Ginza Mitsukoshi opened "Ginza Working+," an event to encourage people to enjoy work, child-rearing, and daily life in their own way. A talk show featuring Taiyo Onishi, President and CEO of Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings, and Mitsushige Yamanaka, Mayor of Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture, was held at the Ginza Mitsukoshi department store on April 9th.
Under the title "Creating a City Supporting Work and Child-rearing in Ginza and Matsusaka," President Onishi and Mayor Yamanaka spoke from their respective perspectives about how to support work and child-rearing and city-building. The talk show was made possible because Mitsukoshi's founder, Takatoshi Mitsui, was born in Matsusaka, Ise Province (now Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture).
President Onishi spoke about "employee support" and "Ginza Mitsukoshi's changing customer base and future prospects." Since 70-80% of department stores are female, the company prioritizes the active participation of female employees. Currently, the number of female managers is increasing, with approximately 20% of on-site managers being female. She also intends to increase the number of female department heads in the future. While Isetan Mitsukoshi has a support system for childbirth and childcare, she noted that some employees have chosen to resign due to the difficulty of working as a team when working part-time. She emphasized the need to continue working to create an environment that makes it easier for female employees to continue working. Ginza Mitsukoshi has seen an increase in customers in their 30s and 40s, including those raising children, due to the increase in housing in the waterfront area. In response, the store has been improving its facilities, including baby rooms and children's restrooms. However, she stated, "With the increase in discerning customers, simply investing in facilities is no longer enough to satisfy them. Our challenge is to create an environment where customers can enjoy shopping while caring for their children, while also being fashionable." Regarding urban development, she stated, "While there is little a department store can do on its own, I believe our mission is to satisfy and inspire customers who visit with a specific purpose." She asserted that department stores should not just sell products, but should also create environmental spaces that are integrated into the city, allowing customers to feel like they are part of the city when they enter. "This event marks the 11th time it's been held. Until now, it's only been held at Mitsukoshi, but this time, for the first time, we've collaborated with NPOs and local residents in Ginza. As a business owner in Ginza, I want to continue to support this initiative," Mayor Yamanaka said, demonstrating a positive attitude toward community development. Regarding "the historical role of women in Matsusaka," Mayor Yamanaka cited the saying, "Shima cotton is a Matsusaka woman's work," which is related to Matsusaka cotton, one of Matsusaka's industries. He said, "Even in the days when women were not expected to work in the public eye, the work of drawing patterns on Matsusaka cotton was women's work. Women are at the core of traditional culture, and even today, women's power is very strong in Matsusaka." Regarding community development, it is not easy to get the younger generation involved. While various groups and organizations are working on it, there are still areas where collaboration is lacking. He suggested the need for the government to take steps to facilitate collaboration between businesses and local governments. She also mentioned Mitsukoshi Isetan's expansion into small and medium-sized stores, saying with a smile, "The significance of department stores in urban development is truly significant. Department stores opening in rural areas have a tremendous impact on revitalizing the city. I would love to see them open a store in Matsusaka, where I have a connection." Matsusaka City has previously prioritized fiscal reconstruction, but going forward, it will focus on child-rearing support. Before promoting the city as a tourist destination, the city aims to first help residents understand Matsusaka's history and create a system that welcomes tourists with Matsusaka's unique "hospitality." The event concluded with Mayor Yamanaka's comments, supporting women's participation: "When women are involved, new developments emerge. Even if there are initial frictions and discord, these frictions have the potential to create something new. Going forward, I would like to more than ever before effectively incorporate the drive and sensibility that only women possess."
