Japan adds female executives but they take only 8% of board seats

Participation falls well short of West even after 60% jump over two years

Japan has made strides in boosting women's participation in the management of corporations.

TOSHIHISA KINOUCHI, Nikkei senior staff writer

March 8, 2021 05:27 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese businesses have made progress in naming more women who have risen through the ranks to executive positions, but female participation in management still falls far short of levels in Western nations.

The number of female executives in Japan rose nearly 60% over two years through mid-2020, according to a survey by Nikkei Inc. and corporate governance advisory firm ProNed conducted to mark International Women's Day on Monday.