Advertising market size (US$): 60.44 billion (3rd largest in world)

Launch date: May 2020    

Strategic priority:  Addressing traditional gender stereotypes in social norms.

Strategic industry events: AdWeek Tokyo, Spikes  

Members: I&S BBDO, McCann Worldgroup, POLA Inc., Shiseido Company, Limited, Ltd., Trenders, Inc., Unicharm Corporation, Inc., Yamaha Corporation

Allies: Japan Advertisers Association, Plan International Japan

Milestones

Japanese government continues to recognize the importance of addressing harmful stereotypes 

“Basic Plan for Gender Equality” published in 2020 is providing additional support from, the Japanese government to UA’s work, recognizing the criticality of UA’s principles and objectives to advance gender equality. UA Japan Chapter has been working closely with relevant government ministries to exchange thoughts on possible areas of specific 

Japan National Chapter celebrates IWD with its members and like-minded partners 

On the 6th of March in 2024, the Chapter organized a celebratory event with members sharing their “unstereotype journey”, DE&I efforts and key challenges they have faced. Speakers from Unconcious Bias Laboratory as well as the Cabinet Office enriched the event by providing practical advice in addressing harmful stereotypes entrenched in the workplace and the society. The Chapter members stressed the significance of fostering an environment where industries and corporations in many different areas come to work together in order to eliminate negative stereotypes. 

Japan National Chapter holds a Creative Dialogue to deep dive into key DE&I challenges 

Taking the opportunity of the Deputy Executive Director Madi Kirsi’s visit to Tokyo, the Chapter members and representatives from leading companies gathered to have a conversation on key issues surrounding unstereotype content, 3Ps, DE&I, gender equality. DED Madi highlighted the importance of diverse representation in the ads with specific examples and the need of working together beyond industries as joint effort to address negative stereotypes. The Dialogue served a great opportunity to bring the members and other corporate representatives together, share common challenges and consider practical action we can take together.

Launch: On 15 May 2020 the National Chapter was officially launched virtually in cooperation with the Japan Advertisers Association (JAA) and Nikkei Inc. UN Women Japan Liaison Office made the announcement at  the Gender Gap Conference, organized by Nikkei Inc. and Nikkei BP with support from the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan. The launch was held as an official side event of the World Assembly for Women (WAW!) Shine Weeks.

Nikkei Woman Empowerment Advertising Awards

The Nikkei Woman Empowerment Advertising Awards helps to dismantle gender based stereotypes and champion ads that contribute to gender equality and women's empowerment (GEEW).

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