REALs Chairperson Rumiko Sekiya to Speak at "KYOBASHI International Women's Day"

Overview

Rumiko Sekiya, Chairperson of the Certified NPO REALs (Headquarters: Shinjuku, Tokyo), an organization dedicated to preventing conflict and building a society where people can coexist, was a keynote speaker at "KYOBASHI International Women's Day" held on March 10, 2026 (Tuesday) at TODA BUILDING.

This event was co-hosted by three companies – TODA CORPORATION, Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., Ltd., and PILOT CORPORATION – in support of the United Nations' "International Women's Day." Kiyosuke Otani, President and Representative Director of TODA CORPORATION; Shigeru Yamada, President and Representative Director of Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., Ltd.; and Fumio Fujisaki, President and Director of PILOT CORPORATION, participated. Chairperson Sekiya's keynote speech introduced REALs' practical examples and achievements in conflict zones regarding women's active participation.

Approximately 290 employees and stakeholders from the three companies, headquartered in Kyobashi, Tokyo, participated in a hybrid format, both online and offline.

From left: Masaho Oguri, Executive Officer, General Manager of Overseas Sales Department, PILOT CORPORATION; Noriko Ruzonka, Executive Officer, Chief Digital Officer, Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., Ltd.; Shigeru Yamada, President and Representative Director, Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., Ltd.; Rumiko Sekiya, Chairperson, NPO REALs (Reach Alternatives); Fumio Fujisaki, President and Director, PILOT CORPORATION; Kiyosuke Otani, President and Representative Director, TODA CORPORATION; Kazumi Atago, Executive Officer, Corporate Headquarters Operations, TODA CORPORATION.

In her keynote speech, Chairperson Sekiya introduced the peacebuilding activities REALs is engaged in within conflict zones in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, under the motto "Implementing Realistic Peace Options." She presented data from an analysis of over 170 peace processes, indicating that peace agreements where women actively participate have a 35% higher probability of lasting over 15 years, and that the probability of failure is 64% lower when civil society representatives are involved. She pointed out that currently, only 9% of peace processes worldwide involve women's participation. Sekiya emphasized that by addressing these challenges, there is potential to bring peace to the world. She stated that REALs is working to achieve "genuine participation" that goes beyond mere formal involvement to bridge these gaps, and actively shares its knowledge through collaborations with corporations and organizations.

Specific achievements of the activities presented included the evacuation support for over 320 individuals to third countries, facilitated by REALs' unique network following the collapse of the Afghan government in 2021 due to the Taliban's takeover. Another example was the conflict and terrorism prevention initiatives in slum areas of Syria and Kenya through the training of local personnel. In the latter case, it was reported that the trained individuals identify and address over 800 conflicts and crimes annually, leading to the resolution of 70-80% of disputes through the establishment of trust between residents and the police.

Following the lecture, a panel discussion featured Chairperson Sekiya, along with Noriko Ruzonka (Executive Officer, Chief Digital Officer, Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., Ltd.), Kazumi Atago (Executive Officer, Corporate Headquarters Operations, TODA CORPORATION), and Masaho Oguri (Executive Officer, General Manager of Overseas Sales Department, PILOT CORPORATION). A lively discussion took place from the perspectives of each industry on building organizational cultures where diverse talent can thrive, extending beyond the framework of "women's active participation.".

Profile of Chairperson Rumiko Sekiya

During her diplomatic career, standing on a tank collected from armed groups during disarmament operations, with UN staff and Afghan soldiers.

Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1977. Inspired to work in conflict zones after seeing news photographs of Rwanda in high school. Graduated from Chuo University Faculty of Policy Studies, holds a Master's degree in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford, UK.

Worked as a UN peacekeeping staff member, diplomat, and NGO staff in Rwanda, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, and other conflict zones. Specializes in peacebuilding, security sector reform, and Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants in conflict areas.

Began working in conflict zones as an NGO resident representative in Rwanda in 2000, after graduating from university.

After obtaining a Master's degree in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford, UK, she worked as a Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) Officer for the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) from 2002, supporting the reintegration of former soldiers into society. Subsequently, she served as a Second Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan, engaged in the disarmament of warlords, and then worked as a DDR Officer for the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), engaging in peacebuilding on the front lines of conflict regions.

In 2007, she became the Secretary General of REALs (formerly the Japan Center for Peacebuilding), and has served as Chairperson since 2013. She has led a wide range of peacebuilding activities in Gaza, Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and other regions, including conflict and terrorism prevention projects, programs to foster women and youth as peacebuilders, promotion of community coexistence, and emergency relief.

Major Awards and Recognitions

2000: Yutaka Amino Award

2009: Featured in NHK's "Professional: Shigoto no Ryugi" (The Professionals: Ways of Working)

2011: "25 Most Respected Japanese in the World" by Newsweek Japan

2012: Nikkei Woman of the Year

2013: Avon Women of the Year Grand Prize

2015: Selected for the UK Government's International Leaders Programme

2022: "10 Women Shaping the World" by The New York Times

2025: Yomiuri Prize for International Cooperation

Books

- Solo Author:

"My Profession is Disarmament" (2015, Asahi Shimbun Publications) - Bestseller, later released in paperback.

- Her activities and books are featured in high school English textbooks such as "CROWN English Communication III" (Sanseido), Japanese language textbooks, and university entrance exams.

Corporate Support

We are seeking corporate partners for joint projects, support, and collaboration with REALs. We also offer keynote speeches for internal company events and employee training. For inquiries and questions, please contact:

contact@reals.org

Donations and Support

REALs' activities are supported by your donations. Donations to REALs, a certified NPO, are eligible for tax deductions (up to approximately 50% of the donation may be refunded).

We receive numerous urgent requests from conflict zones saying, "We want REALs' initiatives implemented in our region too."

To respond to these voices and continue driving change, your support is essential. Won't you join us in building world peace from Japan?

Your donations will be used for the following activities:

・ Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention: Nurturing peacebuilders, establishing community mechanisms

・ Human Resource Development: Training next-generation leaders, including community leaders and specialists in conflict resolution and psychosocial support

・ Economic Self-Sufficiency Support: Employment and entrepreneurship support for women and youth

・ Psychosocial Support and Education: Trauma care, provision of educational opportunities, strengthening community cohesion

・ Emergency Humanitarian Assistance: Distribution of food, medical supplies, and daily necessities; improving living conditions for displaced persons

・ Organizational Operations: Administrative costs such as personnel expenses and office operating costs to ensure the continuous implementation of these activities

*Donations will be flexibly allocated to the most needed areas and purposes across REALs' overall peacebuilding and emergency relief activities, including those listed above.

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Donation: https://reals.org/support/donation.html

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Other Support: https://reals.org/support/index.html

Bequest Donation Inquiries: https://reals.org/information/other/izokifu_2025.html

About Certified NPO REALs

Certified NPO REALs was founded in 1999. It engages in "activities to prevent conflict and build peace" and "emergency relief to save lives in crisis" in conflict zones. Currently, REALs operates in Gaza, Syria, Turkey, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Kenya, and other regions. By nurturing individuals in conflict zones, honing their expertise and aspirations as peacebuilders and conflict preventers, REALs aims to change "people," who then collaborate and take on roles to change community "mechanisms." This, in turn, creates ripple effects in politics, policy, other regions, and for future generations, ultimately aiming to change "society."

In fiscal year 2024, REALs trained 403 peacebuilders in conflict zones worldwide. By fostering individuals who can detect early signs of conflict in their communities, 93% of disputes within communities were prevented. All projects incorporate next-generation development and a gender perspective, working towards the realization of more inclusive and sustainable peace.

Location: Shinjuku, Tokyo

Representative Director: Rumiko Sekiya

Website: https://reals.org

X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/NPO_REALS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NPOREALs/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/npo_reals/

Activity reports are published annually on the website: https://reals.org/about/document.html

Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Certified NPO REALs (Reach Alternatives)

Public Relations: Yuka Yuasa

Email: contact@reals.org

TEL: 03-5579-8395