PrologueChapter 1: LevityYuki Shingu makes a brilliant come-back to IT career after nursing care leaveJapan - almost silent over #MeTooWhy having women at the top is not enoughChapter 2: IndependenceMakiko Nakamori approaches corporate governance with resolveGender diversity in Japan Inc. must blast past tokenismWomen must learn to harness the power of networkingChapter 3: PurposeMami Kataoka believes in the power of art to change the worldEvery day is International Men's Day in JapanCompanies must face up to the downsides of workplace diversityChapter 4: AltruismAyako Sonoda inherits altruism and entrepreneurism passed from her motherLet's get real about female equality in corporate JapanRolling with the punches hurts Japanese womenChapter 5: ConvictionMiyuki Suzuki drives change as outsider from withinMeetings with women that 'take too long' are a good thingKawaii culture hurts Japanese women in businessChapter 6: LeadershipMasami Katakura realizes her leadership potential with help from mentorFormer princess Mako's marriage holds a mirror to JapanJapan's language gender divide hurts women at workChapter 7: GrowthRyoko Nagata stays clear of cigarettes in a tobacco companyJapan must break the glass fence keeping mothers at homeJapanese companies must capitalize on gender gap disclosure ruleChapter 8: CuriosityNoriko Osumi normalizes women in scienceJapan needs more STEM research, not tours, to revive innovationWomen can help revive innovation for Japan Inc.Chapter 9: AmbitionYumi Narushima returns to Benesse after running a girls' schoolJapan must reform its antiquated marriage lawsJapan's 'Miss Contests' reflect society's high demands on womenChapter 10: CompetenceMasae Yamanaka builds career in sales traversing four companiesC-suite the last frontier for foreigners eyeing Japan Inc.Can Japan have prosperity without growth?Chapter 11: HomecomingChikako Matsumoto, World Bank alum, thrives at Japanese trust bankJapanese companies can no longer expect lifetime loyalty from workersGender equity is coming to Japan's workplacesChapter 12: ResilienceYasuko Gotoh breaks ground for women career bureaucratsJapanese businesswomen need more than a place at the tableEmployers should encourage risk-taking to beat impostor syndromeAcknowledgements