Category: Womenomics
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Baby turns two . . .
Little Miss Hope turned two last week. A couple of days before that, I was so grateful for an email from Chateau School saying they would host a little tea-time party to celebrate on Friday afternoon. All I had to do was bring the cake. Ta-da! As full-time working parents we are very grateful for…
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2018 International Conference for Women in Business: Society 5.0.
After attending as a participant and panelist for some years, it is a great honour to be joining this year’s International Conference for Women in Business as a moderator. The ICWB was established in 1996 – long before Prime Minister Abe coined the phrase Womenomics – and now welcomes almost 1000 delegates for a 10-hour…
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Pressing for Progress – International Women’s Day 2018 – women, step up!
In a win for good governance, in 2012 the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ) moved to a fully open and democratic system for electing our Executive Committee (Excom) members. The annual Excom election ultimately determines which members will shape and influence the overall strategic direction of the Chamber. That same year, we pledged…
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The New Normal
My husband returned to work this month, after 5.5 months of paternity leave. Little Hope, aged 14 months, is now in full-time daycare at the wonderful Chateau School in Nishi Azabu. At the end of each day the school bus drops her off at my office, and we piggy back home. It’s our new normal…
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Returning to work
After almost a year of maternity leave, I was really happy to return to work at the BCCJ. This happened to coincide with a farewell reception for British Prime Minister Theresa May, who was on a state visit to Japan. As many working mums have told me, it might take a little time before my…
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Paternity Leave in Japan: the law vs the reality
Did you know that in Japan, after the birth of a baby, both parents can take up to one year of paid leave at the same time? No? Neither did we! Today, as my husband starts his three months of “paternity leave”, he joins a tiny minority of men who take time off to care…
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“Maternity pay” in Japan
I’m pleased to report that last week, just as Baby Hope reached the 7½ month mark, I received my second installment of “Maternity Pay”. “Maternity Pay” is a simple term that masks a rather complex set of calculations involving different pots of cash. Here’s how it works in Japan. Maternity Pay I: Health Insurance benefits From…
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Happy 17th birthday, ewoman!
This evening, Baby Hope and I broke our curfew to attend a reception in Roppongi Hills, celebrating ewoman’s 17th and Unicul’s 30th anniversaries. Both orgs were founded by Kaori Sasaki, one of our favourite ladies in Japan! As well as running two businesses, Sasaki-san sits on the boards and advisory boards for several large organisations,…
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A Prime Minister, a coalition, and 2 pregnant Brits walk into a . . .
The UK-Japan 21st Century Group was launched in 1985, at the joint request of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone. A coalition of private sector, public sector, and civil society leaders – representing industry, academia, the media, and government – the group aims to promote dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. Members meet…
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Women at work – a slow moving wave
For some years now, female employment and promotion have been on Japan’s to-do list. But government policies – and related private sector initiatives – have so far fallen short. Even with public “Womenomics” targets, offerings of flexi-time, and the creation of daycare spots, women continue to make up two-thirds of Japan’s ‘non-regular’ contract and part-time employees.…
2020 Mum in Tokyo 