Tokyo Governor Praises Women’s Progress in Saudi Arabia at Fortune Summit

RIYADH: Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike on Friday commended Saudi Arabia for making remarkable progress in women’s empowerment under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Speaking at Fortune Magazine’s Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh, Koike said she noticed “significant changes” compared to her past visits to the country.

Koike, the first woman elected as governor of Tokyo and now serving her third term, praised the inclusive transformation Saudi Arabia has undergone in recent years. “Whatever the gender is, the Saudi Vision 2030 transformed the country and made it comfortable for everyone, including males, females, children, and the handicapped,” she told the audience.

The summit, themed “A New Era for Business: Partnering for Global Prosperity,” brought together influential global female leaders. Koike acknowledged the growing freedom of Saudi women, particularly highlighting their right to drive and travel independently—milestones that weren’t possible on her earlier visits.

Sharing her own journey and priorities as a leader, Koike emphasized that making “women’s dreams come true” remains her top mission. She outlined some of her initiatives in Tokyo, including free childcare, tuition assistance, and school lunch programs—all designed to ease the burden on working mothers and ensure equal opportunities for all children.

She also stressed that women’s empowerment isn’t just a local or national issue—it’s a universal challenge. “It’s a common agenda we have to face whether for education, industry, or for vitalizing the economy,” Koike stated. Her comments struck a chord with many in attendance, as they underscored how deeply interconnected gender equality is with economic and social progress.

Koike also reflected on her initiative to form a global network of female mayors and governors. “When I first started the network with my colleague, we only had 39 female mayors and governors elected,” she said. The network has grown over the years, and Koike encourages women to take proactive steps toward leadership. “Women should not wait until they are elected or appointed to join,” she advised. “If you don’t buy a lottery ticket, you will not win.”

Addressing the broader global context, Koike described today’s world as “turbulent” but full of opportunity. She urged women to rise to challenges, be bold, and strive for leadership across industries and nations.

The conference featured a powerhouse lineup of speakers, including Dr. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, Nigeria’s former Minister of Education; Prof. Hanan Abdulraheem Alahmadi, Assistant Speaker of the Shura Council of Saudi Arabia; and Farah Ismail, Deputy Minister of Sectoral and Regional Development at the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning.

Together, they highlighted not only the progress made but the road still ahead. As Saudi Arabia continues to embrace its Vision 2030 agenda, women leaders like Koike remind the world of the power of inclusion, policy, and perseverance in shaping a more equitable future.