On March 28, 2026, Japan Women's University (JWU) in Tokyo's Bunkyo ward hosted a groundbreaking entrepreneurship workshop titled "First Entrepreneurship Workshop for High School Students Learning from Female Entrepreneurs." Approximately 30 second-year high school girls, primarily those expressing interest in the university's upcoming Faculty of Economics (tentative name), gathered for a day of hands-on learning. The event served as a preview of the practical, real-world skills students can expect from the new department, set to launch in April 2027. Participants delved into problem identification, ideation, business modeling, and pitching under the guidance of a prominent female entrepreneur, bridging the gap between high school curiosity and university-level innovation.
Japan Women's University: A Pioneer in Women's Higher Education
Established in 1901 by educator Jinzo Naruse, JWU holds the distinction of being Japan's first private women's university. With a rich history spanning over 125 years, it has evolved from its initial focus on home economics and literature to a comprehensive institution offering eight faculties across liberal arts, sciences, and professional fields. The university's commitment to empowering women is evident in its small class sizes, personalized guidance, and emphasis on fostering independent thinkers who contribute to society.
Under President Satoko Shinohara, JWU is undergoing significant reforms. Recent additions include the Faculty of Architecture and Design in 2024 and the Faculty of Food Sciences. The planned Economics Faculty represents the latest step in this transformation, aiming to equip women with economic literacy in an era of rapid change.
🎯 Unveiling the New Faculty of Economics: Curriculum and Vision
The Faculty of Economics (tentative), with its Economics Department (tentative), will admit 99 students annually starting April 2027. Its curriculum integrates theoretical economics and management from foundational principles to advanced applications and practice. Key pillars include data analysis proficiency, proactive career design, and "antrepreneurship"—a blend of entrepreneurship and analytical skills tailored for societal impact.
Students will explore subjects like Family Economics, Behavioral Economics, and Marketing Theory. Family Economics examines Japanese family dynamics, women's workforce participation, and policy solutions using government data. Behavioral Economics uses experiments to uncover decision-making biases, applicable to policy and business. Marketing Theory covers market research and strategy through case studies, extending to personal and non-profit contexts. The program emphasizes small-group seminars from the third year and a senior thesis, promoting logical thinking and real-world problem-solving.
Dean-to-be Daisuke Ikazaki highlights economics as the "queen of social sciences," providing tools for analysis and strategy. Special Invited Professor Ai Aoki brings industry expertise, underscoring the faculty's practical orientation. With a near-100% employment rate from predecessor programs (e.g., 100% in 2019, 2021, 2023), graduates enter finance, tech, public service, and startups.
The Workshop in Action: Learning from Ai Aoki
The workshop kicked off with a lecture by Ai Aoki, CEO of Villina Japan Co., Ltd., and newly appointed Special Invited Professor. Aoki shared her entrepreneurial path, overcoming gender barriers, leadership lessons, and the philosophy: "Empathy for others' problems sparks ideas; delivering emotional impact fuels business." Participants, all high school girls eyeing JWU's Economics Faculty, were inspired by her real-world insights.
Following the talk, groups tackled the theme "Problems of parents or close people." They empathized with issues, brainstormed solutions, modeled businesses (including pricing and revenue), and prepared pitches. This mirrored the faculty's hands-on approach, teaching economic cycles through human-centered lenses.
Photo by Fumiaki Hayashi on Unsplash
High School Girls Shine in Pitches
The highlight was the presentation round, where teams pitched innovative solutions:
- Cone Pair App: Visualizes parent-child agreements (e.g., chores for allowance), tracks progress with stamps, fostering communication and responsibility.
- Other ideas addressed daily pains like time management for busy parents or eco-friendly home solutions, blending empathy with viable business models.
These pitches demonstrated creativity and feasibility, echoing the faculty's goal of nurturing antrepreneurs who solve societal issues.
Student Feedback: Sparks of Inspiration
Participants raved: "Entrepreneurship is everywhere; details make it real." Another noted, "Ideas seemed impossible for students, but empathy makes it achievable." The event demystified business, aligning with JWU's vision of accessible economics education for women.
For more details, see the official press release.
Women in Japanese Higher Education: Progress and Gaps
Japan's female university enrollment reached 45% in 2023, up steadily. JWU, with its women-only environment, breaks stereotypes, boasting near-perfect employment outcomes. Yet, leadership lags: women hold few top roles.
The new faculty addresses this by focusing on women-specific issues like work-life balance and family economics. For context on women's programs, visit JWU's special site.
Entrepreneurship Landscape for Women in Japan
Women lead ~10% of startups but secure <2% venture capital, despite launching 10% new businesses. Female presidents: 15.24% in 2024. Challenges include funding bias and work-life conflicts, but initiatives like JWU's workshop signal change.
Data from OECD shows Japan's gender entrepreneurship gap persists, but university programs are closing it.
Photo by Spenser Sembrat on Unsplash
JWU's Commitment to Female Empowerment
JWU's reforms prioritize creativity and societal contribution. The workshop exemplifies recruitment via experiential learning, targeting high school girls for the Economics Faculty. With alumni in top firms (Mitsubishi UFJ, Sony), it proves women's potential in economics.
Future Outlook and Implications
As JWU launches its Economics Faculty, expect more such events to attract talent. Amid Japan's push for women's economic participation (e.g., government tuition exemptions for multi-child families), JWU positions itself as a leader. This could boost female entrepreneurship rates, vital for Japan's aging society.
Prospective students: Explore JWU's open campuses for similar experiences.