The Japanese government has given approval to its fundamental policy framework aimed at empowering women, with a particular focus on supporting female entrepreneurs in the country’s regional areas.

At a joint meeting of government task forces, including the Headquarters for the promotion of gender equality, chaired by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, The Intensive Policy for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women 2025 was adopted. The policy highlights the pressing need to make rural regions more appealing to women and includes measures to back female entrepreneurship through gender equality centres established by local authorities.

A key objective of the policy is to discourage women from leaving regional areas. The government has identified a lack of job opportunities for women in these locations as a significant reason for their departure. To address this, it plans to expand consultation services and ease the process of connecting women entrepreneurs with financial institutions to support their startup ventures.

Looking ahead, the government intends to set up an independent administrative agency dedicated to promoting gender equality, beginning in the fiscal year 2026, which starts in April. This new body will assist regional initiatives by, among other things, creating a database of experts who can be sent to rural communities to give lectures.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Ishiba stated that the government will promote regional development aimed at making areas more appealing to women, adding: “It seeks to achieve a society in which everyone can live according to their own style.”