First company to support GEWEL, an NPO that promotes diversity

Further stepping up support for female empowerment through support for activities that promote diversity 

Robert Walters Japan (Head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Managing Director: David Swan) will launch an initiative from April 1 to provide, through donations and other means, support for the activities of GEWEL, an NPO that promotes diversity and inclusion (Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Kuniko Muramatsu). Robert Walters Japan is the first company providing support to GEWEL.

Diversity refers to the utilisation of human resources from various backgrounds, regardless of factors such as gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Inclusion refers to the respect for and acceptance of such diverse backgrounds and values.

As a specialist recruitment consultancy, Robert Walters Japan recruits women for employment in a variety of professions and industries, including managerial positions. Approximately 40% of the candidates it recruits are women. Furthermore, against the background of a shrinking labour force in Japan due to the declining birthrate and ageing population, as well as the growing trend of Japanese companies to expand their operations overseas, employees not only have to be proficient in English in order to contribute to the growth of the company, but it is also important for companies to foster a corporate culture that accepts diversity (diversity that includes differences in nationality, gender, and disability), and to encourage greater female empowerment in order to propel the business forward. In light of that, Robert Walters Japan is in agreement with the activity policy of GEWEL, and has decided to offer its support for the NPO, which holds the vision of bringing about the realisation of organisations and a society where human resources composed of people with varying characteristics play an active role and achieve personal growth.

Comment from Robert Walters Japan (Managing Director: David Swan):
“Diversity is an important philosophy that underpins the success of the Robert Walters Group. I believe that diversity enriches the workplace environment, and produces a labour force that is even more innovative and creative than before. By continuing to provide support for initiatives that encourage our client companies to recruit diverse human resources going forward, we aim to contribute to improving the competitiveness and sustainable success of companies. Robert Walters also promotes diversity at our Japan offices. Our employees come from 28 countries, and the ratio of female employees is 51%, with 31% in managerial positions (as of March 2016). We have achieved the goal established by the government, of having a female manager ratio of 30%. In the future, by providing support to GEWEL, we seek to further step up our support for empowering women in the workforce.”    

About NPO GEWEL (http://www.gewel.org/)
GEWEL was established in 2004 with the aim of creating an organisation that provides support for women in Japan to gain positions of responsibility in companies and organisations, and to play an active role on the global stage. The name of the NPO is an acronym for “Global Enhancement of Women’s Executive Leadership,” and also reflects the desire to help women shine as brilliantly as jewels. Currently, it is putting into practice leadership that incorporates true diversity and inclusion (D&I), and is engaged in various social contribution activities to support this practice, in order to bring about the realisation of organisations and a society that is able to accept and utilise diverse values and capabilities without consideration of gender, nationality, age, culture, and other differences. 

To request further information, please contact PR executive on 03-4570-1500 or info@robertwalters.co.jp