Asahi Shimbun Establishes "Think Gender Forum" for Media Professionals to Learn Together
Asahi Shimbun has established the "Think Gender Forum" in April 2026 to promote gender equality among media professionals and is recruiting participants. Scriptwriter Erika Yoshida will deliver a keynote speech, and a seminar will be held in July, operated with support from the Fondation CHANEL.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 14:17 (477h 29m after Collected)
Asahi Shimbun (Representative Director and CEO: Katsu Sumida) is launching the "Think Gender Forum" in April 2026 as a new initiative to promote gender equality, offering learning opportunities for journalists and creators involved in media, and is now recruiting participants. Scriptwriter Erika Yoshida, known for her work on the NHK serial TV novel "Tiger and Wing," will be invited as the keynote speaker, and a seminar will be held in July to learn the latest knowledge on media and gender. In the latter half of fiscal year 2026, a roundtable will be held to share the learning outcomes with citizens and exchange opinions. This forum is operated with the support of the Fondation CHANEL.
To pursue gender-bias-free expression in a rapidly changing modern society, it is necessary for media professionals to learn together and collaborate. The Think Gender Forum aims to foster media professionals who lead the realization of gender equality by gathering frontline media professionals to learn the latest knowledge through lectures and practical training, visualize challenges, and engage in exchange.
Professor Toko Tanaka (Media Culture Studies) from the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, the University of Tokyo, will serve as the general supervisor and provide guidance on the overall program.
## Seminar Outline
[Dates] Two days, July 2 (Thursday) - 3 (Friday), 2026
[Venue] Hama-rikyu Asahi Hall (5-3-2 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, immediately next to Tsukiji-shijo Station on the Toei Oedo Line)
[Participation Fee] Free *Round-trip transportation and accommodation will be provided for participants from distant locations, based on our company's regulations.
[Program] Keynote speech: Erika Yoshida (scriptwriter, novelist), workshops, etc.
[General Supervisor] Toko Tanaka (Professor, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, the University of Tokyo)
[Target Participants]
- Journalists and directors belonging to news organizations (newspaper companies, news agencies, TV stations)
- Individual creators who disseminate information via online media and SNS (regardless of medium)
- Students enrolled in universities in Japan (all grades)
[Capacity] Approximately 40 people (selection process applies)
[Application Method] Please visit the official website.
## Comment from Katsu Sumida, Representative Director and CEO of Asahi Shimbun
I am truly delighted to launch the Think Gender Forum in partnership with the Fondation CHANEL. Gender equality is indispensable for a sustainable society, and we in the media have a responsibility to achieve it. The media, which has long been a male-dominated organization and has continued to disseminate information from a male perspective, is now dramatically changing. I am confident that this partnership will further advance gender equality in media and society.
## Comment from Alison Eskesen, Head of Asia, Fondation CHANEL
Fondation CHANEL is proud of its partnership with Asahi Shimbun. Media is not just about what we see.
To pursue gender-bias-free expression in a rapidly changing modern society, it is necessary for media professionals to learn together and collaborate. The Think Gender Forum aims to foster media professionals who lead the realization of gender equality by gathering frontline media professionals to learn the latest knowledge through lectures and practical training, visualize challenges, and engage in exchange.
Professor Toko Tanaka (Media Culture Studies) from the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, the University of Tokyo, will serve as the general supervisor and provide guidance on the overall program.
## Seminar Outline
[Dates] Two days, July 2 (Thursday) - 3 (Friday), 2026
[Venue] Hama-rikyu Asahi Hall (5-3-2 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, immediately next to Tsukiji-shijo Station on the Toei Oedo Line)
[Participation Fee] Free *Round-trip transportation and accommodation will be provided for participants from distant locations, based on our company's regulations.
[Program] Keynote speech: Erika Yoshida (scriptwriter, novelist), workshops, etc.
[General Supervisor] Toko Tanaka (Professor, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, the University of Tokyo)
[Target Participants]
- Journalists and directors belonging to news organizations (newspaper companies, news agencies, TV stations)
- Individual creators who disseminate information via online media and SNS (regardless of medium)
- Students enrolled in universities in Japan (all grades)
[Capacity] Approximately 40 people (selection process applies)
[Application Method] Please visit the official website.
## Comment from Katsu Sumida, Representative Director and CEO of Asahi Shimbun
I am truly delighted to launch the Think Gender Forum in partnership with the Fondation CHANEL. Gender equality is indispensable for a sustainable society, and we in the media have a responsibility to achieve it. The media, which has long been a male-dominated organization and has continued to disseminate information from a male perspective, is now dramatically changing. I am confident that this partnership will further advance gender equality in media and society.
## Comment from Alison Eskesen, Head of Asia, Fondation CHANEL
Fondation CHANEL is proud of its partnership with Asahi Shimbun. Media is not just about what we see.