Message from Female Executives
In April 2018, Sekisui House appointed two female executives as Outside Director and Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member. In increasing the number of females in senior management and positions of responsibility, we are moving further ahead with promoting the active participation of women, which is the basis of diversity management.
Yukiko Yoshimaru
Ms. Yoshimaru has built her career through her work at various companies in Japan and overseas. She has also been widely involved in promoting diversity and inclusion. After serving as the General Manager of the Diversity Development Office at Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and as Executive Officer at Nifco, Inc., Ms. Yoshimaru was appointed as an Outside Director on the board of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. She was appointed as Outside Director on the board of Sekisui House, Ltd. in April 2018.
Boosting Business Competitiveness, and Raising Corporate Value Further Accelerating Diversity
“Innovation & Communication.” This is the driving force of realizing the Sekisui House Group’s global vision. Many Japanese companies once cited their strength as having a monoculture management system, which was based on the life-time employment of Japanese male university graduates. However, this approach has lost its competitiveness in the current age of innovation. It is now clear that in business competition on a global scale, the companies that continue to innovate are the ones where diversity management is thoroughly entrenched. The results of initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion since 2004 are now being directly linked to boosting business competitiveness and raising corporate value. I anticipate this to accelerate even further.
Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member
Hisako Makimura
Ms. Makimura has been actively involved in initiatives for gender equality and addressing issues surrounding women and urbanization, through her work as a newspaper journalist and university professor. She currently works as a visiting researcher at the Kyoto Women’s University Institute of Religion and Culture, and a visiting professor at the Kansai University Research Center for Societal Safety Sciences. Ms. Makimura was appointed as Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member at Sekisui House, Ltd. in April 2018.
Diversity and Inclusion Promotion: An Essential Element for Sustainable Growth in the Global Market
The Sekisui House paternity leave program, Ikumen Leave, achieved 100% usage in only five months after its launch. This innovative program is a nationwide example of how we can promote diversity in Japan as well, if we make an effort. We are also entering a new stage in our core international business, which plays a key role in realizing the Sekisui House global vision of making home the happiest place in the world. An important aspect of making companies more global is establishing a foundation of diverse personnel and values through promoting real diversity and inclusion, and providing more environments and opportunities for women and youth to demonstrate their abilities and potential overseas. I sincerely hope that ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, and achieve sustainable growth in the global market, will expand the possibilities for all employees, and lead to their personal and professional happiness.
Central Japan General Manager, Operation Officer, Sekisui House Remodeling, Ltd.
Ritsuko Tomita
Ms. Tomita joined Sekisui House as a general employee. She voluntarily transferred to a sales position in 1991.After working as a Sales Manager at five offices, Ms. Tomita became the company’s first female Branch Manager in 2008. Then in April 2018, she was transferred to the current Sekisui House company that handles the remodeling business, where she worked as Chief Manager of the Sales Office. Ms. Tomita was appointed to her current position in November 2020.
Leveraging Women’s Enhanced Empathy to Further Expand the Remodeling Business
The ratio of female employees at Sekisui House Remodeling is 68%, which is quite high even in the Sekisui House Group. I believe there are many opportunities for women to leverage their enhanced empathy, and apply the natural sympathy that women have in their work here. Another distinctive feature is being fortunate to handle only Sekisui House owners, which makes it a pleasant place to work. On November 1, 2020 we launched a new structure*, shifting from maintenance-style to proposal-type renovations. This move is further accelerating the remodeling business. My intention is to keep focusing efforts on creating a work environment where all employees can maximize their full potential, such as implementing training programs to prepare women for managerial positions, and running various workshops.
On November 1, 2020, Sekisui House Remodeling Central, Ltd., Sekisui House Remodeling East, Ltd., and Sekisui House Remodeling West, Ltd. were merged to form Sekisui House Remodeling, Ltd.
Outside Director