Shimadzu Recognized as a Nadeshiko Brand for Commitment to Workplace Gender Equality

Shimadzu Corporation has been selected as a Nadeshiko Brand by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) (1). This designation is awarded to publicly listed companies that are considered to be actively supporting the advancement of women in the workplace. The Nadeshiko Brand initiative is intended to highlight companies that promote gender diversity as a means of enhancing corporate value over the medium to long term.

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Selection is based on the results of an annual survey administered by METI and TSE, which assesses the gender diversity policies and practices of companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Companies are evaluated across a number of categories, including how they support career development from hiring through to job assignment, their efforts to assist dual-income or dual-childrearing households regardless of gender, and the degree to which diversity and inclusion initiatives are connected to overall business and human resource strategies.

Shimadzu has introduced a variety of initiatives aimed at supporting gender inclusion and workplace diversity. The company’s engagement with these issues dates back several decades. For example, a pre- and postnatal leave policy was introduced in 1948. Over time, additional policy measures have been put in place to support employees’ ability to remain in the workforce while balancing family or caregiving responsibilities.

In 2015, Shimadzu launched the Women in Shimadzu (WISH) project as a formal initiative to promote diversity and inclusion, with a particular focus on the development and support of woman employees. This was followed in 2022 by the establishment of the Diversity & Inclusion Promotion Group within the Human Resources Development Department. This group, now known as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Promotion Group, is responsible for planning and implementing initiatives related to inclusive workplace practices.

The company also introduced a group-wide slogan—"Embrace Differences, Include One and ALL”—to guide its DE&I activities. Under this framework, Shimadzu has conducted various internal training programs. These include unconscious bias awareness training for managers, as well as leadership development sessions targeted at mid-career female employees. The goal of these programs is to raise awareness of diversity issues and to support equitable career advancement.

The company’s DE&I initiatives are positioned as part of a broader approach to workforce management that aims to value individual differences while aligning with long-term business objectives. Through these efforts, Shimadzu seeks to create an organizational culture in which a wide range of perspectives are included in decision-making and operational planning.

Shimadzu has also implemented systems to encourage joint career planning discussions between employees and their supervisors. These sessions are intended to facilitate mutual understanding of individual goals and organizational expectations, contributing to the development of a supportive work environment for all employees.

The selection of Shimadzu Corporation as a Nadeshiko Brand reflects the company's ongoing participation in national efforts to promote gender equality and workplace inclusion. The company’s initiatives in this area are designed not only to support individual career development but also to enhance organizational resilience and adaptability in a diverse and changing world.

Reference

(1) Shimadzu was Selected as a Nadeshiko Brand that Actively Promotes Women within the Workplace; Shimadzu. https://www.shimadzu.com/news/2025/by1fonc5burd3fiz.html (accessed 2025-04-08).