Women's Issues

December 10, 2019
Japanese
Photo of the Prime Minister giving a speech at a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister and his wife (Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Photo of the Prime Minister giving a speech (Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)

5thWAW! W20 JAPAN2019

Overview

The next WAW! will be held in March 2019 in collaboration with Women 20 (W20)Open a New Window, one of the G20 engagement groups established to make recommendations to G20. We expect to promote the movement of enhancing women’s empowerment in both Japan and the world while highlighting the great collaboration with the W20 on that occasion.

Message by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)

The World Assembly for Women (WAW!) is Japan's initiative aiming at realizing "the society where women shine". This year, the WAW! marks the fifth year since its commencement.

We'll make this year's WAW! a special one. As Japan is serving as Presidency of G20 this year, it will be held concurrently with W20, one of the engagement groups of G20.

We will welcome Ms. Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate for 2014, as a keynote speaker of this special WAW!/W20. Ms.Malala has appealed for the importance of education for girls. Though being targeted by an anti-government organization, with the support of her family members and others, she has never given up advocating that “one book and one pen can change the world”. This is a powerful message. Each person opens up their potentials with his/her own will. That serves as the impetus to change the world.

To commemorate the fifth year of the WAW!, we will invite female foreign ministers from all over the world for the first time and youth representatives will participate in each session to convey their messages of the future generation. Distinguished guests from the world and the international organizations including H.E. Ms. Michelle Bachelet Jeria, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, will also be speaking at the conference.

The grand theme for this year's WAW! is "WAW! for Diversity". Diversity is recognized and everyone can fully use his/her ability. That's the new future we are aiming for. Each and every one of you are the player for such a new future.

Let's collect the wisdom from everyone regardless of sex or age, and draw a dream for a better society. Please come and listen to live messages from Ms.Malala and other wonderful guests.

Let's change the world from WAW! and W20, and let's work together to materialize our vision. To realize "the world where women shine"!

Messages from the 5th WAW!/W20 Panelists

Messages toward a "society in which women shine" from panelists have arrived. Please see the PDF file below.

Date

Date: March 23 (Sat) - 24 (Sun), 2019

Venue: Hotel New Otani Tokyo

5th WAW! / W20 Program

Day 1: Saturday, March 23

Keynote Speech by Ms. Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate
7:30-9:15 Registration/Networking
9:30-10:00 Opening Speech (at Fuyo)
Delivery of the 2019 W20 Communiqué
10:00-10:40
Keynote Speeches (at Fuyo)
  • Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate
  • Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Special Address
  • Gabriela Michetti, Vice President of the Argentine Republic
11:00-12:30 Panel Discussion: "Human Resource Development in a Changing Society with Technology Transformation" (Concept Note (PDF)Open a New Window) (at Fuyo)
Introduction Statement (Video Message)
  • Masahiko Uotani, Representative Director, President and CEO, Shiseido Company, Limited
Moderator
  • Kathy Matsui, Vice Chair, Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd.
Panelists
  • Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Shojiro Nishio, President, Osaka University
  • Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
  • Ekaterina Zaharieva, Deputy Prime Minister for Judicial Reform and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria
13:45-15:00 WAW! Panel Discussion: "Leadership for Regional Development and Job Creation" (Concept Note (PDF)Open a New Window) (at Fuyo)
Introduction Statement
  • Satsuki Katayama, Minister of State for Regional Revitalization, Regulatory Reform, Gender Equality, Women's Empowerment and PPP/PFI
Moderator
  • Asako Osaki, Visiting Professor, Kwansei Gakuin University / Director, Gender Action Platform (GAP)
Panelists
  • Alice Graham, Assistant General Counsel, Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd.
  • Satsuki Katayama, Minister of State for Regional Revitalization, Regulatory Reform, Gender Equality, Women's Empowerment and PPP/PFI
  • Muneharu Nakagai, Mayor of Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture
  • Kanako Sato, CEO, snow days farm company
  • Kenji Shoji, Vice Chair-person, National Council of Commissioned Welfare Volunteers
15:05-16:20 W20 Panel Discussion 1: "Closing the Gender Gap for New Prosperity: Enhancing Governance for Women's Empowerment" (Concept Note (PDF)Open a New Window) (at Fuyo)
Introduction Statement
  • Satsuki Katayama, Minister of State for Regional Revitalization, Regulatory Reform, Gender Equality, Women's Empowerment and PPP/PFI
Moderator
  • Angela Mackay, Global Publisher, Financial Times Live & Managing Director, Asia Pacific
Video Message
  • Gabriela Ramos, OECD Chief of Staff and Sherpa to the G20
Panelists
  • Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado, Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama
  • Arancha González, Executive Director, International Trade Center (ITC)
  • Ai Hua Ong, Company Group Chairman, Janssen Asia Pacific Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
  • Satoshi Tanaka, Representative Director, Executive Vice President, MitsuiI & Co., Ltd.
  • Miki Tsusaka, Senior Partner and Managing Director of Boston Consulting Group
16:40-18:00 High-Level Panel Discussion Sessions
WAW! High-Level Panel Discussion 1 "Media and Contents to Nurture Diversity" (Concept Note (PDF)Open a New Window) (at Fuyo)
Moderator
  • Tetsuya Honda, Managing Director, CEO, BlueCurrent Japan Inc.
Video Message
  • Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women
Panelists
  • Ikuho Maeda, New Business Incubation Office Coordinator, The Asahi Shimbun Company
  • Balaka Niyazee, Vice President, P&G Korea Selling & Market Operations
  • haru. , Editor in Chief, HIGH(er) magazine / Student (Youth Representative)
  • Sandra Erica Jovel Polanco, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala
  • Marija Pejčinović Burić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia
  • Takashi Washio, Excecutive Director, Toei Animation Co., Ltd.
WAW! High-Level Panel Discussion 2 "Women's Participation in Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Post Conflict Recovery" (Concept Note (PDF)Open a New Window) (at edo ROOM)
Moderator
  • Mohammad Naciri, Regional Director of UN Women Asia Pacific
Video Message
  • Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Panelists
  • Michelle Bekkering, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and Environment (E3)
  • Hanaa Edwar George Busha, Chairperson of the Iraqi Al-Amal Association
  • Hiroshi Kato, Senior Vice President, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
  • Nagi Maeoka, Fundraiser of World Vision Japan, Student of Political Science at Seikei University (Youth Representative)
  • Bandana Rana, Vice-President of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
  • Joanna Roper, Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Special Envoy for Gender Equality of the United Kingdom
W20 High-Level Panel Discussion 1 "Creation of New Market Value by Women Entrepreneurs" (Concept Note (PDF)Open a New Window) (at Rei)
Moderator
  • Virginia Littlejohn, President and Co-Founder, Quantum Leaps
Panelists
  • Atsuko Toko Fish, Founder, Japanese Women's Leadership Initiative (JWLI)
  • Karin Kneissl, Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria
  • Teiko Kudo, Managing Executive Officer, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
  • Mariko Magnan, Founder and CEO, TPO co., ltd.
  • Elizabeth A. Vazquez, CEO and Co-Founder of WEConnect International
W20 Special Session 1 "Gender Lens Investing: Emerging Global Trends" (Concept Note (PDF)Open a New Window) (at Sho)
Moderator
  • Mari Kogiso, Director, Gender Innovation Department, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation
Panelists
  • Ryan Brennan, Acting Executive Vice President, Office of Investment Policy, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
  • Benjamin Colton, Head of APAC, Asset Stewardship, State Street Global Advisors
  • Cynthia L. Drakeman, Founding CEO, DoubleXEconomy
  • Diana van Maasdijk, Co-founder and CEO at Equileap
  • Tadashi Maeda, Governor & Representative Director, Japan Bank for International Cooperation
  • Mara Marinaki EU/EEAS Principal Advisor on Gender and on UNSCR 1325 (Opening Speech)
  • Asako Osaki, National Coordinator, We Empower Japan (Closing Speech)Visiting Professor, Kwansei Gakuin University / Executive Director, Gender Action Platform (GAP)
  • Nobuo Tanaka, Chairman, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation
Audience
Messages from Participants

Day 2: Sunday, March 24

Panel Discussion among Foreign Ministers
9:00-9:30 Registration/Networking
9:30-10:50 High-Level Panel Discussion Sessions
WAW! High-Level Panel Discussion 3 "Diversity for Growth: Corporate Management and Working Environment" (Concept Note (PDF)Open a New Window) (Rei)
Moderator
  • Renge Jibu, Researcher, Showa Women's University
Panelists
  • Francine Baron, Minister for Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of the Commonwealth of Dominica
  • Soichiro Chiba, Chairman, Y20 Committee (Youth Representative)
  • Claudia Christovau, Head of Brand Studio APAC, Global Creative Lead of Women Will, Google
  • Yoriko Goto, Chair of the Board, Deloitte Tohmatsu Group
  • Kimie Iwata, Director, Kirin Holdings
  • Norihiro Takahashi, President, Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF)
WAW! High-Level Panel Discussion 4 "Future of Family: Getting Support, Utilizing and Sharing" (Concept Note (PDF)Open a New Window) (at edo ROOM)
Moderator
  • Shungo Koreeda, Researcher, Daiwa Institute of Research Ltd.
Panelists
  • Nicole Ameline, Vice-President of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
  • Rui Matsukawa, Member of the House of Councillors
  • Soshi Matsuoka, Executive Director, General Incorporated Association, fair (Youth Representative)
  • Toshiyuki Tanaka, Associate Professor, Taisho University
  • Melanne Verveer, Executive Director, The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
  • Ziauddin Yousafzai, Co-Founder and board member of Malala Fund
W20 High-Level Panel Discussion 2 "Towards the Gender Equality in the Digital Era" (Concept Note (PDF)Open a New Window) (at Sho)
Moderator
  • Claire Sibthorpe, Head of Connected Women and Connected Society at GSMA
Panelists
  • Heather Barnabe, President, Girls 20
  • Masami Katakura, EY Japan Managing Partner, BMC (Brand, Marketing and Communication), Gender Leader
  • Shunichi Kushima, Director and Country Category Manager, Personal Systems and Services & Solutions, HP Japan Inc.
  • Keita Matsunami, General Manager, Global Talent Acquisition and Development Dept., Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.
W20 Special Session 2 "Women as Patients and Caregivers: Improving Gender Equity and Labor Inclusion by Addressing Healthcare Disparities" (Concept Note (PDF)Open a New Window) (at ARIES)
Keynote Speeches
  • Lisa Deschamps, Neuroscience World Wide Business Franchise Head, Novartis AG
  • Izumi Kawachi, Lecturer, Niigata University
Panelists
  • Asei Machi, Announcer/ Journalist (Moderator)
  • Elena Rodriquez, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Novartis AG
  • Izumi Kawachi, Lecturer, Niigata University
  • Misako Tanaka, Oncology Division, Novartis Pharma K.K.
Closing Speech
  • Li Deng, Member of the Standing Committee, Member of the Social Development Committee of the 13th National People's Congress, Member of the Party Leadership Group of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) , Curator of China National Museum on Women and Children
11:10-11:20 Special Guest Interview (at Fuyo)
  • Kimiko Date, Tennis Player / JICA Official Supporter
11:20-12:35 W20 Panel Discussion 2: "Closing the Gender Gaps at Work: Leading a Happy Work and Life" (Concept Note (PDF)Open a New Window) (at Fuyo)
Introduction Statement
  • Fumiko Hayashi, Mayor of Yokohama
Moderator
  • Hiroko Kuniya, Member of the Board of Trustees to the Tokyo University of the Arts
Panelists
  • Susan Ferrier, Global Head of People, KPMG International
  • Shoji Ito, Director, Senior Managing Executive Officer, Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance Inc.
  • Stacey Kennedy, President, South & South East Asia Region, Philip Morris International
  • Yukiko Muto, President of Uber Eats, Japan
  • Naomi Yamamoto, Corporate Officer, Chief Creative Officer, Creative, Beauty Creation, Social Value Creation, Shiseido Company, Limited
12:40-13:40 Closing Session (at Fuyo)
 
Panel Discussion among Foreign Ministers
  • Toshiko Abe, State Minister for Foreign Affairs
  • María Dolores Agüero Lara, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Honduras
  • Francine Baron, Minister for Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of the Commonwealth of Dominica
  • Karin Kneissl, Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria
  • Marija Pejčinović Burić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia
WAW! Wrap Up
W20 Troika Session
  • Elva Susana Balbo, W20 Chair 2018
  • Salma Al-Rashid, 2019 head of delegation - Saudi Arabia
  • Yoriko Meguro, W20 Japan Steering Committee Co-Chair
  • Haruno Yoshida, W20 Japan Steering Committee Co-Chair
Closing Speech
  • Akie Abe, Spouse of Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe
W20 Troika Session

For the details; Please refer to the PDF file.

Shine Weeks(Closed)

We designate January 23, 2019 to May 24, 2019 as "Shine Weeks"! We invite events (any form) which suite the objectives of WAW!/W20 to be registered as official side events for Shine Weeks.

(Notes) If anyone who would like to attend official side events, please contact each organizer.

5th WAW!/W20 Application Form (Closed)

General Audience Registration is now closed, due to the number of applications exceeding its maximum.

Registrations for the waiting list is now closed.

Press Guideline (Closed)

Panel Audience Questions (Closed)

Thank you for sending us questions.

Contact

Gender Mainstreaming Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
TEL: +81-(0)3-3580-3311

Related Links

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