International Women¡¯s Day this year was centered on the theme ¡°,¡± emphasizing collaboration and mutual support. In Japan¡¯s legal profession, where gender disparities remain pronounced, the networking platform Women in Law Japan (WILJ) has emerged to create opportunities for exchange and empowerment.

A decade after its founding, WILJ has grown to encompass roughly 700 members, reflecting both the expansion of Japan¡¯s legal sector and the persistent challenges facing women within it, including disparities in pay, promotion and career continuity.?

At a recent gala marking its 10th anniversary, current and former WILJ presidents reflected on the group¡¯s history, including how it weathered the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has even reached beyond Japan to connect with similar networks in South Korea and Hong Kong.