and stakeholders, I had the opportunity to consider Japan’s role in the world. This provided valuable insights that I believe should be taken into account in DEI promotion and throughout my career.

I was not only impressed by the meaningful content of the delegation program but also deeply inspired by the depth of thought, leadership, and excellence of the other program participants on DE&I. The shared insights on initiatives and challenges of other companies, along with the networking opportunities, motivate me to strive towards becoming a leader as exceptional as they are.

Empowering the Next Generation: Japanese Women Leaders Delegation is made possible by the Consulate General of Japan in New York.

Business & Policy Forum is generously supported by Japan Society Global Leaders & Corporate Partners.

GLOBAL LEADERS

CORPORATE PARTNERS

Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.