Entrepreneurship is a challenging field to enter for most, but women in Japan face a series of additional hurdles. Placing 110th in the World Economic Forum’s Gender Equality rankings, the country is far behind the nations it rivals when it comes to technology and business rankings. Alongside the government’s new initiatives, however, one group are taking matters into their own hands.

 

After hitting it off at a casual networking barbecue in Tokyo, Moeko Suzuki and Amee Xu began working together, soon discovering a worrying lack of opportunity for women in Tokyo. “Amee was starting her VR software company at that time and asked me how foreigners can start a business in Tokyo without having to spend a fortune,” Suzuki explained, “I couldn’t find many bilingual female support organisations, especially aimed at starting a business.” After spotting this gap in the market, the two decided to form Startup Lady Japan — providing mentorship and education for current and future female entrepreneurs. 

 

Now, two years on  the group provides support to over 150 women from 62 countries, reaching across twenty-six industries, all from their base in Tokyo. When not speaking at International Chambers of Commerce or running their mentorship sessions, Suzuki and Xu are busy developing plans to change the face of entrepreneurship in Japan: “We want to be a community, a bridge for Japanese and non-Japanese to meet, develop projects and do business together,” said Suzuki. 

 

While Japan itself may be far behind in terms of equality, the pair believe Tokyo is still the best place in the country to enter the world of business, thanks in part to international networking opportunities, but also the female governor, Yuriko Koike. “Tokyo has a better understanding of what a female entrepreneur needs and has a more open mindset,” reflected Suzuki, “The governor— Koike-san — is also pushing really hard to start something called the “Declaration of Tokyo” at the Network of Empowered Entrepreneurial Women Conference, and she is trying to create a better environment to enable women to be part of the fabric of social leadership”. 

 

In addition to working on their own projects, the pair are a keen force in the political scene, often taking part in government assemblies on women in business. Unsurprisingly, the pair have their own thoughts on how Japan could change for women: improving childcare in order to support women’s return to work, providing role models to students, and developing better access to the services already available. “The Japanese government is trying to tackle these issues as well,” Suzuki notes, “But the process is ongoing.” 

 

While the core team of Startup Lady Japan are all female, they are adamant that the key to achieving equality is not up to women alone. Their slogan ‘Be the game changer’ is intentionally open, Suzuki explains: “Changing gender equality is not a one-sided equation, and therefore just involving one gender is not enough to change the social mindset.” If you’ve attended any of their events, it’s clear that their open-door policy is working, with leading male and female speakers, mentors and attendees. 

 

Attracting speakers from a wide range of industries as well as partnering with local groups, they encourage everyone to attend the different events; although the mentorship aspect is for women only. The Startup Arena, Women’s Entrepreneur Nights and Story Nights all offer different learning experiences and draw varied audiences as well as speakers. Erika Kajita, founder of Wappiness, an NPO supporting people with Hansen’s Disease in India, is a prime example, along with Chioma Anyalewechi, founder of An-yal, an ad agency in Tokyo.

 

Looking to the future, the team believes the upcoming Olympics are changing Japan for the better, thanks mainly to the increased scrutiny coming from abroad. Noting the recent ban of pornographic magazines in convenience stores, they are optimistic the changes will continue. Another change in the right direction, they believe, is the adoption of co-working spaces. With their Co-Working Space Discovery Program, developed with local providers, female entrepreneurs can try free 1-day drop-in trial at spaces across the city.

 

Optimistic about the changes taking place in Japan, the Startup Lady Japan team will continue to strive for better support and to provide far-reaching opportunities for women in Japan. Holding regular Thursday Gatherings and Pitch nights, there’s something for everyone and anyone with an interest in supporting women in business.

 

 

 

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