New Management Structure Established to Lead the Inheritance and Innovation of Kimono Culture
Nihon Wasou Holdings has launched a new management structure with a 62.5% female board member ratio.
Nihon Wasou Holdings Co., Ltd. (TSE Standard; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo), which operates free "Kimono Dressing Classes" nationwide, has established a new management structure following the approval of a shareholder proposal by our controlling shareholder and founder, Shigehisa Yoshida, at the 40th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on March 27, 2026. While details such as the biographies of the new officers are available in the IR information disclosed on the same day, this release highlights the key characteristics of the new management team.
One of the major features of this new board structure is its progressive approach to gender balance. Out of eight directors (including external directors), five are women, representing a ratio of 62.5%. This significantly exceeds the government's target of 30% female board representation by 2030.
Furthermore, among internal directors, three out of five are women, reaching a ratio of 60%. According to 2024 data from Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), the ratio of female internal directors across all listed companies stands at only 3.3%; by simple comparison, our company is at a level approximately 18 times higher. We believe this figure places us at the top tier even when compared to other TSE-listed companies actively promoting gender balance.
This selection was not made solely to increase the female ratio. The newly appointed female officers possess advanced expertise and extensive experience, including those who have served as leaders and instructors at our key locations, as well as professionals with expertise as Labor and Social Security Attorneys and proven track records as corporate executives.
By promoting internal talent who have established their expertise and social status through their own efforts regardless of gender, and by recruiting from outside the company, our management structure will evolve to be more multifaceted and highly effective.
Our male officers, including corporate auditors, also bring a wealth of experience and specialized knowledge. This includes founder Shigehisa Yoshida, who conceived and developed our business model, as well as former company directors, real estate experts, tax accountants, certified public accountants, IT/DX specialists, and individuals with tax accountant qualifications from the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau.
As a company dealing in the traditional Japanese culture of kimono, we have always incorporated new perspectives and innovations while inheriting its value. The diversity and inclusivity inherent in kimono culture are deeply connected to the modern concept of diversity. This new management structure is a symbolic initiative that embodies both the "inheritance of culture" and the "challenge of innovation."
Moving forward, we aim to realize value creation and sustainable growth that transcends the boundaries of gender and diversity by integrating expertise, experience, and diverse perspectives.
■ Company Overview
Nihon Wasou Holdings Co., Ltd.
Business Description: Sales brokerage for kimonos and obi sashes. Operates free kimono dressing classes nationwide.
Headquarters: 5F Roppongi Hills North Tower, 6-2-31 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Shigehisa Yoshida, President and Representative Director
Listing: TSE Standard Market (Securities Code: 2499)