Event
【Report】Symposium “What can Universities do to Help the Career Development of Women?”
In the first session, a report was given on the results of the “Comprehensive Research Concerning Career Support for Women and the Roles of Universities” (2011-2015 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology [MEXT] Strategic Research Base Development Program for Private Universities), which the Research Institute for Women and Careers (RIWAC) had been working on for the past five years. This research project had two central themes, and the research processes and outcomes were presented with regard to each of these themes.
The first theme was “Reanalyzing surveys on postwar society related to women and careers, and publicizing and using archives of surveys regarding women.” A report was given on the use of archives of surveys regarding women by RIWAC, and another report was given on the results of analysis centering the areas of education and family based on a collection of approximately 1,500 data items. It was shown that social surveys reflect the circumstances and interests of societies.
The second theme was “Research and development related to university-based reemployment assistance programs for women.” A report was given on the results of surveys related to women and careers that had been implemented for the purpose of program development, and on the results of developing and implementing reemployment assistance programs for women. The surveys revealed detailed information about the employment situation for highly-educated women and showed that employment assistance for woman up to now may well have been one-sided. It was also shown that in reemployment assistance programs for women that were newly developed in cooperation with Seiyu GK, the roles expected of universities at reemployment had been clarified.
Following this, RIWAC Director Machiko Osawa provided a review, stating that the range of support for the career development of women that has been viewed as conventional up to now needs to be expanded; public support to promote active roles for female university graduates is lacking and thus involvement is needed in terms of education; it has been shown that in the future, systems should be built that fit recruitment needs on the part of companies and employment needs on the part of women, thus the key to vitalizing society as a whole is creating “second-chance companies” that provide many second chances. External evaluation committee members Ms.Teruko Ohno and Ms. Nami Otsuki then provided a critique regarding the implementation and outcomes of this project.
During the second session, Professor Mary Brinton, Reischauer Institute Professor of Sociology and Department Chair, Harvard University, who had been invited to give a lecture, gave one entitled, “Second-Chance Labor Markets: Benefits for Women and Men.” Prof. Brinton pointed out that in the case of Japanese companies, people are generally employed at the same company for a long period of time, so, relative to the United States, changing jobs between companies is extremely rare, and this limits the bargaining power that workers have with regard to companies. If the possibility of moving to another company were higher, this would reduce the need for workers to give priority to what is convenient for the company in terms of work conditions and content. As such, it is necessary to shift from valuing lifetime employment to valuing the ability to change jobs. In order to achieve this, it will be important for individual workers to acquire skills that are portable. Prof. Brinton pointed out that education will become increasingly important in this respect.
After this very stimulating lecture, there was a lively exchange of questions and opinions with the audience, which included an audience member asking about the specific types of education that Japanese universities can provide. The symposium was thus very fruitful.
The minutes of this symposium are scheduled to be printed in the FY2016 RIWAC bulletin “Gendai Josei to Kyaria (Modern Women and Careers)” Issue No. 8.
【Report】Lecture: “Women and Work: Examples of Seiyu and Wal-Mart”
A lecture meeting entitled “Women and Work” was held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., on Friday July 3, and Seiyu GK Exexutive Officers Hiromi Hirabayashi and Michiki Otsubo along with Human Resources Department Recruitment Manager Asuka Uchiyama are welcomed as lecturers.
During the meeting, the guests spoke in great depth about their personal experiences, including their types of work experiences up to now, examples of hardships and how they overcame them, rewarding aspects of their work, and examples of support from family members. In addition, they described Seiyu’s personnel system and the company’s initiatives to promote active roles for women.
Approximately 30 people, including students of the Japan Women’s University Recurrent Education Program as well as undergraduate and graduate students, attended the meeting and took part in a lively question and answer session.
This lecture meeting was held as a kickoff event for the “Self Leadership Program” that will begin in September.
A lecture meeting entitled “Women and Work” was held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., on Friday July 3, and, Seiyu GK Exexutive Officiers Hitomi Hirabayashi and Michiko Otsubo, along with Human Resources Department Recruitment Manager Asuka Uchiyama were welcomed as lecturers.
During the meeting, the guests spoke in great depth about their personal experiences, including their types of work experiences up to now, examples of hardships and how they overcame them, rewarding aspects of their work, and examples of support from family members. In addition, they described Seiyu’s personnel system and the company’s initiatives to promote active roles for women.
Approximately 30 people, including students of the Japan Women’s University Recurrent Education Program as well as undergraduate and graduate students, attended the meeting and took part in a lively question and answer session.
This lecture meeting was held as a kickoff event for the “Self Leadership Program” that will begin in September.
【Report】“Women-only Gathering: Empowerment Center × Research Institute for Women and Careers”
A “women-only gathering” jointly sponsored by the Tokyo Woman’s Christian University Empowerment Center and the Research Institute for Women and Careers was held from 7 p.m. on July 10, 2015, at Omotesando Nasic Hall.
During the first session, personal stylist Junko Masachika gave a talk on “the power of clothing,” and during the second session, a casual networking meeting was held at which beverages and snacks were provided.
The agenda started with ideas for how to help build cross-generational networks for school graduates. This was the first time that this type of event was held outside Japan Women’s University, but this meant the number of attendees reached the maximum capacity of 100, and the event was a great success.
The participants provided various comments regarding the gathering such as, “The event got me to start thinking about the power of clothing,” and “This was a valuable opportunity to speak with people from a wide range of age groups.”
Based on the opinions that were received, thought will be given to the planning of more of these meaningful gatherings in the future. Information will be provided on the Japan Women’s University website, and we hope that you will participate.
In closing, thank you very much to everyone who helped out with this event.
Increasing attention has been paid to the advancement of women in society in relation to measures to cope with the labor shortages associated with population decline in Japan. Nevertheless, it seems that in reality many challenges still exist related to the employment of women.
On this occasion, the Research Institute for Women and Careers (RIWAC) invited Professor Mary Brinton, who serves as Reischauer Institute Professor of Sociology and Department Chair at Harvard University, to give a report on findings obtained from a survey on what Japanese companies think about childcare leave and the employment of women.
Discussions took place regarding the question, “The context of the market and norms related to gender roles have an impact on employment-side assessments regarding workers who have taken childcare leave. What effects does the implementation of childcare leave have on these assessments?” Interviews with personnel affairs managers at 25 large companies revealed that from the company’s perspective, women who take childcare leave are particularly capable persons who are “ideal workers” (who have made a major commitment to the company), the company would like for them to be ideal mothers, and it is possible that long-term childcare leaves result in subordinate positions for women within companies and the division of labor by gender role within households.
After this report, the audience engaged in a lively exchange of questions and opinions. It was apparent that there was a high level of interest in the views of companies regarding childcare leave at this study group meeting, one which had not been particularly clear previously.
【Report】Workshop: SPSS related to statistical analysis useful for social surveys
An SPSS workshop related to statistical analysis useful for social surveys was held targeting students and faculty members. On this occasion, the workshop was held in a computer seminar room with the support of the RIWAC Media Center.
Speaking at this type of workshop for the fourth time in a row, Kim Myoungjung of NLI Research Institute provided a lecture covering the basic details and basic operations of SPSS, as well as data processing, cross tabulation, and the basics of statistical analysis (regression analysis).
More than 30 applications were received for the 30 available spots, and participants provided very positive feedback regarding the event.
【Report】Symposium: “When Men Engage in Care: Another perspective on supporting the work of women”
This public symposium was held on Saturday December 13.
In order for women to play active roles in society, it is necessary for them to engage in care activities such as childcare and nursing care jointly with men, and this situation is not likely to change in the future. The agenda for this symposium was to clarify what happens when men provide care, and to explore related measures.
Ritsumeikan University Graduate School Professor Jouske Amada gave the keynote speech, and Akiko Doteuchi of the NLI Research Institute, Ryo Hirayama of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and Akiko Nagai of Japan Women’s University were welcomed as panelists. Reports were provided on childrearing and caregiving experiences, and discussions were held on this topic.
At similar symposiums in the past, the focus of analysis had been on the labor market, but at this event, it was realized that hints for the social advancement of women seem to lie in background factors related to support for care, including the daily life of married couples and involvement in the local community.
Symposium “What can university do to help women’s career development”
Symposium“What can university do to help women’s career development”
Date:12thDecember2015 13:00～17:00 Place: Shinsenzan-kan Japan Women’s University (Mejiro campus) 2-8-1 Mejirodai,Bunkyo-ku,Tokyo
Opening Address 13:00
1st Session 13:05－15:10 Final report “The Resarch of Women’s Career Support and the Role of University”
10 minute break
2nd Session Lecture 15:20－16:50 “Second-Chance Labor Markets: Benefits for Women and Men” Lecturer :MaryC.Brinton Rischauer Institute Professor of Sociology and Department Chair Department of Sociology,Havard University
Closing remarks 17:00
【Report】Self Leadership Program—An experience-based program for women seeking reemployment
Several dozen Recurrent Education Program students participated in the “Self Leadership Program—An experience-based program for women seeking reemployment” held September 2-9, 2014. The program was implemented by the Research Institute for Women and Careers and Recurrent Education Program with the cooperation of Seiyu GK.
The program included tours of Seiyu stores, the company’s logistics center, food factory, and other locations where participants held discussions with employees to discover issues in workplaces where they offered solutions.
Participants discussed enthusiastically proposing new ideas over a period of three days. On the final day of the program, participants gave a presentation in front of Seiyu executives and exchange ideas and answering the questions.
【Report】Lecture: Women and Work
A lecture with the theme “Women and Work” was held on Friday, June 13, 2014 presented by Hiromi Hirabayashi , Executive Officer at Seiyu .
In the lecture, Ms. Hirabayashi spoke in depth about what kind of work she has had experience of until now, and related specific experiences regarding such as troubles and how she overcame them, what makes her work worth doing, and how much support she received from family. In addition, she explained the various efforts Seiyu is making to promote women’s labour and promotion.
Around 50 people, including students from Recurrent Education Program as well as undergraduate students and graduate students, attended the lecture and took part in a lively question and answer session.
The lecture serves as a kickoff event for the Self Leadership Program which is to be held in September 2014.
【Report】The Legal Issues in Women’s Labour—What can be appeared from the gender wage discrimination case in Chugoku Electric Power Company and its appeal court decision
“The Legal Issues in Women’s Labour—What can be appeared from the gender wage discrimination case in Chugoku Electric Power Company and its appeal court decision” was held on June 20, 2014 at Shin-Senzankan, Japan Women’s University. The case concerning gender wage discrimination at Chugoku Electric Power Company has been taken to the Supreme Court where the trial is still ongoing.
We welcomed Ms. Mitsuko Miyachi, an attorney involved in the gender wage discrimination case, who presented a detailed report on the history of gender wage discrimination trials in Japan, the significance of the Chugoku Electric Power Company case, efforts toward a Supreme Court decision, and other related matters. The plaintiff in this case, Ms. Shinobu Nagasako from Hiroshima, and supporter Mr. Go Morita participated as well. Ms. Nagasako spoke about her thoughts regarding the court battle which has lasted several years and her determination to get a Supreme Court decision, receiving a big round of applause from the audience. In addition, supporter Mr. Go Morita who has fought alongside Ms. Nagasako delivered a powerful message. We also understood how important the trial is. Chicago University professor Kazuo Yamaguchi who wrote a statement for the Supreme Court when the case was taken to its final appeal was also in attendance.
The symposium served to address what is necessary and what must be done in order to eliminate gender bias from the judicial and corporate worlds and reduce the gender gap.
We would like to thank everyone who participated in today’s event.
【Report】Special Spring Course with Recurrent Education Program
Spring special course was held on Friday, February 28, Friday, March 7, and Wednesday, March 12, 2014 for recurrent education students.
For details about the course, please visit the Japan Women’s University Recurrent Education Program website by clicking the link below.
http://www5.jwu.ac.jp/gp/recurrent/event/event_2013.html#e20140312