Japan’s Push for Women on Boards Propels Lawyers, Accountants

Japanese companies struggling to promote women within their leadership ranks are turning to lawyers, accountants, and professors, among other professionals, to make progress toward the government’s looming gender diversity targets.

Japan set a national goal for women to represent 30% of executive officers, including board members, at top publicly listed companies by 2030. The Tokyo Stock Exchange also has called for at least one female executive officer by 2025 in each company listed on its prime market, oriented toward global investors.

But with 2025 soon approaching, businesses still have a ways to go toward reaching the voluntary milestones. Women accounted ...