HBA Opens New Location in Tokyo, Japan
Over one hundred people representing 25 healthcare companies came together on 2 February, 2024 for the opening of the Tokyo, Japan branch of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA).
Over one hundred people representing 25 healthcare companies came together on 2 February, 2024 for the opening of the Tokyo, Japan branch of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA). The Tokyo branch leadership team, Sawori Imura, Saori Kamiya, and Keiko Ito, led an inspiring and unique event, held at the offices of one of our large corporate partners, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS). The event included a keynote address by Takuko Sawada, Vice Chairperson, Shionogi & Co., Ltd, as well as a panel event on the power of networking where I had the honor of speaking alongside our HBA CEO Mary Stutts and President of BMS Japan Steve Sugino. This is just the beginning for our HBA Tokyo location as additional launch activities are anticipated later in 2024 for this major healthcare industry hub.
Japan has long boasted one of the largest healthcare markets in the world, and the government has plans to leverage diversity further to boost innovation and the economy across the country. Many forward-facing leaders welcome the government’s stated goal of 30%+ female executives in major companies by 2030, which would represent approximately a three-fold increase relative to the current average in Japan. The World Economic Forum’s 2023 Global Gender Gap Index data further demonstrates the magnitude of the potential, ranking Japan at 125th of 146 total countries reviewed and showing it in last place for East Asia & Pacific Region.
For attendees at our HBA Tokyo event, there was no doubt that the time is ripe for evolving the current state. The power of a United Force for Change came to the forefront during participant commentary in the HBA networking mixer/lunch that followed the Tokyo panel event. Women commented on how “inspiring it is to have an organization like the HBA come to Japan,” how they could tangibly feel “the power of the women who have already been on their HBA journey in other countries,” and how they welcomed the “competitive advantage that arises from diversity.” It also proved a tremendous and unique opportunity for senior business leaders, human resource / DE&I leaders, and employee resource group (ERG) leaders to come together and have cross-company discussions, benchmarking ideas, and best practices as they seek 
to evolve the Japanese healthcare industry landscape. The event brought to life for everyone how powerful it is to be part of a collective effort mobilizing towards greater outcomes, learning, and growing together beyond the boundaries of company, function, job title, or country.
This most recent HBA branch opening in Tokyo, Japan, exemplifies how our United Force for Change will accelerate our positive impact as more leaders around the world join our relentless pursuit of gender equity. We welcome anyone to help amplify our global mission by getting involved in our growth efforts here.