Under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's slogan, "A Japan where women shine!", the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace was enacted this summer. The Act requires companies to assess the status of women's participation and develop action plans. While various survey items are being investigated, the percentage of female managers is attracting particular attention. The government has set a goal of achieving a 30% female managerial ratio by 2020 and is urging companies to make efforts toward this goal.

While female managers are generally considered rare, it is no longer uncommon for women to become presidents of listed companies, and it is not difficult to imagine that the number of female managers will continue to increase. Regardless of gender, assuming a position of authority brings about significant changes in the business mindset. How does this impact on on-the-job fashion? We spoke with Yuko Yagi, Director of the New Business Development Center at Fuji Television Network, Inc., about fashion policy, on-the-job style appropriate for the time, place, and occasion, and shopping.

--You're currently the head of the New Business Development Center in the General Development Bureau. What kind of work does that involve?

After working in the secretarial office and programming department, I became the head of this department, which was newly established in 2014. It's a small department with just eight people, but we partner with a variety of companies and work to connect them to business. This is completely different from revenue models that utilize commercial advertising or TV production content, so we start by getting each company to understand this. This spring, we launched a seminar business in partnership with commercial facilities like Ginza Mitsukoshi. We hope to develop a wide variety of businesses in collaboration with various partner companies.

--As you launch new businesses with various companies, you likely meet with people from all walks of life. Being in the television industry, you may have a relatively relaxed dress code, but can you tell us about your work style policy?

I generally wear whatever fashion I like to work in, as long as I don't cause offense to others. I usually wear a casual style, mainly monochrome, like the one I'm wearing now. And even though it's my work style, I try to incorporate trendy elements somewhere. However, when I was working in the secretarial department, the standard style at the time was a dress and jacket. I think the difference in dress code is more due to the nature of my work rather than the fact that I was a manager. I'm much more casual now (laughs).

--Today, you're wearing a smart casual style. Even though you work in the style you like, has your wardrobe changed in any way since you became a manager?

The first time I became conscious of my dress code as a manager was when I was the desk manager in the programming department. At that time, I thought, "Oh, I need to buy a suit!" Because I hardly had any (laughs). At first, I sometimes wore suits, but gradually I started to think that dresses and pants would be fine depending on the occasion. I sometimes wore a jacket for important sponsor presentations, but that was really the first time I wore a suit (laughs). Basically, I like styles that are comfortable and look neat, and fit my body well.

--A style that's both comfortable and neat sounds like something someone who works long hours would say. I imagine you often meet new people and have dinners with people older than you, in higher positions, so what kind of style do you wear for those occasions?

I often wear dresses or skirts. I've always loved dresses; they look neat and are comfortable (laughs). For my everyday work style, I usually wear flat shoes, but for dinners and meetings, I wear heels and add accessories to create a stylish yet refined look.

--Has becoming a manager changed the way you shop for clothes or the brands you choose? Also, please tell us about your favorite brands.

When I was in my 20s, I enjoyed shopping at various fashion spots and brands, in Ginza, Shibuya, and Shinjuku. However, when I was a manager in the programming department, I was in a position where I had to decide how to broadcast special programs in the event of a sudden incident or accident, so I found myself constantly on edge, even on my days off. So naturally, I started thinking about ways to shorten my shopping time. Since then, I've been doing my seasonal bulk shopping at Precious Mix on the fourth floor of Isetan Shinjuku Main Store. When I go to the store, they have racks of dozens of pieces of clothing that I think will suit me from the current season's items, and I've settled into a shopping style where I spend two to three hours choosing.

--Wow! So you do all your shopping in one go four times a year? Do you leave the clothes completely to them? Is it the same for accessories and shoes? Sorry for getting a little excited...

It's more convenient to buy accessories and belts from the same brand, so I often buy them at Precious Mix. For shoes, I either choose the ones they have in their select items section or go to the shoe department at Isetan. I end my shopping day by patrolling the Isetan department store for great deals. I've known the staff at Precious Mix for over ten years. They understand my work, my hobbies, and what I own, so shopping is incredibly smooth. They also help me find trendy items just right. However, I don't buy all of the clothes they pick out, because I have a budget. It ends up being quite a battle (laughs).

--Do you have any preferences for accessories you use in business?

My favorite is a HERMES notebook. It's easy to write in, and I like the elegant pink leather cover. I tend to choose monochrome clothes, but I tend to choose pink or red accessories. I use feminine colors, like a pink business card holder, a red floral smartphone cover, and a red iPad mini cover. Also, while it's not an accessory, Odaiba is quite cold, so I can't live without UNIQLO's HEATTECH "Extra Warm" for this season. Before the season starts, I stock up at UNIQLO on my way home from Isetan (laughs). This may also be a kind of preference.

Even though Yagi is in a position where she organizes new organizations, develops business strategies, and manages a team of elite staff, she exudes a somewhat endearing aura. She doesn't have to wear a suit just because she's a manager, and is completely natural, believing that it's fine to wear a style that suits her. However, she also knows how to please others by dressing elegantly for dinner parties and having her nails decorated with images of games made by companies she's scheduled to do business with. This may be the key to Yagi's style of on-the-job style.