At SmartNews, the Women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) began with a clear purpose: to foster a supportive and empowering community, highlight and advance women’s impact, and promote learning and dialogue across the company.

It is a space designed to empower female employees while nurturing diversity and inclusion across the company through mutual learning and dialogue. Today, the dedicated Slack channel has grown to include approximately 100 members, including many male allies who support the cause.

This initiative is rooted in the spirit of one of SmartNews’s Core Values: “Nothing Is Someone Else’s Problem.” Internally, it is affectionately known as “NSEP.” The ERG is one of the ways SmartNews employees bring this value to life through everyday actions.

The Women’s ERG is led by volunteer employees, and members each pitch in to host regular Meetups. Recognizing the importance of open communication, particularly in an international and multi-language environment, the ERG endeavors to be inclusive regardless of language barriers.

For example, discussion slides are prepared in both Japanese and English, and members work to interpret for one another during conversations. This collaborative spirit exemplifies the “NSEP” mindset that guides the group.

In a recent Meetup, employees presented on gender-related topics connected to their work. Two sessions explored:

• Legal and policy trends related to gender equality in Japan
• The use of inclusive language in recruiting and hiring

Participants discussed recent government initiatives to promote gender equality in the workplace and reflected on the important role companies like SmartNews can play in driving change.

In the session on inclusive language, presenters shared the, sometimes unintentional, impact that word choice can have, and demonstrated methods of utilizing generative AI to promote inclusive language.

By sharing expertise and real-world examples, participants worked to translate abstract concepts into specific actions that can promote diversity and inclusion.

Participants discussed positive examples of ways that SmartNews supports female employees, highlighting company initiatives such as flexible work policies and the provision of feminine hygiene products in the office restrooms.

Following that, participants discussed what they want to see at SmartNews, and what they personally want to do to help foster inclusion and belonging. Inspired by the NISEP mindset, ideas included:

• Hosting a “women’s lunch” regularly to create a safe space for conversation and connection
• Finding time to exercise together to promote wellbeing
• Sharing resources and new learnings through the dedicated Slack channel

While everyone balances busy schedules and full-time responsibilities, participants expressed a shared commitment to doing what they can - no matter how small - to make a positive impact. Collectively, these small, intentional actions build momentum toward a larger movement for gender equality.

Text ＝ JP Public Policy, Data & AI Legal（Lillian Bain）