Ms. Hillary Clinton Speaks About Gender Equality at Sasakawa Peace Foundation Forum

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sat down for a conversation with Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, U.N. under-secretary-general and high representative for disarmament affairs, in Tokyo on October 20 on the theme of “A Watershed Moment for Gender Equality.”

Before the event organized by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, I talked with Ms. Clinton briefly. When I showed her photographs of the two of us taken in 1998 and 1999, she laughed and said we were both getting old. And, flattery or not, she also said she remembered the occasions.

The conversation between Ms. Clinton and Ms. Nakamitsu was truly impressive and inspiring, covering the role of women in political, economic and social life and in ongoing conflicts around the world, including Iran, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Myanmar, in the context of gender parity.

In particular, Secretary Clinton warned of new challenges, including the crucial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and the threats posed by a “growing autocratic mindset” around the world.

When Ms. Nakamitsu turned the conversation to Japan, which currently ranks 116th out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum Gender Gap Index, the lowest ranking among the G7 major economies, Secretary Clinton said: “Japan is a highly productive country, but its productivity and economic growth could be even greater with a plan to integrate more women into the workforce.”

In response to the final question, on whether she planned to run for president again in 2024, she replied with a wry smile and straightforward “No!” The event ended with the audience giving the speakers a standing ovation.

I was particularly pleased that many of the Japanese university student volunteers The Nippon Foundation sent to Poland earlier this year to assist Ukrainians displaced by Russia’s continuing aggression against Ukraine joined the event. I believe they have become more interested in international affairs after their voluntary activities in Poland.

After the forum, I hosted a luncheon for the two speakers. Joining us were a number of Japanese female leaders, including Ms. Masako Mori, former justice minister and now a special advisor to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida; Ms. Yoko Kamikawa, also former justice minister and an acting secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party; Ms. Tomoko Yoshino, president of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO), the country’s largest labor organization; and Ms. Naoko Yamazaki, an astronaut.

Since Ms. Clinton’s birthday was only a few days later on October 26, at the end of lunch we sang “Happy Birthday to Hillary!” prompting her to joke, “From next year I’ll visit Japan every year.”