Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, Challenges to “Make a New World” at HeForShe Second Anniversary Event

New York, NY (September 20, 2016) – HeForShe IMPACT Champion and Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, addressed the HeForShe second anniversary with a firm commitment to gender equality, saying that if a conservative country like Japan changes, the world will change.

Abe spoke to the economic rationale behind empowering women. "I am a firm believer that without women’s empowerment, there is no revival of the Japanese economy," he said.

The Prime Minister also said that the importance of diversity in decision-making would not only strengthen the economy, but also the resilience of society. Because of this, he has asked Japanese companies to have at least one woman on their boards. “If Lehman Bothers had been Lehman Brothers and Sisters, would they have failed?” the Prime Minister quipped.

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Photos from the event available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/heforshe/albums/72157670838910784