Events > Japan-UK Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Seminar 2025
Japan-UK Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Seminar 2025
6 February 2025 - 9.00am to 11.30am
Join this seminar
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) are working together to deliver a virtual Seminar as part of a joint commitment to promote women's economic empowerment.
The online seminar supports the delivery of our joint recognition of the importance of sharing diverse experiences to reduce the systemic barriers faced by women seeking to trade internationally.
The seminar will take place on Thursday 6 February from 9.00am to 11.30am.
It seeks to uphold the commitments set out in the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has been in force since 1 January 2021. The seminar will be a great opportunity for women entrepreneurs, investors and business owners interested in trading with or investing in Japan to hear about the various initiatives and support services offered by a variety of organisations, both in Japan and the UK.
There will also be an opportunity to hear directly from UK women entrepreneurs and business owners that are already trading successfully in Japan. This Event follows a successful Seminar hosted by the UK Government for Japanese businesswomen on 10 July 2024. The Press Notice for that event can be found here.
How to attend this event
This event is free and you can use this form to register your interest in attending.
Should you have any questions, please email genderequality@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
More information about the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Japan-UK WEE seminar programme
|
UK Time |
JP Time |
Lead |
Session |
|
9:00-9:05 (5min) |
18:00-18:05
|
Shige WATANABE Deputy Director-General, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
|
Opening remarks, introductions, housekeeping |
|
9:05-9:15 (10min) |
18:05-18:15 |
Mitsuru MYOCHIN Director-General for Foreign Direct Investment Promotion – Cabinet Office, Government of Japan |
Why Japan (Overview)? Explore why Japan is an excellent opportunity for businesswomen and entrepreneurs interested in establishing or growing a business in Japan. |
|
9:15-9:25 (10min) |
18:15-18:25 |
Yuji SANADA Lead - Innovation Department, JETRO |
Support Measures by JETRO Specific support measures for those considering business expansion into Japan.
|
|
9:25-9:40 (15min) |
18:25-18:40 |
Shige WATANABE Deputy Director-General, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
|
Q&A
|
|
9:40-9:50 (10min) |
18:40-18:50 |
Sarah BACKLEY Executive Director - British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ)
|
Entering the Japanese Market with BCCJ 1. Navigating Cultural and Business Differences 2. Observation on Business Opportunities in Japan 3. The Role of BCCJ in Supporting Businesses Entering the Japan Market |
|
9:50-10:00 (10min) |
18:50-19:00 |
Satoko KUSANO Director – Strategic Business Promotion Division, Office for Startup and Global Financial City Strategy Tokyo Metropolitan Government
|
Invest Tokyo Introduce Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s initiatives on foreign direct investment including bringing in startups. |
|
10:00-10:15 (15min) |
19:00-19:15 |
Shige WATANABE Deputy Director-General, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
|
Q&A |
|
10:15-10:25 (10min) |
19:15-19:25 |
Erika KANAI Senior Associate - ANRI |
ANRI 1. Introduction of ANRI 2. ANRI’s initiatives with non-Japanese startups and female founders 3. How to contact us |
|
10:25-10:35 (10min) |
19:25-19:35 |
Kanako INOUE General Partner – NEXTBLUE
|
NEXTBLUE 1. Introduction of NEXTBLUE 2. NEXTBLUE’s initiatives with European startups and female founders 3. How to contact us |
|
10:35-10:50 (15min)
|
19:35-19:50 |
Shige WATANABE Deputy Director-General, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
|
Q&A |
|
10:50-11:00 (10min) |
19:50-20:00 |
Shoko Doherty CEO – Celtic English Academy |
Business leader spotlight: Sharing experiences and advice from women entrepreneurs that have entered the Japanese market. |
|
11:00-11:10 (10min) |
20:00-20:10 |
Laura Rudoe Founder and CEO – Evolve Organic Beauty
|
Business leader spotlight: Sharing experiences and advice from women entrepreneurs that have entered the Japanese market. |
|
11:10-11:25 (15min) |
20:10-20:25 |
Shige WATANABE Deputy Director-General, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
|
Q&A |
|
11:25-11:30 (5min) |
20:25-20:30 |
Shige WATANABE Deputy Director-General , Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
|
Closing |