Resolving the Gender Gap and Empowering Women in Japan

Building on insights and experiences accumulated by Shiseido, we partner with international institutions, private enterprises, municipalities, and other related organizations to work towards gender equality, including women’s financial independence and participation in decision-making. We strive to nurture a society where everyone can feel empowered to live their life freely by having fair opportunities regardless of gender.

Resolving the Gender Gap and Empowering Women in Japan

As a leader in achieving gender equality throughout Japanese society, Shiseido promotes a variety of activities to empower women by constantly upgrading our internal initiatives.

Shiseido DE&I Lab

At the Shiseido DE&I Lab established in 2023, we explore ways to leverage the power of diversity in our joint work with Tokyo University researchers. We study the process by which the empowerment of diverse human resources facilitates innovation by introducing different values and ideas and aim to verify the relationship between diversity and corporate growth. Additionally, we disseminate our findings broadly throughout society, thereby contributing to the growth of the Japanese economy through DE&I.

SHISEIDO DE&I Lab

Click here for the Shiseido DE&I Lab

Participation in the 30% Club Japan for Sound Gender Balance in Corporate Decision-Making Bodies

The 30% Club Japan aims to increase the proportion of women on the boards^*1 of companies in Japan. As part of a global initiative that originated in the United Kingdom, the Japan chapter was inaugurated in 2019, and Phase 2 started in 2022 with the goal of achieving women directors for 30% of the directors’ positions^*2 at TOPIX 100 companies by 2030. Masahiko Uotani, Shiseido’s Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Chairman, and CEO, continues to serve as the chairperson for Phase 2, as well as for Phase 1, leading the activities of the TOPIX President’s Committee, which consists of 34 chairpersons and presidents of companies^*3 listed on the TOPIX 100 and TOPIX Mid 400.

The TOPIX President’s Committee was held 9 sessions^*4 as of the end of 2023 with a total participation of 172 chairpersons and presidents of the TOPIX 100 and TOPIX Mid 400. To lead innovations, it is necessary to nurture an organizational culture with high adaptability to change, and it is considered extremely important to achieve gender balance among management executives (such as executive officers and organization head positions) who have many team members and substantial influence on daily operations. In addition to the ongoing theme, the appointment of women to executive officer and organization head positions, there were lively discussions and case studies from different member companies on broad topics, such as fostering an organizational culture that leverages diversity. On the project management team organized by operation-level leaders of member companies (about 80 members from 34 companies), cross-company projects have been organized to tackle three gateways that inhibit the career development of women, which was clarified through the TOPIX President's Committee, by promoting the implementation of concrete measures to resolve common issues, including developing career awareness among young women, sharing best practices for combining work with childcare, and holding exchange meetings between women candidates for executive positions with the President’s Committee leaders.

In Phase 2, a fully integrated approach to influencing society through various stakeholders collaborating with companies, which is characteristic of the 30% Club Japan, is going into full operation. Specific actions have been taken through the collaboration of the Investor Group of 33 institutional investors, the University Group of 9 universities, and the TOPIX President’s Committee.

With its activities during the past 5 years, the ratio of women on the boards of companies comprising the TOPIX President’s Committee rose by 12.5 percentage points to 23% compared to the average ratio for all listed companies in Japan. It has also brought about further progress for women’s participation in corporate decision-making, such as advancement to previously untraditional posts, including directors of business operations and manufacturing operations. Shiseido will lead the way in transforming Japanese companies to break away from the current homogeneity by promoting the active participation of women, thereby leading innovations.

*1：Women on the boards are defined as directors and auditors.
*2：Proportion of women members on the boards of directors at TOPIX 100 companies (including auditors at companies with a board of auditors)
*3：As of the end of December 2023
*4：As of the end of December 2023

Click here for the 30% Club Japan

Meeting of the TOPIX President’s Committee

30% Club

Empowering Women through Collaboration with Local Governments

Yukari Suzuki, Shiseido’s Director, Senior Executive Officer, and Chief D&I Officer (at the time) participated seven times in the Tokyo Living Conference sponsored by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government as a committee member in 2023. The objective of this conference is to facilitate discussions between experts and the Toyo Metropolitan Government regarding various social systems and corporate organizational situations related to the work styles and lifestyles of Tokyo residents. At the fourth conference, she presented Shiseido’s efforts to promote DE&I and emphasized the need for empowering and developing women instead of merely protecting them through programs and systems. Additionally, she delivered a keynote speech at an event of the “Vision Network” by Female Governors and Mayors in Tochigi—hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Yamagata Prefecture Government, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other organizations. During the speech, she introduced specific initiatives aimed at promoting the advancement of women within Shiseido.

Furthermore, in 2023, Shiseido personnel were invited to deliver lectures on gender equality and the promotion of women's empowerment by approximately 40 sponsor companies, local governments, universities, ministries, and various organizations; these lectures reached a total of 7,245 attendees. The lectures covered a wide range of topics, including the importance of top management's commitment to developing women leaders, Shiseido's history of promoting women's empowerment, and various human resources measures to change mindsets. Some of the major events were the Fukushima Women’s Participation and Advancement Symposium 2023 hosted by Fukushima Prefecture and the Tochigi Women's Empowerment Support Forum 2023 hosted by Tochigi Prefecture. We will continue to dedicate ourselves to promoting positive social change by applying the knowledge and experience we have gained through our efforts to advance gender equality.

Tochigi Women's Empowerment Support Forum 2023

Childcare Support

In the drive to make the childcare environment better through company cooperation, Shiseido launched a childcare business in 2017 with the establishment of KODOMOLOGY Co. Ltd., which focuses on the entrusted operation of in-house childcare facilities for businesses. In addition to the operation of in-house nurseries within Shiseido, such as KANGAROOM Shiodome (2003) ^*1 and KANGAROOM Kakegawa (2017), KODOMOLOGY supports management of 3 childcare facilities at other companies in Kanagawa Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture (2 facilities in Shizuoka and 1 facility in Kanagawa)^*2. Since 2022, we have offered the parenting training program “KODOMOLOGY Ikutore—Preparing for Paternity Leave” at KANGAROOM Shiodome in response to the new legal requirements for paternity leave in Japan. In April 2023, we introduced KANGAROOM+, a parenting support service available to employees of Shiseido and partner companies, from the prenatal stage through elementary school age. Starting in November 2023, KANGAROOM+ expanded to offer postpartum support service for employees with children under 3 months of age. This service features childcare professionals certified in postpartum care visit employees' homes to assist with housework and childcare during these early months.

*1：KODOMOLOGY CO.,LTD. closed Kangaroom Shiodome at the end of March 2023 and started the childcare support program, “KANGAROOM +” for employees of Shiseido and alliance partners in April 2023.
*2：As of the end of December 2023

Click here for information on employee support in balancing work and childcare/family care.

Click here for press releases on the postpartum support offered at KANGAROOM+

Click here for the corporate website of KODOMOLOGY CO.,LTD. (in Japanese only)

Children playing at the in-house daycare facility KANGAROOM Kakegawa

KANGAROOM+ began providing postpartum support

Supporting Women Researchers in Natural Sciences

The proportion of women researchers in Japan is low compared to Western nations, remaining at roughly 18.3%^*1. To improve this situation, Shiseido is offering continued support to women researchers in Japan who are engaged in world-leading, innovative research in natural sciences. The Shiseido Female Researcher Science Grant has been providing support in this area since 2007. Now in its 16th year, 2023, we awarded research grants to 10 women researchers. This subsidy is distinguished for its versatility in providing support to women in their life events such as childbirth and childcare, so long as the objective of the funding is research. To date, it has contributed to the research results and the career development of 159 researchers.
The theme for the 2023 award presentation ceremony held at the Shiseido Global Innovation Center (Yokohama) was “Building a Network of Women Researchers for a Sustainable Society.” We surveyed past award recipients^*2 about the current situation of women researchers and found that over 80% reported facing challenges due to their gender. Many shared their struggles, such as balancing family and work, a lack of understanding due to the underrepresentation of women in the research community, and the absence of colleagues and networks they can confide in. These responses highlighted the difficulties faced by women researchers in balancing family and work due to deep-rooted gender roles in Japanese society, as well as their isolation and concerns about career development. On the positive side, recipients noted several benefits from winning the award beyond the financial grant. They mentioned that exchanges with fellow award winners inspired new ideas, while the award also provided emotional support, facilitated interactions with Shiseido researchers, and increased their recognition.

*1：Based on the 2023 Report on the Survey of Research and Development by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication
*2：The survey was conducted from November 16-30, 2022, and completed by 74 recipients of the Shiseido Female Researcher Science Grant (sent to 119 recipients.)

Click here for details on the Shiseido Female Researcher Science Grant