Four New Experts Appointed as Advisors for WAIJ. Accelerating the Development of Female AI Talent.

General Incorporated Association Women AI Initiative Japan (Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Chisato Kunimoto, hereinafter WAIJ) announces the appointment of four new expert advisors. We will further accelerate our activities towards the social implementation of women x AI by welcoming experts at the forefront of policy, media, technology, and business domains.

■ Background

While AI utilization is rapidly expanding in Japan, the participation of women in the digital and AI fields remains a significant challenge. Since its establishment, WAIJ has been multifaceted in its community management, reskilling programs, entrepreneurship support, and awareness activities to enable women to independently engage with AI technology.

The appointment of four new advisors this time aims to incorporate the knowledge of experts at the forefront of policy, media, technology, and business domains into WAIJ's activities and to further strengthen collaboration towards the social implementation of women x AI. Through the enhancement of the advisor system, WAIJ will accelerate the creation of an environment where more women can confidently pursue AI.

■ Introduction of New Advisors (in Japanese alphabetical order)

■ Hiromi Okuda 氏

▼ Statement of Appointment

“Major technological turning points are also moments when existing rules are rewritten. In such transformative periods, there is a treasure trove of opportunities for women and 'cross-border talent' challenging from different fields to shine. Thirty years ago, I also jumped into the IT industry from a different field amidst the waves of the IT revolution. Bring a new wind to the world to come. For the realization of a better society.

And above all, I am cheering you on to draw the future you truly feel 'fun' with your own hands.”

▼ Profile

Completed graduate studies in social welfare at the University of Mumbai (then: Bombay University). Founded an IT-specialized conference business in 1991. Established Wiz Group Inc. in 2001. Began supporting startup growth in 2008, initiating activities as a startup ecosystem builder. In 2013, founded "Takaranoyama Inc." and began verifying projects with regional social issues x IT. In 2020, established the General Incorporated Association Health and Wellbeing Alliance and developed WOMB, a business incubator program for wellbeing. In 2024, became the producer of the global event TechGALA.
Served as Chairperson of the judging committee for the Ministry of the Environment's "Environmental Startup Award," a committee member for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "Untapped IT Human Resource Discovery and Development Program," and a committee member for the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "Medical Venture Promotion Conference." Authored books including "The Choice Not to Quit Your Job" (Nikkei BP), "Life Works Out with a Leap of Faith" (Sogo Horei Publishing), and "Just Do What Excites You!" (PHP Publishing).

■ Sachiko Hanyu 氏

▼ Statement of Appointment

“The development and promotion of female leaders in the technology field, especially AI, is very important. When technology evolves, historically, it has always been dominated by men. The disadvantages and lost opportunities resulting from this are well known to everyone. I believe this is a meaningful activity precisely at this time when AI is becoming widespread.”

▼ Profile

Enrolled in the Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University, and graduated from the Faculty of Integrated Human Studies. Graduated in 2000, but faced the severe employment market and moved to France. After returning to Japan, experienced diverse work styles including unemployment, freelance, startup, and contract employment. Studied under Masayoshi Matsuoka at the Editorial Engineering Laboratory and was involved in "Senya Senjyu Books." Joined the current Nikkei BP in 2005. Served as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of "Nikkei Money" in 2012. Launched "Nikkei DUAL" in 2013 and served as its Editor-in-Chief. Launched "Nikkei xwoman" in 2018 and served as its Editor-in-Chief. Initiated the "Women's Empowerment Project" in 2020. Represented the voices of working women as a committee member for the Cabinet Office's Panel on Childcare Support and Chairperson of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "Co-Education Project." Became Representative Director and President of Hanyu Pro Inc. in 2022. In 2023, served as a committee member for various councils of the Cabinet Office and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and Producer of the Women's Pavilion WA for the Osaka-Kansai Expo. Currently serves as an external director for Monex Group.

■ Akiko Murakami 氏

▼ Statement of Appointment

“As AI becomes pervasive in society, various AI-related risks are emerging. For example, problems such as unfair treatment of women in hiring due to biases in past data have been a challenge stemming from a lack of diversity in development teams. Therefore, I believe that women, who represent a part of diversity, should be firmly present in both AI development and utilization fields. Furthermore, I believe AI can alleviate the difficulties women currently face in life. Efficient work and balancing life and work are becoming possible with AI. The theme of 'AI and Women' is an extremely important issue that must be addressed right now, so I have high expectations for everyone's activities. Let us create a better future together.”

▼ Profile

Joined IBM Japan in 1999, engaging in research at the Tokyo Research Laboratory. Joined Sompo Japan Insurance in 2021, promoting DX in non-life insurance. After serving as Executive Officer and Chief Digital Officer, has been promoting data utilization and data governance in non-life insurance as Executive Officer and Chief Data Officer since April 2024. Will assume the position of Executive Officer and Senior Managing Director, Group Chief Data Officer at SOMPO Holdings, Inc. in April 2025. Also concurrently serves as Director of the AI Safety Institute, established by the government.

■ Sachiko Yata 氏

▼ Statement of Appointment

“The development of AI human resources is a matter of extreme urgency. Leveraging my knowledge from my work as Special Advisor on the 'Gender Wage Gap PT' and my current efforts in promoting the development of digital human resources for women with local governments through the 'Public-Private Partnership DX Women's Advancement Consortium,' I hope to work with you all to foster female AI talent and expand their fields of activity. Thank you.”

▼ Profile

Joined Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (now Panasonic Holdings Corporation) in 1984 and was assigned to the HR department. In 1990, she proposed and established the first "Women's Employee Capability Development Office (Women's Advancement Promotion Office)" in a private company, and worked as a dedicated staff member to promote women's advancement. In 2000, after serving as a central executive committee member of the company's labor union, she held key positions such as Vice Central Executive Committee Chair of the Federation of Panasonic Group Unions and Chair of the Denki Rengo (Japan Federation of Electrical Electronic Related Industries Unions) Gender Equality Policy Committee.

From 2016 to 2022, she served as a member of the House of Councillors for the Democratic Party and the Democratic Party for the People. In September 2023, she was appointed Special Advisor to the Prime Minister (Wages and Employment) in the second Kishida cabinet. She continued in the same role in the first and second Ishiba cabinets.

During her tenure, as the first Special Advisor for Wages and Employment, she worked on wage increases for small and medium-sized enterprises and promoted the regularization of non-regular employees. She also chaired the "Project Team for the Advancement of Women in Professional Life," participated in the "New Regional Economy and Living Environment Creation Headquarters," and served as chief editor for the "Regional Work Style and Workplace Reform Support Team," contributing to policy-making for the realization of "attractive regions for youth and women (fun regions)." She retired as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister in March 2025.

In May of the same year, she established the "Yata Wakako Policy Research Institute." In July of the same year, she launched the "Public-Private Partnership DX Women's Advancement Consortium," aiming to promote the acquisition of digital skills and employment support for working women in local regions, and assumed the position of representative.

■ Chisato Kunimoto, Representative Director, Comment

“I am greatly encouraged and honored that Ms. Sachiko Yata, Ms. Sachiko Hanyu, Ms. Akiko Murakami, and Ms. Hiromi Okuda, who are at the forefront of policy, media, AI safety, and startup support respectively, have been appointed as advisors.

From Ms. Yata, we expect new perspectives and driving force for WAIJ's activities from the viewpoint of policy formulation and public-private partnership. From Ms. Hanyu, from the perspective of media and communication power. From Ms. Murakami, from the perspective of AI safety and reliability. From Ms. Okuda, from the perspective of startup support and ecosystem building. WAIJ has steadily accumulated activities to expand the possibilities of women x AI for about one year since the establishment of the General Incorporated Association, such as reskilling programs, support for women's entrepreneurship, and community management.

From the second year onwards, we will focus on further expanding the reskilling program, promoting collaboration with local governments, launching the Women's AI Award 2026 in earnest, and strengthening policy advocacy activities. Our belief is that creating an environment where women can learn and thrive in AI, not only in urban areas but also in regions across the country, will lead to the realization of a society where all women can independently choose their own lives.

Overview of General Incorporated Association Women AI Initiative Japan

Name: General Incorporated Association Women AI Initiative Japan

Location: JMF Building Shibuya 03 5F, 2-11-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Establishment Date: May 14, 2025
Representative Director: Chisato Kunimoto
Website: https://women-ai-initiative.jp/

Contact Information

General Incorporated Association Women AI Initiative Japan Secretariat

Email: [email protected]