ARCHIVED Women in Work: What Can Companies Do to Level the Playing Field?

Date
Tuesday 4 March 2025
Time
5.30pm for 6.00pm

Venue
SMBC
100 Liverpool Street
London EC2M 2AT

Booking Details
Free - Booking essential 
This event is open to everyone, with members given priority.

Please note that this event is now fully-booked. Please sign up to be added to the waiting list. 

In March 2024, the World Bank ranked Japan last of OECD nations for gender equality, while the World Economic Forum’s 2023 ‘Global Gender Gap’ ranked Japan 125th out of 146 countries. While Japan facilitates women doing well in education and health outcomes, the gender gap in political engagement and economic participation remains stark. Neither arguments based on rights nor those based on the economic virtue of better utilising half the population have yet made a significant difference here.

The first panel discussion on this theme focused on the macro-context within Japan. This time we shift our focus to what companies can do to better facilitate and support women within the workplace, drawing on experience of what has worked well and lessons learned. How can companies create a level playing field?

There will be a sake reception immediately after the lecture where you will be able to network with others who are eager to see change in this area.

The Japan Society is extremely grateful to leading Corporate Partner, SMBC, for hosting this event. We would also like to thank Sake Samurai for generously providing sake for the reception.

Moderator:

Kana Inagaki serves as the FT’s industry editor, having previously served as Tokyo bureau chief. Before that, she was the FT’s Tokyo correspondent since 2014. Earlier in her career, she reported on Japan at the Wall Street Journal, Kyodo News and the Associated Press. Kana writes extensively on the automotive industry but has recently written in-depth pieces on China, including on Elon Musk ‘wild card’ role in connecting the US and China.

Panellists:

Yoko Dochi is a Japanese businesswoman with over 35 years of experience working as a senior executive at some of Japan’s leading multinational companies. She now serves on the board of Kirin Holdings Company, Rinnai Corporation and Nippo Ltd. Until 2023, Yoko was Managing Partner at SoftBank Group International in London and Managing Director at SoftBank Group Corp in Tokyo leading investor relations globally. Previously, from 2001 to 2018, Yoko was the EMEA head of investor relations for Toyota Motor Corporation. Yoko originally graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1987 just as Japan’s Equal Employment Opportunity Law was enacted. Yet, she was one of the only five women hired on the graduate trainee programme along with 95 men. Unsurprisingly, Yoko has since championed gender diversity at corporate Japan both as an executive and in the board room.

Jane Sethi is Chief Human Resources Officer for EMEA at SMBC. A seasoned Human Resources professional with 25 years of experience in financial services across multiple regions, she excels in aligning business objectives with people strategies, leveraging her strengths in relationship building and team development. Jane is recognised for her communication and negotiation skills, and her proven track record in executing strategic initiatives. A strong advocate for gender diversity and inclusion, Jane has successfully implemented programs supporting women in the workplace, such as launching mentorship programs, establishing flexible working policies, and driving gender pay equity. Her experience has shown that these efforts not only enhance employee satisfaction and retention but also drive better business outcomes.

David Mitchinson is a Founding Partner and CIO of Zennor Asset Management. David has over 25 years investment experience in Japan, HK, UAE and London at firms including JPMorgan, ADIA and TT International. David and James Salter launched Zennor in 2020 as a highly engaged, Japan focused boutique with a strong emphasis on the ongoing governance revolution in Japan. 

Video Message:

Julia Longbottom CMG, British Ambassador to Japan
Julia Longbottom was appointed British Ambassador to Japan in March 2021. She has spent over half her career as a diplomat working on North-East Asian affairs. This includes two previous postings to the British Embassy in Tokyo, first as Second Secretary Political in 1990 to 1993, then Minister and Deputy Head of Mission in 2012 to 2016. In the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London, she led on Hong Kong Nationality and Immigration issues in 1994 to 1997, and headed the Far Eastern, then China, Department in 2009 to 2012. She is a Japanese speaker, and the first woman to hold the post of British Ambassador to Japan.

If you have any questions, please call the Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email us at: events@japansociety.org.uk.

Hosted by:

Sake reception supported by: