Japan Launches Consortium to Promote Women in Digital Technology

• To support female digital experts, Japan has established a public-private consortium
• The program seeks to increase women's incomes and assist them in gaining digital skills. On Monday, the consortium was formally formed

Japan officially kicked off a new public-private consortium of national and local governments and private companies to nurture female digital professionals.

Formed on Monday, the public-private body is chaired by Wakako Yata, a former special adviser to the prime minister. The consortium will provide women with digital expertise to enhance their potential incomes and help revitalize regional communities.

Speaking at the launch ceremony held in Tokyo, Wakako spoke of the need to tap into women's untapped potential and to utilize digital technologies to boost productivity among small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those in rural communities. She spoke very strongly of working with 68 local governments that are already participating in the central government's effort to transform regional work styles and workplaces.

"Our intention is to develop communities where women can flourish by working hand in hand between government ministries and with the private sector," Wakako said. Masaaki Taira, the Digital Transformation Minister, also expressed his approval, declaring the Digital Agency is willing to help bring into existence a society where women truly can flourish.

Despite historically being underrepresented in the field, women in technology are increasingly influencing the direction of innovation. More women are working in fields like software development, cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence as countries around the world embrace digital transformation.