June 20, 2023

Nikkei Woman "A Company Where Women Play an Active Role"

"Nikkei Woman," a monthly magazine of Nikkei Group for working women, conducted the "Corporate Women's Activity Survey" and compiled the 2023 edition of "The 100 Best Companies for Women in Business." For the second year in a row, Shiseido ranked first, which is proactive in hiring for management positions, including incorporating rank-specific training for female executive candidates. Aflac came in second, followed by Takashimaya in third.

Shiseido has introduced rank-specific training to hone leadership skills for female section managers, managers, and executive candidates in phases starting in 2017. It has put in place various programs that allow female employees to have positive career development, including opportunities for female employees to interact with executives of the same gender. The ratio of female managers in January 2023 was 37.6%, up from the same month last year (37.3%).

Aflac rose to second place in the overall ranking from third in 2022. A "sponsorship system" was introduced in 2022 for female employees who are candidates for management positions, in which executives from their departments directly convey the necessary skills in the form of assignments. The ratio of female managers increased for the eighth consecutive year to 25.3%.

This is the 21st survey. The survey was conducted from January to mid-February among 4,400 leading Japanese companies, and responses were received from 512 companies.