*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.


The Japanese Association of University Women (JAUW) and Graduate Women International (GWI) jointly participated in the EXPO2025 Theme Week in the first week of August at the Swiss Pavilion. The program “Women in Politics” focused on the importance of women’s participation and leadership in politics and the decision-making process in order to build world peace, human dignity and security. Several excellent members of the JAUW came up on the stage.

The program presented 3 sessions.
The Session 1 featured a Key Note Speech by Former Minister Yoko Kamikawa who talked about her point of view as a prominent female politician of the House of Representatives.

The Session 2 presented a panel discussion among female politicians (National Diet Member, City Council Member, Prefectural Assembly Member) and a British female diplomat.

The Session 3 connected the GWI headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and the JAUW members gathered at the EXPO Osaka Swiss Pavilion.

The JAUW, established in 1946, is one of the 48 national affiliations around the world belonging to the GWI that was established in 1919 and located in Geneva close to other major international organizations. The JAUW and GWI closely work together to promote global advocacies related to humanitarian causes, including education, equality, human rights, human dignity and security and world peace.

【Reflection】
The close collaboration between JAUW (Japanese Association of University Women) and GWI (Graduate Women International) brought a special program entitled, "Women in Politics - Women's leadership in politics & decision-making process can change the world!" to the EXPO Swiss Pavilion in Osaka on Aug. 7th, 2025. The JAUW, founded in 1946 in Japan, is one of the 48 national affiliates around the world, belonging to the GWI, established in 1919 and headquartered in Geneva.
This program was approved as an official program during the EXPO August Theme Week, highlighting Peace, Human Dignity & Security in remembrance of sad stories of atomic bombing in Hiroshima (8/06) & Nagasaki (8/09).

The percentage of female politicians is increasing worldwide but still remains very low around 10% or less in many countries, including Japan. Starting with the JAUW President’s Opening Address, the program began in full swing.

[Session 1] Former Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa’s keynote speech stressed the importance of developing support groups to encourage more female candidates to take part in local and national elections. She also emphasized the importance of education for women, and governments’ collaboration with business corporations and citizens to reflect more women’s viewpoints for decision-making processes and solving conflicts and wars. Her lifetime commitment for WPS (Women, Peace & Security) is closely connected with the EXPO theme, leading to sustainability of humankind. Originally from Shizuoka Prefecture, she is a distinguished member of the JAUW Shizuoka Chapter. All the participants were inspired to hear her powerful voice directly as a prominent Diet Member.

[Session 2] The Panel Discussion featured 3 female Japanese politicians and a British diplomat from the EXPO UK Pavilion. The Japanese panelists & Moderator were all JAUW qualified members. The Panel Discussion covered various topics, including differences between national & local politics, among various political parties, difficulty in becoming female candidates and work-life balance. The British diplomat pointed out, “Authorities tend to say they can’t do things as there are no previous examples.” A new example can be created like she did through her job-sharing experiences in Central America! The Moderator concluded the discussion by emphasizing, “Gender Equality is not only for women’s but also for men’s wellbeing as it could help men enjoy a happier life as an individual person.”

[Session 3] A zoom session connected Geneva and Osaka. The GWI’s Executive Director & the JAUW Vice President talked about their activities in the past and their future plans ahead to jointly promote international advocacies: peace, human rights, women’s empowerment and equality through higher education. The GWI’s location in Geneva helps its global activities promoting such humanitarian advocacies in close collaboration with major international organizations such as the UN, ILO, UNHCR, UNESCO, located in and near Geneva.

The sessions were concluded by Swiss Consul’s closing comments, encouraging women in Japan and across the world to continue their superb efforts to achieve a gender-equal society. The JAUW Kobe Chapter Chairwoman ended the program by thanking everyone for their participation & support, including the Swiss Pavilion Event Team.


【Post EXPO Initiatives】
The percentage of female politicians in Japan has remained around 10% over the past 25 years, showing one of the lowest percentages among advanced countries. Facing the stagnant reality, our program “Women in Politics – Women’s leadership in politics & decision-making process can change the world!” discussed the barriers and potential solutions to break through this stagnant situation.

A senior Diet Member & former Foreign Minister’s keynote speech gave insights for all the participants, including the current female politicians participating in the panel discussions as our panelists. Her political career path was never easy until she won a seat through a national election. She stressed the importance of developing support groups to encourage female candidates and let them take part in national & local elections. Women’s organizations such as JAUW (Japanese Association of University Women), developed nationwide in Japan, could play a role in developing such support groups. The JAUW may not be directly involved in political activities, but can support female candidates and politicians.
She also emphasized the importance of education and governments’ collaboration with business corporations and citizens. NGOs, such as JAUW, can support women candidates by connecting the governments, private sector, academia and citizens. Such collaboration could contribute to creating a better society reflecting diverse voices existing in society.

The education level in Japan is rather high, resulting in a high percentage of women graduating from colleges or universities. However, their higher education is not necessarily connected with career development. Traditionally in history, higher education promised a better marriage through matching arrangements. Women’s organizations, such as JAUW, could encourage more female students to major in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) fields as well as the political field for more women to start careers and get involved in the decision-making processes.
Promoting Gender Equality could cause a backlash from men who might be threatened by women if they feel that women are trying to take over their career positions. We can convince men that women are not competing against men, on the contrary they’re collaborating with men for their wellbeing throughout their lives. Men can find joy and happiness in their private lives instead of sacrificing private lives for their jobs. When men and women can live happy lives, humankind will thrive and their sustainability will be promised.

Hearing voices from overseas could offer different perspectives. A British diplomat’s comment stimulated Japanese panelists and audience, by saying, “Authorities tend to say they can’t do things as there are no previous examples.” If no previous example exists, we can create a new example! Collaborating with GWI (Graduate Women International) also offers global perspectives to JAUW. We’ll further develop such collaboration to promote global advocacies into the future.

As much as women in the previous generations made great efforts and progress, our current generation can do the same for the future generations who’ll carry over our missions: promoting a gender-equal society through higher education, international cooperation & world peace. Let’s work together for creating a brighter future! (www.jauw.org)

Graduate Women International (GWI), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland