ELLE Japon, published by Hearst Fujingaho, will hold its second "Women in Society" event on June 13th, targeting working women in their late 20s to 40s. Ahead of the event, we spoke with the magazine's publisher, Akiko Mori, and Kanako Sakai, editor-in-chief of ELLE's content department. ■ What "Women in Society" Aims to Achieve

-- Building on the first event held last year, what are the goals of the second "Women in Society" event? Akiko Mori (hereafter "Mori"): Both Sakai and I are participating for the first time, so based on the feedback we received from the first event, we can say that everyone was very serious and eager to gather information. This year, we hope to further develop this point and focus on ELLE Japon's mission: "Always supporting women and supporting them in enriching their lives."

Kanako Sakai (hereinafter Sakai): This event started in France four years ago. When it was first held in Japan last year, approximately 700 people attended, but we received applications from just under 1,000 people. This year, we had four times as many applications, approximately 4,000 people, which suggests that many women are interested in working. This year's event's theme is "How to Work to Be Happy," and I think this is linked to that interest.

Mori: Young women often say, "I love my job, and working is natural, but I want a mentor who can teach me how to work in a way that doesn't wear me out." They seem to be looking for a place where they can meet someone to guide them through life, someone to talk to.

--So one of the purposes of this event is to provide working women with a place to meet mentors. Mori: That's right. This time, we've invited Keiko Hamada, editor-in-chief of AERA, to speak. Hamada, who balances raising children with her job as an editor-in-chief, will likely offer some insights for working women in their 30s and 40s. Sakai: I think women today have reached a stage where they are striving for a work style that brings them happiness. As a prime example of this, we've invited socialite Olivia Palermo to speak. Her commitment to leading her own life is emblematic of the work style of women today. ■ Women's Career Development

--It seems that some young women are hesitant to aim for managerial positions, and that an increasing number of them want to be full-time housewives. Mori: Ever since I was a child, I've taken working for granted, and I couldn't imagine a life without working. When I was a full-time housewife, I lost sight of my own self-worth, so I felt that working was a necessity in my life. However, I wasn't particularly attached to things like being a manager, becoming a key person in the company, or earning a high income.

Sakai: It's the same for me. I have two children, and I quit my job when I gave birth to my second. I was a full-time housewife for about two years while raising my children, but at the time I had no plans to find another job, and I felt isolated from society because of my children, which made me feel anxious. I think that people raising children and full-time housewives today are probably feeling the same way I did.

Mori: If you have a strong desire to be a full-time housewife, when you reach your 40s and your children and husband, whom you poured your love and affection into, have broken away from your control and are living their own lives, it would be wrong to feel like you're a victim and expect something in return from your family. But you do expect something in return from your work, don't you? I joined ELLE about 18 years ago, and at the time, the editorial department was filled with staff members of almost every demographic, including singles, married people, divorced people, and mothers with children. I think the products that emerge from a gathering of people who have experienced the bitter and sweet sides of life are something even deeper. I think that accepting a wide range of people will ultimately result in a superior organization. --Does this mean that creating a tolerant organization that embraces diversity leads to a workplace where women can thrive? Mori: I think that kind of tolerance is absolutely necessary. Sakai: Currently, we have one staff member on maternity leave, one pregnant woman, and probably about 10 mothers in the editorial department. With staff members from all walks of life, I think what I need to be careful of as a manager is to instill a mindset of mutual support and mutual help. Perhaps women are slightly better at being considerate of others in this way. A workplace where people are considerate in this way is truly ideal, and I think we need to work hard every day to make it a reality.


--Continued in part 2/2, the two discuss the question, "Should women aim to be at the top?"