天美影视

Comments from participants

Professor Nobuhiko Kubota (Dean Department of Business Administration School of Business, School of Business)

Japan's Gender Gap Index is extremely low globally, ranking 125th out of 146 countries in 2023. However, many people seem unaware of the problems in Japanese society and why it is in this state. Furthermore, even when problems are pointed out, they are often dismissed with phrases like "that's just how it is" or "that's Japanese tradition." Against this backdrop, having the opportunity to consciously think about and discuss gender issues in Japanese society was extremely meaningful for the students.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Ambassador Kovac, Mr. Shigiya, and Mr. Okutani for providing us with this wonderful opportunity, just as they did last year.

Azusa Onodera (3rd year student, School of Business Department of Business Administration)

Participating in this discussion allowed me to learn about the current state of women's advancement in Japan, as well as the situation overseas. I also became aware of unconscious biases that I often hold without realizing it. Furthermore, I realized that instead of trying to accomplish something big from the start, it is necessary to start by working on small, everyday things and making them a part of my daily life. And I believe that if these "normal" things become common sense throughout society, we will naturally move towards a society of gender equality.

Mayu Tamura (3rd year student, School of Business Department of Business Administration)

Through this discussion, I was able to ask myself what we should do for gender equality and how we can change our ingrained attitudes, and I came up with my own answers. The Republic of Serbia has achieved gender equality by prohibiting discrimination in all fields through a legal system. Listening to everyone's stories, I learned that improving politics leads to changes in businesses as well, and I strongly felt the usefulness of establishing systems and structures. I also realized that even if there are no applicable laws in the world, it is necessary to think about what you want to do and how you want to do it, and to act proactively, and that people who can do that are the ones who can become true leaders. I also want to become a person who does not determine my direction according to the state of the world, but who can face my true feelings and act with courage.

Wakana Matsuyama (3rd year student, School of Business Department of Business Administration)

I had the opportunity to hear valuable insights from ambassadors and successful women who are active in society, whom I don't usually have the chance to meet. I gained a deeper understanding of Serbia's approach to gender equality and its current state, as well as the differences between the initial state of Japan's Equal Employment Opportunity Law and its current state. All the talks were interesting and educational, but the point that Japan is currently in a transitional period toward gender equality was particularly memorable. I was also able to express my own thoughts, get my questions answered, and was greatly inspired by the opinions of the other participants of my generation. Thank you for providing me with this opportunity.

Yoshino Onodera (2nd year student, Department of Marketing School of Business)

It was very interesting to participate in a discussion on women's advancement, a topic I haven't had many opportunities to think about before, and to hear about the experiences shared by Ambassador Kova? and the members of J-Win. It was a very valuable experience to hear about the differences in women's advancement between the Republic of Serbia and Japan, as well as the opinions of Mr. Shigiya and Mr. Okutani, who are executives of Japanese companies, and to express my own opinions in response.
Through this discussion, I realized that I want to work with confidence in myself, rather than focusing on my gender as a woman. However, looking at society as a whole, I feel that many women give up their careers simply because they are women. If I were to become a manager, I would want to strive to create an environment where employees do not have to give up their careers due to childbirth or childcare. I am truly glad that I participated in this discussion.

Koko Shimizu (1st year student, Department of Public and Regional Economics College of Economics)

I had never before encountered a situation where gender differences were such a significant barrier, but my visit to the Serbian Embassy made me realize that unconscious bias in behavior and speech is present in everyday life. It was a valuable opportunity to think deeply about how we, the next generation, should change this world. I would like to make the most of this experience in the future.