D ialogue between Chairperson and Directors

Utilizing the Diversity of the Region to Achieve a Brighter Future Together
The dialogue was held on the theme of the diverse issues faced by local communities and diversity
and inclusion (D&I), a key to solving those issues.

Regional Revitalization

D&I

Tsuge: Since the Juroku Financial Group’s activity area is Aichi andGifu prefectures, where manufacturing industries are flourishing, it

Murase: With the declining birthrate, the question being asked iswould be a great advantage if we could contribute the different“how to create an environment that actively welcomes a diverse“sensitivities” of each of our employees to the development of local

workforce” in order to revitalize the region.

industries.

Ishikawa: Yes, that is correct. In the Company, we encourage our

Ito: Nowadays, we are in an era where consumers demand quality.

employees to find their own value and grow autonomously while

Since there are a lot of professionals in this region, we believe there ismaking the most of their individuality in the new HR system thatplenty of opportunity if we can link real techniques to sales in line

began in April 2023.

with the consumer mindset.

Tsuge: Given the growing trend toward human capital management,

Murase: Local industry is a symbol of sustainability because it is athe new HR system, which embraces diversity and maximizes theform of local tradition. I believe that bringing together young people

value of all employees, will also enhance the medium- to long-termfrom the city and people from abroad will make it easier to come up

value of the Juroku Financial Group.

with innovative ideas. As a company that supports the region, we

Ito: In today’s business scene, “sensitivity” is increasingly required inwant to actively contribute to its sustainable growth.

addition to mere expertise and technical skills. For this reason, I
think it is very important to have an environment where people canfeel close to “abundant nature, history, and culture.” In that sense, I

NaohikoIshikawa

Director (Member of theAudit & SupervisoryCommittee)
Juroku Financial Group, Inc.

Yukio
MuraseRepresentative Director andChairperson
Juroku Financial Group, Inc.

SatokoIto

Outside Director
Juroku Financial Group, Inc.

SatoeTsuge

Outside Director (Memberof the Audit & SupervisoryCommittee)
Juroku Financial Group, Inc.

Advancement of Women

D&I

think there are more opportunities to develop “sensitivity” in rural

Ito: Gifu and Aichi prefectures have excellent manufacturing

areas.

techniques, but I believe that from now on it will also be necessary toIshikawa: Efforts are being made to combine the uniquehave a service industry perspective as well. I expect that new ideas

geographical advantages of this region, with its abundant nature andwill be generated through the active participation of women in suchadjacent major cities, with business. However, we also need to makeworkplaces.

efforts to improve our “sensitivity” as it is our role to enhance theMurase: Female involvement is indispensable for the development ofdiversity of the region.

local industries. In this context, the World Economic Forum recently

Murase: The environment is becoming more conducive for people toreleased the Gender Gap Index 2023, in which Japan ranked a low

draw on their own strengths even in rural areas. By understanding

125th among 146 countries. Looking at the content of the index,

local culture and values and applying them to business, we canJapan’s disparities are particularly noticeable in the economic field.

establish “profound connections with local people.” It will also help

Tsuge: Regarding the economy, while standards are being imposed

us provide more effective services.

on listed companies, such as “the ratio of female directors should be

Ito: That is correct. Recently, there has been a movement among

30% or more,” personally, I feel that the political field is still lagging

Tokyo-based companies to expand their base of activities to regional

behind. I think that if politics does not change, the whole country

areas as well. I believe there is a strong desire to improve the ability

will not change.

to understand and respond to the unique culture and values of theIto: It is true that many people do not feel a gender gap when theyregions. Conversely, a surprisingly large number of people active inare students. But as soon as you go out into the world and startTokyo are also from rural areas, so I feel that the environment inworking, the reality is that some people will start to think, “What’swhich one was raised is an important factor in one’s ability to succeedwrong? Why is this different?” and feel an inequality between menin business.

and women.

Murase: Previously, many jobs were completed locally, andMurase: If we look at politics and the economy, it is true that women

opportunities to expand business from Gifu to Tokyo or overseas wereare still underrepresented, and I think there is an obvious gap that welimited. Advances in technology bring new opportunities to local

cannot see.

cities. With fewer geographical constraints, it is easier to bring

Ito: Companies should firmly create an environment in which

together diverse perspectives and ideas from people with different

women can develop their careers even after having children.

backgrounds, and richer, more creative solutions are more likely to

Realistically, however, many companies may find it impossible toemerge.

89Murase: In the “FY2023 Survey of New Employees’ Attitudes,”expressed. It is wonderful to see the appointment of the first female

Tsuge: As someone in a position to nurture young people, I think it

conducted by Juroku Research Institute Co., Ltd., respondents wereexecutive officer at the Juroku Financial Group.

is important to support employees by providing them with theasked about “What kind of place is a company?” Among women, theMurase: From now on, I would like to abandon the homogeneity andnecessary information and opportunities and encouraging andmost common response was “a place to contribute to society.” Thistaciturnity that are peculiar to Japan and encourage outside directors

supporting them if they are not able to keep up.

accounted for 32% of the female responses, far more than the 21% ofsuch as Ms. Ito and Ms. Tsuge to speak more freely.

Ito: Ultimately, it is very important to enhance one’s own skills orthe male responses.

Ishikawa: The first step is for individuals to express their own ideas.

attractiveness in order to become someone who people want to work

Tsuge: I really feel that there are a lot of ambitious women theseThen, through repeated discussions, diversity will be created inwith. To achieve this, I must do my best to do what is given to me

days. At a gathering I recently attended to discuss diversity, I wasindividuals and in the organization.

and become a person who can be trusted. I believe that thevery encouraged by the participation of high school and college

accumulation of these efforts will lead to diversity as all kinds ofwomen who were highly aware of the issue.

people become more accepting of each other.

Ito: Many respondents answered “a place to earn income” to the same

Murase: Professor Ichijo of IMD, who has been our Executive

question, 33% of men and 28% of women, which is a very practical

Advisor since last May, told us in his lecture that the IMD Businessanswer. Under traditional values, there was a strong tendency for

School for Management and Leadership Courses, where European“men to earn money and women to take care of the home,” and men

executives attend, has a two-hour cocktail reception in the evening

felt pressured to do so. However, in an age where women are working

curriculum every day. Here, they are trained to be able tocontinue the same career as before while raising children. I think weas hard as men, if they can support each other and not just men, they

communicate with people of different religions, cultures, andneed to improve this perspective somehow.

will be able to secure a decent income. I think that kind of life iscountries even when they meet them for the first time, and they use

Murase: Companies must have a solid human resource system inideal.

all their knowledge and experience to build relationships with people
they have never met before.

place that does not put women at a career disadvantage once theyleave the company for maternity or childcare leave. I think it is also
very important to create a system that does not put men at a10Governance

Tsuge: To do that, you would have to have a variety of topics to draw

D&I

from on a regular basis in order to keep the conversation going.

disadvantage when it comes to parental leave, which will lead toTsuge: Japanese corporate culture has long been shaped by male

Murase: I also need such study to improve my human skills. I hopecorporate growth and innovation.

leadership. There is an emphasis on homogeneity, such as not sayingthat the officers and employees of the Group will experience theirTsuge: While more women are motivated to work these days, I also

what you think, not questioning, as well as the customary rules thatown growth first-hand through the development of their humanhear people saying that they do not aspire to higher positions. Rather

have been in place for a long time, which is said to be a cause ofskills, and realize a productive life as a member of the same company

than feeling the pressure of responsibility, I think many women mayinjustice. In this sense, the mandatory appointment of outside

Ito: Embracing diversity means that an individual must have aand community. I also hope that each of them will make the most ofimagine a lack of work-life balance, such as “difficulty balancing

directors is a very good thing for Japanese companies. When you lookcertain level of self-improvement, or he or she will not have thetheir individualities to help the people of this region andpersonal and family life,” from the sight of their bosses working longat something with an outsider’s eye, you might notice things andability to recognize diversity. First, we must look at ourselves anddemonstrate the presence of the Group.

hours. In order to promote the advancement of women, it may bethink, “Why are you doing this?” While learning about the role ofgrow fully. Self-improvement is important as I believe that diversity

necessary to educate those in higher positions who have a strong

outside directors, I was taught that it is important to speak without

can be recognized precisely because I myself have grown.

influence within the company to change the way they work.

reading the room, and since then I have been conscious of this when

Ishikawa: Each individual’s increased autonomy and uniqueness will

Ishikawa: Many efforts are being made to promote the advancement

attending board meetings. I also think that increasing the number ofalso help to enhance corporate governance. Ms. Tsuge and Ms. Ito,of women. I heard that a female employee who had worked in a job

female directors would be very meaningful, as it would help

how did you enhance your human skills?

that previously had a strong image of being performed by men said,

revitalize the Board of Directors in terms of diverse opinions being

Tsuge: The people and senior staff at my current audit firm have

“At first I was worried, but now I am thankful that my future

great human qualities, and I have had the opportunity to listen topossibilities have expanded.”lectures and have discussions with them about what I should focus on

Murase: Going forward, I would like to see both local communities

to improve my human skills, which I think has been very beneficial. Iand companies actively involved in creating an environment

have also been interested in many things myself and have made an

conducive to raising children, such as by “improving childcare

effort to learn not only in my field of expertise, but also by attending

systems and childcare support facilities and reviewing work systems,”

seminars and reading books in other fields. I believe that I have beenso that local residents and employees can easily make these choices.

greatly influenced in many ways by the wonderful people I have met

Ito: In order to create an environment where women can workin the process.

comfortably, I feel the need to change men’s sense of values. Even if aIto: In my professional life, I was employed in a job that allowed me

workplace environment is created, it will be meaningless without

to meet people from many different industries, so I spent my days

men’s understanding of housework and childcare. Therefore, it isexperiencing first-hand the diverse ways of thinking through mynecessary for companies to consider that even if men are activelywork. I believe this has resulted in my current diversity. If you have

involved in housework and childcare, it will not hinder their career

the opportunity to meet people in different fields, you should meetdevelopment.

them, and I feel that nothing is ever wasted, and that if you seek andTsuge: That is correct. In terms of supporting women’s activities, it

gain experience yourself, you will inevitably connect with what you

is meaningful to increase the rate at which men take childcare leave.

need.

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