The government has announced it will create a database for women who are eligible to become executives of listed firms in order to increase the influence of women inside companies. The database is an attempt to expand women's roles as part of a general push for economic growth. The database is intended to increase the number of female board members on listed Japanese companies.
As one step toward increasing participation of women in Japan's economy, the database is a positive move. However, it fails to provide the larger framework that will help all women, not just the ones already at the top. The government can be commended for taking action for those female business leaders, but it should be criticized for assuming that helping already successful women will trickle down to benefit all women.
Increasing the number of female professors, business leaders, lawyers and government advisors in boardrooms will help to update business practices and diversify the decision-making process of top corporations. However, the logic seems to be that female executives will always make decisions in the best interests of women. This, however, is simply not true. If more women are put on more corporate boards, they will make decisions on the basis of many factors, just as male executives do.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.