Four New Expert Advisors Appointed to WAIJ to Accelerate Female AI Talent Development

Women AI Initiative Japan (Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Chisato Kunimoto; hereinafter referred to as WAIJ) announces the appointment of four new expert advisors. Welcoming leading professionals from the fields of policy, media, technology, and business, we will further accelerate our activities toward the social implementation of 'Women x AI.'

## Background
While the utilization of AI is rapidly expanding in Japan, women's participation in the digital and AI fields remains a major challenge. Since its establishment, WAIJ has been developing a multi-faceted approach, including community management, reskilling programs, entrepreneurship support, and awareness-raising activities, to enable women to engage with AI technology autonomously.

The appointment of the four new advisors aims to incorporate the knowledge of leading experts in policy, media, technology, and business into WAIJ's activities, while further strengthening collaborations toward the social implementation of 'Women x AI.' Through the enhancement of its advisory structure, WAIJ will accelerate the creation of an environment where more women can confidently challenge themselves with AI.

## Introduction of New Advisors (in Japanese alphabetical order)

### Hiromi Okuda
President and CEO, WizGroup Inc.

**Comment on Appointment**
"A major turning point in technology is also the moment when existing rules are rewritten. Such a period of transformation is a treasure trove of opportunities where 'boundary-crossing talent'—women and those challenging themselves from different fields—can thrive. Thirty years ago, amidst the surging waves of the IT revolution, I also jumped into the IT industry from a different field. Please bring a new breeze to the world ahead. For the realization of a better society.
And above all, I support you in drawing a future with your own hands that you truly find 'fun.'"

**Profile**
Completed the graduate program in Social Work at the University of Mumbai (formerly University of Bombay, India). Started an IT-specialized conference business in 1991. Established WizGroup Inc. in 2001. Began supporting startup development in 2008 and started activities as a startup ecosystem builder. Founded 'Takaranoyama Inc.' in 2013, launching a business that verifies regional social issues using IT. Established the Health and Wellbeing Alliance in 2020, deploying 'WOMB,' a business incubator program for wellbeing. Appointed producer of the global event TechGALA from 2024.
Has served as the head judge for the Ministry of the Environment's 'Environmental Startup Award,' judge for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's 'Mitou IT Talent Discovery and Cultivation Project,' and committee member for the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's 'Medical Venture Promotion Council.' Author of several books including 'The Choice Not to Quit Your Company' (Nikkei BP).

### Shoko Hanyu
President and CEO, Hanyu Pro Inc.

**Comment on Appointment**
"Fostering and producing female leaders in the technology sector, especially in the AI field, is extremely important. Throughout history, when technology has evolved, it has always been predominantly men. The negative effects and lost opportunities caused by this are well known to all. I believe this is a truly meaningful activity, precisely at this timing when AI is becoming widespread."

**Profile**
Entered Kyoto University's Faculty of Agriculture and graduated from the Faculty of Integrated Human Studies. Graduated in 2000, but faced the employment ice age and moved to France. After returning to Japan, experienced various work styles including unemployment, freelance, venture companies, and contract work. Studied under Seigo Matsuoka at the Editorial Engineering Laboratory and was involved in 'Senya Sensatsu.' Joined Nikkei BP in 2005. Became Deputy Editor-in-Chief of 'Nikkei Money' in 2012. Founded and became Editor-in-Chief of 'Nikkei DUAL' in 2013. Founded and became Editor-in-Chief of 'Nikkei xwoman' in 2018. Launched the 'Nikkei Women Empowerment Project' in 2020. Voices the opinions of working women as a committee member for the Cabinet Office's Outline of Measures against Declining Birthrate and as chair of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's 'Co-education Project.' Became President and CEO of Hanyu Pro in 2022. In 2023, served on various committees for the Cabinet Office and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and as producer of the Women's Pavilion WA for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Currently an outside director of Monex Group.

### Akiko Murakami
Managing Executive Officer, Group Chief Data Officer, SOMPO Holdings, Inc. / Executive Officer, Chief Data Officer, General Manager of Data-Driven Management Promotion Department, Sompo Japan Insurance Inc.

**Comment on Appointment**
"As AI permeates society today, various AI-induced risks are occurring. For example, issues where AI unfairly treats women in recruitment due to biases in past data stem from a lack of diversity at the development sites. Therefore, I believe that women, who play a part in diversity, should firmly be present at both the AI development and utilization sites. I also believe that AI will alleviate the difficulties women currently face in life. Working efficiently and balancing life and work—this is becoming possible with AI. The theme of 'AI and Women' is an extremely important issue that must be addressed at this very moment, so I have great expectations for your activities. Let's create a better future together."

**Profile**
Joined IBM Japan in 1999 and engaged in research at its Tokyo Research Laboratory. Joined Sompo Japan in 2021 to promote DX in non-life insurance. After serving as Executive Officer and Chief Digital Officer, she has been promoting data utilization and data governance in non-life insurance as Executive Officer and Chief Data Officer since April 2024. In April 2025, she assumed the role of Managing Executive Officer and Group Chief Data Officer at SOMPO Holdings, Inc. She also serves concurrently as the Director of the AI Safety Institute established by the government.

### Wakako Yata
Former Special Advisor to the Prime Minister (in charge of wages and employment) / Representative Director, Public-Private Partnership DX Women's Active Participation Consortium

**Comment on Appointment**
"Fostering AI talent is an urgent matter. Utilizing the knowledge gained from my efforts in the 'Gender Wage Gap Project Team' as a Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, and the current promotion of female digital talent development with local governments in the 'Public-Private Partnership DX Women's Active Participation Consortium,' I hope to work with all of you to foster female AI talent and expand the fields where they can thrive. I look forward to working with you."

**Profile**
Joined Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (now Panasonic Holdings Corporation) in 1984 and was assigned to the human resources department. In 1990, she proactively proposed the establishment of the 'Female Employee Capability Development Office (Women's Activity Promotion Office),' the first of its kind in a private company, and worked full-time on promoting women's success. In 2000, after serving as a central executive committee member of the company's labor union, she held key positions such as Vice President of the Panasonic Group Labor Union Federation and Chair of the Gender Equality Policy Committee of the Japanese Electrical Electronic & Information Union.
Active as a member of the House of Councillors belonging to the Democratic Party and the Democratic Party for the People from 2016 to 2022. In September 2023, she was appointed Special Advisor to the Prime Minister (in charge of wages and employment) in the Second Kishida Cabinet. She continued to serve in the same position in the First and Second Ishiba Cabinets.
During her tenure, as the first person in charge of wages and employment, she worked on raising wages, including at SMEs, and made efforts to promote the regularization of non-regular workers. She also served as chair of the 'Project Team for Promoting Women's Success in Professional Life,' participated in the 'New Headquarters for the Creation of Regional Economy and Living Environment,' and acted as chief examiner of the 'Regional Work Style and Workplace Reform Support Team,' dedicating herself to policy-making aimed at realizing 'Regions Chosen by Youth and Women (Enjoyable Regions).' Retired as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister in March 2025.
Established the 'Wakako Yata Policy Research Institute' in May of the same year. In July of the same year, she launched the 'Public-Private Partnership DX Women's Active Participation Consortium,' aiming to promote the acquisition of digital skills and employment support for women working in regional areas, and assumed the role of representative.

## Comment from Representative Director Chisato Kunimoto
"I am very encouraged and honored that Ms. Wakako Yata, Ms. Shoko Hanyu, Ms. Akiko Murakami, and Ms. Hiromi Okuda, who have been running at the forefront in the fields of policy, media, AI safety, and startup support, will assume the role of advisors.

We expect Ms. Yata from the perspective of policy-making and public-private partnerships, Ms. Hanyu from the perspective of media and transmission power, Ms. Murakami from the perspective of AI safety and reliability, and Ms. Okuda from the perspective of startup support and ecosystem building to provide new insights and driving force to WAIJ's activities.

For about a year since its establishment as a general incorporated association, WAIJ has steadily accumulated activities that expand the possibilities of 'Women x AI,' such as reskilling programs, entrepreneurship support for women, and community management.

Moving forward into our second year, we will focus on further expanding reskilling programs, promoting partnerships with local governments, fully launching the 'Women's AI Award 2026,' and strengthening policy advocacy activities. Creating an environment where women can learn and play an active role in AI not only in urban areas but all over the country. I believe this will lead to the realization of a society where all women can autonomously choose their own lives."

### Overview of Women AI Initiative Japan
Name: Women AI Initiative Japan
Location: 5F JMF Bldg. Shibuya 03, 2-11-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Established: May 14, 2025
Representative Director: Chisato Kunimoto
Website: https://women-ai-initiative.jp/

### Contact Information
Secretariat, Women AI Initiative Japan
Email: info@women-ai-initiative.jp