The Truth Behind the Role Model Gap - How to Design an Organizational Culture Where Anyone Can Be a Leader

When: March 5, 2026

Where: Tokyo, Japan

REGISTER

In the 2025 edition of the “Global Gender Gap Report,” Japan's Gender Gap Index ranked 118th out of 145 countries. Particularly low female management ratios and wage gaps are cited as key challenges.

This year's International Women's Day event explores how to break this stagnation and design an organizational culture where anyone can naturally become a leader.

The theme is: The Truth Behind the Role Model Gap — How to Design an Organizational Culture Where Anyone Can Be a Leader.

Behind the phrase “role model gap” lies a structural risk hidden within organizations.

We are honored to have Ms. Yuko Kawai, President and Director of Kochi Bank, who confronts management challenges at the forefront of regional finance, join us.

Together with our focus on supporting small business transformation, we will deliver a condensed session covering everything from data-driven analysis of the current state to concrete hints for organizational design.

Event Highlights:
- We welcome Ms. Yuko Kawai of Kochi Bank, the first female president of a regional bank driving transformation, to discuss “How to Design an Organizational Culture Where Anyone Can Become a Leader?” with freee CHRO Yasuyuki Kawanishi. Moderated by Koji Hasegawa, CEO of Learning Cycle and an expert on global environments, we will explore environmental changes.
- Mika Koizumi, Senior Director of Financial Relations at freee and Director of the Small Business Research Institute, will explain the risks traditional management approaches pose to companies, backed by data.

Online streaming will also be available. Viewers can join from anywhere in Japan.

Event Overview:

Date & Time:
Thursday, March 5, 2026, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Doors open at 1:30 PM)

Participation Methods:
Offline attendance at Tokyo event space / Simultaneous online streaming available (Japanese only)

Venue:
Asobiba, 19F, Free Inc. Headquarters (3-min walk from JR Osaki Station North Ticket Gate)

Address:
asobiba, 19F Art Village Osaki Central Tower, 1-2-2 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Eligibility:
Open to all (students welcome)

Timetable:
- 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM Doors Open
- 14:00-14:05 Opening Remarks (freee DEI Lead Mio Yoshimura)
- 14:05-14:25 The Risks and Structure of the “Manager Profile” in Numbers: Mika Koizumi, Head of Financial Services Department / Product Manager / Director, Small Business Research Institute
- 14:30-15:10 Panel Session: The Reality of “No Role Models” — How to Design an Organizational Culture Where Anyone Can Aim to Be a Leader
- 15:10 Closing (Online Broadcast Ends)
- 15:20-16:00 Networking Reception ※A networking session for participants will be held at the venue.
- 16:00-16:30 Venue Closes / Departure

Media coverage may be present on the day.

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