Launch of "30% Club Japan" Aiming to increase the proportion of female executives

The "30% Club," which operates globally in countries like the UK and US with the goal of increasing the proportion of female executives in companies, has launched its activities in Japan as the "30% Club Japan." It held a press conference and launch event at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo in Chiyoda Ward on July 17.
This club is a campaign where corporate leaders become members, recognize gender issues as "urgent business challenges," and proactively drive diversity initiatives themselves.
Its slogan is "GROWTH THROUGH DIVERSITY."

■ Press Conference

At the outset, Michiko Tadomatsu (Senior Manager, Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting), the club's Founder and Campaign Manager, explained the club.
The club originated as a campaign in the UK in 2010 and now operates in 14 countries, including Japan. Its defining features are that it does not adopt a "quota system" (setting a predetermined target for the proportion of women in a company), it has no legal status as an NPO or NGO, and it is entirely volunteer-run.
Current membership stands at 37 individuals (including 11 from 10 TOPIX 100 companies), with three working groups established.
The club's goal is to increase the proportion of female executives at TOPIX 100 companies to 10% by 2020 and 30% by 2030. It introduced its inaugural Chair, Masahiko Uotani (President, Shiseido), Vice Chair Junko Goto (Chair, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Group Board), and Douglas Heymann (Bank of New York Mellon Representative in Japan).

Mr. Uotani gave a presentation on the meaning of "30%," the club's mission, and its vision.
The club aims to promote D&I (Diversity & Inclusion) and achieve sustainable growth and development for Japanese companies. Its mission is to contribute to a prosperous society where men and women participate equally. It seeks to build a community where member executives proactively engage in activities, strengthen the pipeline of corporate directors and executive officers who are candidates for such positions, and aim to eliminate the gender gap by spreading its influence to other organizations, including political ones.
It was also stated that numerical targets are not imposed on participating companies; rather, each supporting company is encouraged to set its own targets voluntarily and strive to achieve them.

■ Launch Event

Following the press conference, an event was held attended by representatives from supporting companies and organizations, as well as government officials.
Following the announcement of the club's official launch, a video message from Brenda Trenowden, the club's GLOBAL CO-CHAIR, was shown. She spoke about the background, significance, and achievements leading to the club's establishment.
Vice Chair Goto stated, "In modern society, I keenly feel every day that the active participation of women is indispensable. I hope many people will endorse the campaign and join this community." Similarly, Mr. Hyams likened the importance of women to an engine, saying, "Unless all the spark plugs ignite, the economy cannot run at full throttle. The presence of men who support women is also crucial."

Ms. Hajime Ikenaga, Director-General of the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, mentioned that the Abe Cabinet is promoting policies prioritizing women, such as "Womenomics." While acknowledging that the proportion of women in the workforce is increasing and the ratio of female executives is improving, she noted that the government's stated goals are still halfway achieved. She added, "I am very pleased and heartened that this club, with its outstanding track record, has now been launched in Japan. I wish to contribute as a supporter of the club myself. I sincerely hope for the club's future development."