How are Women Entrepreneurs Leveraging Opportunities to Establish Businesses in the Japanese Political, Socioeconomic, and Cultural Context? Women Entrepreneurs in Japan are leveraging: Strong Entrepreneurial Networks Exposure to Entrepreneurship, Influential Role Models, and Ability to Recognize and Seize Business Opportunities.

1. Women Entrepreneurs in
Japan
Julie 妙子 Gramlich |
julie.gramlich@gmail.com |
http://www.juliegramlich.com/ |

2. AGENDA
 Research Question
 Background
 Methodology
 Results
 Conclusion
 Q&A

3. RESEARCH QUESTION

4. How are Women Entrepreneurs
Leveraging Opportunities to Establish
Businesses in the Japanese Political,
Socioeconomic, and Cultural Context?
Opportunity: A situation / condition favorable for attainment of a goal.
Leverage: Use (something) to its maximum advantage.
Socioeconomic: Relating to the interaction of social and economic factors.

5. BACKGROUND

6. Political, Socioeconomic, & Cultural Landscape
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
POLITICAL
• Equal Employment
Opportunity Law of 1986
• The government announced
that 220,000 new day care
spots would be established
by 2020.
• “Abenomics:” Increase the
proportion of mothers who
return to work after birth of
1st child to 55% by 2020.
POLITICAL
• Japan ranks 111 / 144 countries
(The Word Economic Forum‘s
Global Gender Gap Report of 2017).
• As of April 1, 2018, still over 19,895
children on waiting lists for daycare
services nationwide.
• マタハラ or “Maternity Harassment”
still occurs. The Supreme Court
ruled it illegal to discriminate against
pregnant women only in 2014.

7. Political, Socioeconomic, & Cultural Landscape
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
SOCIOECONOMIC
• Over 90% of consumer goods
are purchased by Japanese
women who control family
budgets
• Technology: Levels the playing
field
• Highly educated female
workforce
SOCIOECONOMIC
• Twin Dilemma: Japan has an
aging population, coupled with
the world’s lowest birth rate.
• When women have their 1st
child, 70% of them stop working
in Japan (versus 30% in
America)

8. Political, Socioeconomic, & Cultural Landscape
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
CULTURAL
• Motherhood and
taking care of the
children and
household, is highly
valued in Japanese
society.
CULTURAL
• In 2014, 50% of Japanese men believed
that the “Husband is expected to work
outside the home, while wife is expected to
take on domestic duties.” (Japanese
Government’s Gender Equality Cabinet
Office)
• On average, Japanese husbands spend an
average of 1 hour per day on housework
and childcare, versus the American husband,
who spends 3 hours. (Gender Equality
Cabinet Office)

9. METHODOLOGY

10. Qualitative
+ Semi-Structured
Interviews
+ Previous Research
+ Existing Databases

11. Databases &
Existing
Research

12. Data Collection
Name Company Company Focus Employees
Mariko
Fukui
Aalto
International
An international PR & Branding
for companies that want to sell in
Japan.
Aalto has offices in Singapore,
Germany & Kyoto.
17
Kay
Deguchi
Ochanomizu
Orthopedic
Clinic
Ochanomizu Orthopedic Clinic is
a rehabilitation clinic in Tokyo.
50

13. RESULTS

14. Mariko Fukui CHALLENGES
Independence: Courage to go against conventions
(Disadvantage in Japan).
Language Skills: Learned English in Singapore by
making 100 cold calls a day.
Societal Expectations: Even amongst fellow
entrepreneurs, she is still expected to serve food or
drinks to others.

15. Mariko Fukui
OPPORTUNITES
Risk-Taking Attitude: “If not me, then who else?”
Entrepreneurial Exposure: Exposure to
entrepreneurs in Kyoto
Self-Confidence: By embracing new challenges,
she has steadily gained confidence.
Discovering Hidden Opportunities: Through
constant risk-taking & pushing herself outside of her
comfort zone.
Positive Mindset: Doing her best to enjoy both the
good & bad times.
Entrepreneurial Network: The guidance and
advice she received from her network.

16. CHALLENGES
Unconventional Career Path: Unlike her peers,
she was not married by 25, moved to the US to
start a brand new career, and ignored societal
pressures and expectations.
Being a Female Boss: Makes male employees
and even clients, uncomfortable.
The Bamboo & Glass Ceiling: Within every
challenge, “we can find a brand new door, or work
within those boundaries.”
Kay Deguchi

17. OPPORTUNITES
Risk-Taking Attitude: To maximize her potential.
Positive, Growth Mindset: Optimistic. Viewing
every experience as a learning opportunity.
Self-Awareness: Never takes herself too
seriously.
Role Models: Acting as a role model in society, as
well as finding international women to look up too.
Discovering Hidden Opportunities: Instead of
viewing it as a restriction, she learns how to work
within those boundaries.
Kay Deguchi

18. Yuka Imanishi CHALLENGES
Typical Japanese Companies: No freedom, no
flexibility, inability to take risks, etc.
Business: Only 5% of all businesses succeed.
Freedom & Flexibility: A blessing & a curse to
have freedom — could work 24/7, but she’s also
her own boss.
Career & Children: How to manage both.

19. Yuka Imanishi OPPORTUNITES
Family Support: Extremely supportive &
encouraging husband. Rejected housewife option.
Recognition & Capacity to Seize Business
Chances: Strong demand & need for the service
Role Models: Extensive network of male & female
entrepreneur friends.
Risk-Taking Attitude: “Your life begins at the end
of your comfort zone.”
Entrepreneurial Exposure: Startup Experience at
a Conglomerate

20. CONCLUSION

21. Key Takeaways
OPPORTUNITIES
Discovering Hidden
Business Opportunities
(Recognition & Capacity to
Seize Business Chances)
Role Models
Entrepreneurial Network
Entrepreneurial Exposure
SUCCESS FACTORS
Risk-Taking Attitude
Positive, Growth Mindset
Passionate (Enjoying the
Good & the Bad Times)
Viewing Everything as a
Learning Experience
Self-Awareness
Self-Confidence

22. Implications
How are Women Entrepreneurs Leveraging Opportunities to
Establish Businesses in the Japanese Political, Socioeconomic,
and Cultural Context?
Women Entrepreneurs are leveraging:
• Strong Entrepreneurial Networks
• Exposure to Entrepreneurship,
• Influential Role Models, and
• Ability to Recognize and Seize Business Opportunities.

23. Recommendations
1. Host Workshops Featuring Women Entrepreneurs to
Promote Female Role Models
2. Facilitate Networking Events Both Offline & Online
3. Partner with Private Corporations (Intrapreneurship) to
Foster Entrepreneurial Exposure
4. Host Workshops to Increase Confidence & Encourage
Calculated Risk-Taking

24. Q&A