President's Report - Women in Business Roundtable
The IJCC had the privilege of co-hosting a Women in Business Roundtable this week with Enterprise Ireland at Ireland House Tokyo, as part of their trade and investment mission to Japan.
I was delighted to co-lead the session with Enterprise Ireland’s CEO designate Jenny Melia in what became a truly powerful and honest discussion. With nearly three decades of experience at Enterprise Ireland, Jenny is a passionate advocate for gender equity and inclusive leadership and her presence set the tone for meaningful conversation.
The roundtable brought together Irish and Japanese female leaders to explore the challenges and opportunities facing women in business in Japan. The World Economic Forum’s 2025 report ranks Japan 118th out of 148 countries for gender equity, while Ireland sits in the top 10. The contrast is clear. There’s momentum, but still a long way to go.
At the IJCC, we’re proud to be part of that progress:
✔️ Elected our first-ever female President in 2025
✔️ Appointed a female Vice President Brietta O' Leary for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
✔️ Offer discounted membership for women, aligned with the gender pay gap
✔️ Women now make up 30% of our membership
I believe that diverse teams lead to better results, driving innovation, stronger decision-making, and more resilient organisations. Enterprise Ireland is leading by example, with 58% of leadership roles now held by women.
What can each of us do to contribute to change?
We can keep having open, honest conversations like this one. We can lead by example. We can mentor, advocate, and create space for women’s voices. We can build cultures where everyone truly belongs.
Most importantly, we need our male peers to stand with us. Gender equity in business and politics won’t be achieved by women alone. It requires allies, advocates, and shared accountability. When more men use their voices and influence to champion women, we all move forward.
A big thank you to Aisling Barry whose thoughtful facilitation created a space where everyone felt heard, respected, and encouraged to share openly. Thank you also to Neil Cooney for making this happen, your support helped bring it all together.
Let’s not just talk about equity, let’s lead it, live it, build it. Together.
Sarah Hickey, President
Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce