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Bridging Gender Gaps, Fostering Innovation, and Inspiring the Next Generation Through Education and Sustainability - Thought Leadership by #SustXGlobal50 Awardee Yuri Hirayama, Japan
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Summary
In this thought leadership article, "Empowering Women and Youth for a Sustainable Future in Japan" by Yuri Hirayama, Chief Sustainability Officer, School Director, Educator, Yuri Education Centre, Japan, and a recipient of The SustainabilityX® Magazine Global 50 Women In Sustainability Awards™ 2024 explores Japan's significant sustainability challenges, particularly regarding gender equality in the workforce and the societal pressures placed on women. Through innovative educational programs like "Happy English" and youth-driven sustainability initiatives such as "Waste to Wow!," educators and changemakers are fostering empowerment, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility. By addressing traditional gender roles, encouraging parental involvement, and integrating sustainability into education, these efforts aim to create a more equitable and innovative society. From teaching young mothers and children English to inspiring students to pitch groundbreaking sustainability solutions, these initiatives highlight the transformative power of education in shaping a sustainable future for Japan and beyond.
Current sustainability issues in Japan primarily revolve around gender equality in the workforce. Despite gradual improvements in women's participation, significant disparities persist, with female labor force participation still low compared to that of men, contributing to a notable gender wage gap. Women remain underrepresented in leadership and managerial positions, and traditional gender roles complicate their ability to balance work and family responsibilities. Inadequate supportive policies, such as affordable childcare and flexible work arrangements, further hinder progress. Additionally, social norms place a heavier burden on women regarding childcare and household duties, limiting their career advancement and social participation. Addressing these challenges is crucial for women's empowerment and overall societal sustainability, particularly in light of Japan's declining birthrate.
Empowering Women and Families
To help tackle the issues of gender inequality and declining birthrates in Japan, I have been conducting "Happy English" classes in Tokyo for 11 years, teaching mothers and their children—ranging from infants to preschoolers—English and music. By incorporating sustainability-related picture books and seasonal topics like Halloween and Christmas, I create a joyful atmosphere that familiarizes families with Western songs, cultures, and the English language. Additionally, I provide mothers and children with opportunities to socialize, which can alleviate feelings of worry and loneliness that many mothers of small children experience. Typically, mothers take their children to the park or classes during weekdays before they enter kindergarten. While many Japanese fathers have the option to work from home, very few of them bring their children to class.
To further bridge the gender gap, I have been organizing weekend events that encourage both fathers and mothers to participate in the classes, ensuring that the entire family enjoys the experience and can socialize with others. I am committed to empowering women through these initiatives. I believe that if both parents feel satisfied and confident in their parenting roles, they will be more inclined to consider expanding their families.
Cultural Factors and Education
During my MBA studies, I focused particularly on CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and sustainability, which have been valuable in my role as a school director and principal educator. I am continuing my research as I began my PhD program at EGADE Business School in August 2024. Currently, my research aims to examine how cultural factors, such as conformity and an emphasis on order in Japan, affect students aged 8 to 18 compared to their peers from countries that prioritize originality and individualism. This study will explore whether Japanese education promotes expressiveness and reduces conservatism, suggesting that these traits are learned through effective educational methods rather than being innate. It posits that education can mitigate the negative effects of conformity, fostering individual growth to a certain degree. While conformity also impacts organizational behaviour, which is crucial for business success in Japan, it may hinder companies' progress and limit their innovative ideas and motivation.
I believe that the limited opportunities for junior employees to speak up may stem from hierarchical structures in schools, which can affect business dynamics. Moreover, this culture of conformity may impede innovation and create discomfort among junior staff. To address this issue, it may be beneficial to consider implementing a flatter organizational structure and fostering an open atmosphere from childhood onward. Education plays a significant role in shaping these values, and gaining insight into its influence could be crucial for encouraging innovation and improving individual well-being in both educational and corporate settings.
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Supporting Youth Empowerment
My objective is to support the empowerment of youth and women through education and networking. The history of language shows that English often reflects male dominance, as seen in phrases like "Boys, be ambitious," which specifically encourage boys. This connects to societal gender roles, where there is an expectation that males should be more ambitious. Such stereotypes influence how we use language, suggesting that ambition is primarily a male quality. While more people now believe that girls should also be encouraged to be ambitious, the language we use continues to be shaped by social values and historical contexts. In Japan, we have a similar proverb that indicates boys are encouraged to be braver than girls.
Throughout my journey, one of the most significant challenges has been navigating cultural differences and societal expectations, particularly balancing Japanese values of harmony and conformity with the need for individual growth and originality. Embracing boldness has allowed me to break through these barriers, fostering open communication and embracing diverse perspectives at the Yuri Education Center. This approach has been crucial in empowering students to tackle complex sustainability objectives, as evidenced by our impactful events such as "Waste to Wow!" which promotes responsible consumption and production.
Youth-Driven Initiatives
During the "Waste to Wow!" event in Tokyo in February 2024, thirteen students from the Yuri Education Center boldly collaborated with the Social Impact Lab Japan to showcase innovative solutions for SDG 12, focusing on responsible consumption and production. Their presentations highlighted various sustainable practices, such as material sustainability, digital transformation, waste reduction, and circular economy principles. Through initiatives ranging from eco-friendly toys to digital databases, they effectively promoted sustainable living and boosted their confidence in public speaking. This collaborative effort not only inspired the community but also underscored the transformative impact of youth-driven initiatives in advancing sustainability goals.
At the Yuri Education Center, we held an inspiring pitching session on Zoom titled 'Pitching for a Greener Future: Waste to Wow! (SDG 12)' in October 2024. Among the remarkable ideas shared was a project by 12-year-old Ayzel Osman from Pakistan, titled “BRAVE NETS: A Winning SDG Goal!” Ayzel's passion for football and her concern for the environment sparked a creative journey. She recognized the urgent need for sustainable goal nets at her local football club and envisioned a project that could transform waste into opportunity.
Ayzel's initiative aims to create economic opportunities while simultaneously restoring marine life. She proposed that underprivileged fishermen retrieve harmful ghost nets from the ocean—nets that have long posed a danger to marine creatures. These nets would then be supplied to skilled women in her country, who are already experienced in making FIFA-quality footballs. With their expertise, they would repurpose these discarded nets into sustainable goal nets, giving them a new life as BRAVE NETS. This initiative addresses environmental concerns and empowers communities by providing economic opportunities for both the fishermen, who struggle to make ends meet, and the women artisans who craft the nets. In doing so, it saves marine life, reduces ocean pollution, and offers underprivileged youth—especially girls—a chance to engage in an eco-friendly sport while nurturing their love for the planet.
“I love football, and it’s the most popular sport in the world,” Ayzel said passionately. “I hope to take this idea from my local football club to international stadiums. What better way to inspire over 3 billion fans to go green than while they’re having fun watching the game with their favourite football stars!” As we reflect on Ayzel’s visionary project, we are reminded of the importance of bold discussions and creative solutions to protect our shared Earth. Together, we will continue to champion ideas that pave the way for a sustainable future.
Through initiatives like these, we emphasize responsible consumption and sustainable practices, preparing our students to navigate global challenges with resilience and creativity. By fostering an environment that values both individual expression and community engagement, we can empower the next generation to become leaders in sustainability and social responsibility. The motto of our Yuri Education Center is: “We courageously discuss, actively lead, and collectively act.” It is crucial that we continue to support educational efforts that challenge traditional norms and encourage innovative thinking, paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
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The SustainabilityX® Magazine is an award-winning, digital, female-founded, and female-led non-profit initiative bringing the environment and economy together for a sustainable future through dialogue, and now transforming the environment and economy for a sustainable future through the power of women's leadership. Founded on May 8, 2016, and inspired by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals by Canada's Top 30 Under 30 in Sustainability Leadership awardee, Supriya Verma, the digital media initiative focuses on approaching the world's most pressing challenges with a holistic, integrated, systems-based perspective as opposed to the traditional and ineffective siloed approach with a single lens on interdisciplinary topics like climate and energy. This initiative ultimately seeks to explore how to effectively bring the environment and economy together through intellectual, insightful dialogue and thought-provoking discussion amongst individuals across sectors taking an interdisciplinary and integrated approach to untangling the intricate web of sustainability while championing women's leadership in sustainability.
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