Inochi Declaration
Integrate the principles of gender equality into policies and systems across all sectors of society. By fostering mutual learning and connection among women, we can realize a new model of a sustainable society based on gender equality.
At the G20 Osaka Summit held in 2019, the W20 (Women 20)—a group of gender equality experts representing 20 countries—issued policy proposals centered on the theme: “A New Form of Growth Through Closing the Gender Gap.” These proposals focused on four key pillars: labor, finance, digital innovation, and governance. Haruno Yoshida, then co-chair of W20 and the first female vice-chair of Keidanren as well as President of BT Japan, advocated for making the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai a “Women’s EXPO” to advance gender equality through the G20 Leaders’ Declaration. Inspired by her legacy, the Haruno Yoshida Memorial Executive Committee (HYMEC) was established and continues to advance gender equality in all sectors of society.
One of the most urgent issues in Japan is increasing the participation of women in decision-making positions. The Japanese government and Keidanren have set a goal of raising the percentage of women in executive and managerial positions to 30% by 2030. HYMEC, however, aims even higher—with a 50% target—and hosts the annual seminar series Road to Board, which supports leadership development and networking among women. Many graduates of the program have since advanced to executive and senior management positions, including overseas appointments. These women are laying the foundation for new economic growth, and their vision, passion, and initiative will serve as a compass for future generations.
HYMEC is also working to increase the number of women entrepreneurs and business leaders, recognizing that companies led by women are key to driving global economic growth. It is estimated that women entrepreneurs could contribute an additional $6 trillion to the global economy. However, investment in women-led businesses remains limited, and currently, women-owned businesses receive less than 1% of contracts within government and corporate supply chains. To foster sustainable economic development, it is essential to support women as creators of organizations, employers, and catalysts for inclusive economic ecosystems. Women with strong ethical values and a desire to contribute to society are also expected to lead the way in promoting responsible investment and consumption.
Annual Conference and HYMEC’s Five Subcommittee
To that end, HYMEC is partnering with WEConnect International, a global NPO promoting supplier diversity, to support the goal of raising the percentage of women entrepreneurs and business leaders to 50%. This includes prioritizing transactions with women-owned and minority-owned businesses in public procurement and corporate supply chains, while providing access to resources and networking opportunities.
Political participation is another critical area where Japan lags significantly behind the global standard. Bold policies are required to address this gap. Increasing the percentage of women in local government—where decisions directly impact daily life and Inochi—to 50% is a pressing priority. HYMEC is committed to eliminating the barriers between women and political engagement by providing relevant information and supporting dialogue and participation.
In society, at home, and in schools, unconscious bias and rigid gender roles persist. These issues affect all genders by limiting self-determination and creating environments where individuals cannot fully respect their own or others’ Inochi. To counter this, HYMEC actively invites female university students to events and supports student entrepreneurs, aiming to maximize their potential and create a society in which everyone can thrive authentically. Based on these efforts, HYMEC is planning further initiatives to realize its “50 by 50” vision—a goal of achieving 50% representation of women in all fields across Japan by 2050.
The Inochi Forum strongly believes that advancing gender equality will shape a new model of growth for a sustainable world. We are committed to working in partnership with diverse organizations including HYMEC to build a society where every Inochi unleashes its radiant light.
[References]
・Haruno Yoshida Memorial Executive Committee (HYMEC)
・5th WAW!/ W20 International Conference (2019)
https://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/fp/hr_ha/page22_003059.html
・WEConnect International
https://weconnectinternational.org/
[Action Platform]
Diversity and Inclusion / Peace and Human Rights
[SDGs]
