In Winding Paths to Success: Chart a Career in Uncertain Times, experienced management consultant Nobuko Kobayashi delivers an engaging and insightful discussion of the professional and personal successes of senior Japanese women executives, academics, and entrepreneurs who started their career in the late ‘80s to ‘90s, the dawn of gender equity at work in Japan. You’ll discover how these remarkable people carved out a long and rewarding career in a challenging environment.
The author describes the substantial diversity of Japanese professional life, exploring the rich and varied histories of women who are often stereotyped and relegated to a one-size-fits-all story. Their creative navigation amid uncertainties inspires anyone who wishes to establish a career in the highly volatile world of today. You’ll also find: - Personal and forthcoming stories from women executives - Recommendations for public and private sector employers to further enhance diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace - Individual strategies for crafting successful careers from a minority position
Perfect for those building a career, managers, executives, entrepreneurs, founders, and other business leaders, Winding Paths to Success is a must-have resource for aspiring and practicing business leaders in Japan and other countries.
Table of Contents
Prologue xi
1 Levity 1
Yuki Shingu Makes a Brilliant Comeback to IT Career After Nursing Care Leave 4
Japan - Almost Silent over #MeToo 14
Why Having Women at the Top Is Not Enough 18
2 Independence 23
Makiko Nakamori Approaches Corporate Governance with Resolve 26
Gender Diversity in Japan Inc. Must Blast Past Tokenism 34
Women Must Learn to Harness the Power of Networking 37
3 Purpose 43
Mami Kataoka Believes in the Power of Art to Change the World 46
Every Day Is International Men’s Day in Japan 56
Companies Must Face Up to the Downsides of Workplace Diversity 59
4 Altruism 67
Ayako Sonoda Inherits Altruism and Entrepreneurism Passed from Her Mother 70
Let’s Get Real About Female Equality in Corporate Japan 80
Rolling with the Punches Hurts Japanese Women 84
5 Conviction 91
Miyuki Suzuki Drives Change as Outsider from Within 94
Meetings with Women That “Take Too Long” Are a Good Thing 104
Kawaii Culture Hurts Japanese Women in Business 107
6 Leadership 111
Masami Katakura Realizes Her Leadership Potential with Help from a Mentor 114
Former Princess Mako’s Marriage Holds a Mirror to Japan 123
Japan’s Language Gender Divide Hurts Women at Work 126
7 Growth 131
Ryoko Nagata Stays Clear of Cigarettes in a Tobacco Company 134
Japan Must Break the Glass Fence Keeping Mothers at Home 143
Japanese Companies Must Capitalize on the Gender Gap Disclosure Rule 146
8 Curiosity 153
Noriko Osumi Normalizes Women in Science 156
Japan Needs More STEM Research, Not Tours, to Revive Innovation 167
Women Can Help Revive Innovation for Japan Inc. 171
9 Ambition 179
Yumi Narushima Returns to Benesse After Running a Girls’ School 182
Japan Must Reform Its Antiquated Marriage Laws 195
Japan’s Miss Contests Reflect Society’s High Demands on Women 198
10 Competence 205
Masae Yamanaka Builds Career in Sales Traversing Four Companies 208
C-Suite: The Last Frontier for Foreigners Eyeing Japan Inc. 223
Can Japan Have Prosperity Without Growth? 226
11 Homecoming 233
Chikako Matsumoto, World Bank Alum, Thrives at Japanese Trust Bank 236
Japanese Companies Can No Longer Expect Lifetime Loyalty from Workers 250
Gender Equity Is Coming to Japan’s Workplaces 253
12 Resilience 259
Yasuko Gotoh Breaks Ground for Women Career Bureaucrats 262
Japanese Businesswomen Need More Than a Place at the Table 277
Employers Should Encourage Risk- Taking to Beat Impostor Syndrome 281
Acknowledgments 287
Index 291
