2026 Edition 'BEST100 Companies Where Women Shine': Tokio Marine Nichido Fire Insurance Ranks First Overall
Nikkei BP and Nikkei Inc. Group conducted a 'Survey on Corporate Women's Empowerment' and announced the 2026 edition of 'BEST100 Companies Where Women Shine.' Tokio Marine Nichido Fire Insurance secured the top spot overall, recognized for abolishing work location distinctions and implementing mentoring programs. This survey, which measures women's job satisfaction and ease of work, is now in its 24th iteration.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 09:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 00:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 00:55 (23 min after Collected)
Nikkei BP (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Tetsuya Iguchi), publisher of 'Nikkei Woman,' a women's magazine supporting working women's careers, and the 'Nikkei Women's Empowerment Project' of the Nikkei Inc. Group, conducted a 'Survey on Corporate Women's Empowerment' and compiled the 2026 edition of 'BEST100 Companies Where Women Shine.' Based on responses from 451 companies, the comprehensive ranking of the BEST100 was announced in the June issue of 'Nikkei Woman' (on sale May 7). This survey has been conducted irregularly by 'Nikkei Woman' since its launch in 1988, marking its 24th iteration.
The survey measures and scores the actual state of women's active participation from two perspectives: 'job satisfaction' and 'ease of work,' using four indicators: 1. Managerial Promotion Rate, 2. Women's Empowerment Promotion Rate, 3. Work-Life Balance Rate, and 4. Human Resource Diversity Rate. These scores are then converted into a standard deviation to create a total score, from which the overall ranking is compiled. The summary of results is as follows:
'Companies Where Women Shine' Overall Ranking BEST10
This year, the overall first place went to Tokio Marine Nichido Fire Insurance (4th overall in 2025). They abolished the distinction between 'general career track' and 'general career track (area-limited)' positions, unifying them into a single 'general career track.' They transitioned to a system and operation that evaluates and treats employees based on performance and responsibilities, regardless of attributes. To create an inclusive workplace environment, they also developed a mentoring program for management and部長層 (department head level). A cross-company mentoring program, started in 2023, is also continuously implemented.
Second place went to Japan Post Bank (9th overall in 2025). They formed an organization comprising all female executives and department heads at the headquarters to develop unique initiatives. They also conduct roundtables for direct discussions with management. To boost female employees' motivation for promotion, they introduced a 'diagonal 1-on-1' program that transcends organizational boundaries to meet with role models.
Third place was EY Japan (1st overall in 2025). They further strengthened the development of female executive candidates. Executives provide one-on-one guidance, and opportunities to participate as observers in management meetings are also offered. In addition, they introduced AI coaching, establishing a system that is psychologically safe and available 24 hours a day, achieving effective operation.
In addition to the overall ranking, four 'departmental rankings' were also created. The evaluation points for each department and the top companies in each department are as follows:
[Managerial Promotion Rate] Department
~ Evaluates the number of female executives and the proportion of women in management positions. Also checks the number of internal and external directors.
First place is PwC Japan Group. The ratio of female managers in 2025 was 24.6%. They continuously strive to improve their initiatives by cross-sectionally checking the ratio of female applicants, hires, promotions, and resignations across all corporations.
Second place is EY Japan. Six out of 17 members of the management meeting, equivalent to the board of directors, are women. The ratio of female managers is 20.1%. Each department head is assigned target values for the ratio of female managers, linked to performance evaluations.
Third place is Japan Airlines. The ratio of female executives is 28.5%, and the ratio of female managers is 24.1%. They are promoting the appointment of female managers across job types and groups, based on ability, without being limited by their field of origin at the time of hiring.
[Women's Empowerment Promotion Rate] Department
~ Evaluated based on the presence of dedicated organizations for women's empowerment and training programs for female employees.
SMBC Nikko Securities, Daiwa Securities Group, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Group, NTT East, and Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance tied for first place.
SMBC Nikko Securities launched a Diversity Management Promotion Committee with the president at the top. With the vision of 'Diversity as a driving force for growth,' they foster a culture that promotes the active participation of diverse employees.
Daiwa Securities Group has established a job transfer system that allows employees to challenge a wide range of careers, with approximately 1,200 people having transferred to core positions. They also conduct training for female manager candidates.
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Group has a list of over 100 female managers whose expertise and knowledge are visualized. Based on this, they provide opportunities to gain experience at the forefront both internally and externally, contributing to enhancing their presence.
NTT East dispatches female department heads to cross-company mentoring programs. Through mentoring by executives from other companies, they aim to foster a mindset and support further career development.
Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance conducts 1-on-1 sessions for women aspiring to management positions and wishing to challenge unexplored fields, connecting them with senior female colleagues who are active in their desired careers, leading to career advancement.
[Work-Life Balance Rate] Department
~ Evaluates total annual working hours, paid leave acquisition rate, and parental leave acquisition rates for both men and women.
First place is Sumitomo Life Insurance. They operate a personnel evaluation system that highly values 'highly productive employees' who achieve results with fewer total working hours. They have achieved business efficiency by utilizing AI for customer management and human resource development.
Second place, Nippon Life Insurance, achieved a 100% male parental leave acquisition rate for 13 consecutive years. Approximately 40% of male managers have experience taking parental leave. Increased understanding of childcare also contributes to the ease of work for female employees.
Third place is Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance.
The survey measures and scores the actual state of women's active participation from two perspectives: 'job satisfaction' and 'ease of work,' using four indicators: 1. Managerial Promotion Rate, 2. Women's Empowerment Promotion Rate, 3. Work-Life Balance Rate, and 4. Human Resource Diversity Rate. These scores are then converted into a standard deviation to create a total score, from which the overall ranking is compiled. The summary of results is as follows:
'Companies Where Women Shine' Overall Ranking BEST10
This year, the overall first place went to Tokio Marine Nichido Fire Insurance (4th overall in 2025). They abolished the distinction between 'general career track' and 'general career track (area-limited)' positions, unifying them into a single 'general career track.' They transitioned to a system and operation that evaluates and treats employees based on performance and responsibilities, regardless of attributes. To create an inclusive workplace environment, they also developed a mentoring program for management and部長層 (department head level). A cross-company mentoring program, started in 2023, is also continuously implemented.
Second place went to Japan Post Bank (9th overall in 2025). They formed an organization comprising all female executives and department heads at the headquarters to develop unique initiatives. They also conduct roundtables for direct discussions with management. To boost female employees' motivation for promotion, they introduced a 'diagonal 1-on-1' program that transcends organizational boundaries to meet with role models.
Third place was EY Japan (1st overall in 2025). They further strengthened the development of female executive candidates. Executives provide one-on-one guidance, and opportunities to participate as observers in management meetings are also offered. In addition, they introduced AI coaching, establishing a system that is psychologically safe and available 24 hours a day, achieving effective operation.
In addition to the overall ranking, four 'departmental rankings' were also created. The evaluation points for each department and the top companies in each department are as follows:
[Managerial Promotion Rate] Department
~ Evaluates the number of female executives and the proportion of women in management positions. Also checks the number of internal and external directors.
First place is PwC Japan Group. The ratio of female managers in 2025 was 24.6%. They continuously strive to improve their initiatives by cross-sectionally checking the ratio of female applicants, hires, promotions, and resignations across all corporations.
Second place is EY Japan. Six out of 17 members of the management meeting, equivalent to the board of directors, are women. The ratio of female managers is 20.1%. Each department head is assigned target values for the ratio of female managers, linked to performance evaluations.
Third place is Japan Airlines. The ratio of female executives is 28.5%, and the ratio of female managers is 24.1%. They are promoting the appointment of female managers across job types and groups, based on ability, without being limited by their field of origin at the time of hiring.
[Women's Empowerment Promotion Rate] Department
~ Evaluated based on the presence of dedicated organizations for women's empowerment and training programs for female employees.
SMBC Nikko Securities, Daiwa Securities Group, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Group, NTT East, and Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance tied for first place.
SMBC Nikko Securities launched a Diversity Management Promotion Committee with the president at the top. With the vision of 'Diversity as a driving force for growth,' they foster a culture that promotes the active participation of diverse employees.
Daiwa Securities Group has established a job transfer system that allows employees to challenge a wide range of careers, with approximately 1,200 people having transferred to core positions. They also conduct training for female manager candidates.
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Group has a list of over 100 female managers whose expertise and knowledge are visualized. Based on this, they provide opportunities to gain experience at the forefront both internally and externally, contributing to enhancing their presence.
NTT East dispatches female department heads to cross-company mentoring programs. Through mentoring by executives from other companies, they aim to foster a mindset and support further career development.
Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance conducts 1-on-1 sessions for women aspiring to management positions and wishing to challenge unexplored fields, connecting them with senior female colleagues who are active in their desired careers, leading to career advancement.
[Work-Life Balance Rate] Department
~ Evaluates total annual working hours, paid leave acquisition rate, and parental leave acquisition rates for both men and women.
First place is Sumitomo Life Insurance. They operate a personnel evaluation system that highly values 'highly productive employees' who achieve results with fewer total working hours. They have achieved business efficiency by utilizing AI for customer management and human resource development.
Second place, Nippon Life Insurance, achieved a 100% male parental leave acquisition rate for 13 consecutive years. Approximately 40% of male managers have experience taking parental leave. Increased understanding of childcare also contributes to the ease of work for female employees.
Third place is Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance.