March 17, 2008 - Fukuoka US Consulate Fukuoka and Avanti magazine co-hosted an event on women in the workforce at the Fukuoka American Center. Principal Officer Margot Carrington talked about her experience as a working mother in the State Department, the importance of family support, and the continuing social bias against working mothers in Japan. She pointed out, however, that both countries could do more to facilitate participation of women in the workforce.

Carol Fishman Cohen, a career re-entry consultant gave the audience points to consider when trying to enter the workforce after an extended leave and also talked about some programs American companies and universities have introduced to assist women’s transitions back to work. After their remarks, Ms. Miki Yugoshi, a successful working mother at Kyushu Electric Power Company joined Ms. Fishman Cohen and Ms. Carrington in a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Yukari Murayama of Avanti. Encouraging women to return to work after extended leave to care for their children could help Japan ease the problem of an aging society and boost its economy.