“WOMAN EXPO 2024 Winter” will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Tokyo Midtown Hall (Minato-ku, Tokyo). At the same time, the “Woman of the Year 2025” awards ceremony was held.
“WOMAN EXPO” started in 2014 as part of the “Nikkei Womenomics Project,” which supports the creation of an environment where women can play an active role. Thanks to the support of many visitors, we are celebrating our 10th anniversary this year. The Nikkei Group’s media, including Nikkei WOMAN, an information magazine for working women, Nikkei Cross Woman, a web media that provides useful information for working women, and Nikkei Health, which provides information on health and beauty, take advantage of their respective characteristics. We provide useful information and experiences for all working women who can shine in their own way through seminars, exhibitions, and other real-world settings.
A stamp rally lottery was held at the exhibition hall where you could win gorgeous prizes. Participants visited each booth in turn, listening intently to each company’s initiatives and services.
Participants in the seminar included Kamiko Inuyama (illustration essayist), Akari Hasegawa (cook and registered dietitian), Shino Kinoshita (owner of Snack Hikidashi), and Noga Channel’s Noga (video creator).
“Overcoming the barrier of 10 years in your career – How to overcome turning points by learning from failures”, “Psychiatrist Tomy, please blow away my worries!”, “Asset building from four perspectives – Thinking now, when you are 100 years old There are many seminars on a wide range of themes such as “Career”, “Learning”, “Health”, “Beauty”, “Cooking”, “Money”, and “Education”, such as “I want to watch over you as a doctor – What I can do as a parent”. A movie screening was also held.
“Clean Dental Presents: Love yourself more in your 40s! ~Be positive from the impression of your mouth~” features illustration essayist Kamiko Inuyama and professor emeritus at Osaka University and Atsuo Amano, a specially appointed professor at the Graduate School of Dentistry. will be on stage. While there are various physical problems, we focused on the oral cavity, which is particularly prone to “changes,” and we hope that even those of the working generation will have proper knowledge about “periodontal disease,” which is not just someone else’s problem. Introducing “Oral Care.” Ms. Amano emphasized the importance of care based on correct knowledge regarding periodontal disease, which has a large impact on both aesthetic and health aspects.
“Female executives speak honestly! How to overcome the ‘diversity barrier'” will feature Ms. Kaoru Ouchi, Chugai Pharmaceutical’s senior executive officer in charge of risk management, compliance, reliability assurance, pharmaceutical technology, and production technology, and Ms. Kaoru Ouchi, a director at IBM Japan. A certain Hiromi Inoue took the stage. In this seminar, we invited two executives from top companies in the “Best 100 Companies Where Women Are Active” industry ranking, and we talked about their experiences of refusing promotions to managerial positions, how they subsequently accepted promotions, and their previous jobs. Introducing practical examples of how to advance your career as a manager, which requires you to look at things from a different angle, how to balance childcare, and initiatives to change the organizational culture of the industry. Lastly, Mr. Ouchi said, “When an opportunity presents itself, seize it with confidence,” and Mr. Inoue said, “Look at various role models, combine the parts of each, and find the role model you aspire to.” I believe that by refining your own individuality, you will be able to create a colorful career.”
In addition, the “Woman of the Year 2025”, a highly visible award that recognizes women who have achieved remarkable success in various fields, will be presented to Soke Hanabi Kagiya, the 15th generation, who is active as a fireworks maker and Judo Olympic judge. Akiko Amano won the grand prize. Ms. Amano was highly praised for her accomplishments in paving the way for women to play an active role in two male-dominated societies: as a fireworks maker and as an Olympic judo judge.
Amano says, “When I was 7 years old, I admired the image of my father, and was inspired by my mother’s words of praise for my father, so I started my career as a “fireworks artist” and “judoka.” During my training days, I experienced various experiences and experienced many setbacks.From those setbacks, I developed a way of living and an attitude towards life.My parents taught me to be honest with others and myself. And never forget to be grateful to others. The “attitude” born from setbacks is to fight head-on no matter what, and if you have set a goal, you will live your life in a way that leaves you with no regrets, step by step, in order to achieve your goal. Looking back, she said, “From now on, I would like to move forward step by step, focusing on my mother’s words, so that I can be of help to everyone, and keeping in mind that I live in a peaceful Japan.” “I’ll do it,” he said enthusiastically. During the talk session, she said, “I believe that we are living in an era where every woman can shine.If you have the courage to take the first step, I’m sure there will be people who will support you, so I encourage you to work hard for yourself to shine.” I hope you will continue to do so,” he said, sending a positive message.
Additionally, the Nikkei WOMAN Special Award went to Kitaguchi Shinka, who won the gold medal in the women’s javelin throw at the Paris Olympics, overturning the notion that it is difficult for women to win gold medals in field events. Kitaguchi says, “I’m often asked, “What’s the secret to staying motivated?” But I don’t really understand what motivation is in the first place (lol).Athletes want to achieve something, and then they do it. I guess motivation doesn’t really matter since I’m choosing the competition. There are times when I don’t record or things don’t go well, but those times may be unique to being an athlete, but first I accept the reality.Then I think about how to improve. ”, he said, saying that he always approaches the project with a positive mindset. She then addressed the working women and said, “Although I won the gold medal this time, I have always said that historically, traditionally, and physically, it is difficult for Japanese people to become the world’s best javelin thrower. However, if you learn it properly, it will become yours, so please try doing what you want to do,” he said, giving a strong message based on his own experience.
The next “WOMAN EXPO 2025” is scheduled to be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Shibuya Hikarie Hikarie Hall.
♦“Woman of the Year 2025” Winner♦
[Grand Prize]Akiko Amano / Soke Hanabi Locksmith 15th generation
(Challenging two male-dominated societies: Judo Olympic referee and fireworks maker, realizing the ultimate “double job” of both as main jobs)
[Award]Mio Ikeda/Asahiko Representative Director
(The developed tofu bar has become a hit product with cumulative sales of approximately 75 million units)
[Award]Chiemi Kamakura/Agatha Representative Director and President
(Promoting DX of clinical trial document management. Used by many Japanese medical institutions and pharmaceutical companies)
[Award]Kochu Oya/Oyraa CEO
(Developed an app that allows you to search for interpreters and request interpretation remotely)
[Award]Ai Sato / Kirin Holdings Health Science Division New Business Group
(Developed home-use “electric tableware” that enhances salty and umami flavors with electric taste.Social implementation of technology that allows you to reduce salt without overdoing it)
[Award]Yuko Nakajima/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Japan President
(Worked in medical aid in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. After returning to Japan, he actively gave testimony and aroused interest in humanitarian aid.)
[Award]Rina Nagaoka/Otetsutabi CEO
(Founded a human resources matching service that connects people with local communities through the combination of “help” and “travel.” This led to the creation of a related population.)
[Award]Haruna Morikawa/Representative Director of Ongrid Holdings
(Building a system to connect “labor shortage in the construction industry” with “people who want to find a job but find it difficult to find a job.” Starting a business from a full-time housewife.)
[Nikkei WOMAN Special Award]Ms. Kitaguchi Shinka/JAL Athlete Employee
(Gold medal in the women’s javelin throw at the Paris Olympics. Overturning the notion that it is difficult for women to win gold medals in field events)
♦Judge♦
Yuka Aiuchi (TV Tokyo announcer), Akio Iriyama (Waseda University Business School professor), Patrick Harlan (talent), Makiko Shinoda (Yale director)
WOMAN EXPO 2024 Winter event overview
Sponsored by Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Nikkei BP
Cooperation TV Tokyo, BS TV Tokyo
The conference date is November 30, 2024 (Saturday) 10:00～17:30
Venue Tokyo Midtown Hall (Roppongi) (9-7-2 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Admission fee: Free (pre-registration required online)
Participating companies/organizations
American Soybean Export Association/Albion/SS Pharmaceuticals/Kawamoto Sangyo/Kyoiku/Kenko Mayonnaise/Nuclear Energy Environment Agency/Cybozu/Sangi/Sundai Preparatory School/Seven Bank/Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare/TFK/NIKI Hills Winery/Japan Cancer Prevention Association/Working Women Square/PREMIUM WATER/Hokkaido University/Marco/Yamaguchi Prefecture
Cooperating media: Nikkei Cross Woman, Nikkei WOMAN, Nikkei Health, Nikkei Trendy
Public Relations and Advertising Office: Kyodo Medias
