Prime Minister Shinzo Abe exchanged views with eminent women at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for your attendance at this meeting. I am sure you no doubt have very busy schedules. As Minister Mori has just explained, more and more major Japanese companies are now appointing one female director. Being the only man in attendance today, I can imagine how female directors must feel when placed in a similar position. Like you, I too feel a sense of unease under such circumstances.
The policy of the Abe administration is to create a society in which all women shine. This is a core principle of the Abe administration's growth strategy. I would like to make maximum use of the abilities and wishes of every woman, including those who are successful in their work, those who are working hard in their homes, and those who play a role on the international stage.
One might say that, to date, without our being fully conscious of it, a male-centered perspective has taken root in Japan. In order to change this, we must bring about large-scale societal reforms.
Today I would like to learn about your experiences to date and hear your frank opinions. I would like to then make use of this to build a country where all women can feel confidence and pride in their own lifestyles, and fulfill their true potential in life.
Creating a society in which all women shine cannot be achieved by domestic measures alone. We plan to hold an international symposium on creating a society in which all women shine in September and I strongly hope that Japan can lead efforts to facilitate women’s active role at a global level. In addition to sharing Japan’s measures with the world, I would like to develop such measures into a worldwide movement. I look forward to making use of the views expressed today in the September symposium.”