Message on International Women’s Day

Akira Shimada, President & Chief Executive Officer, Representative Member of the Board, NTT, Inc.

 IWD 2026

Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) is fundamental to NTT Group.

We believe that D&I leads to the value creation on business and contribution to sustainable global society. Empowering women plays a central role in this commitment—not only by strengthening our business, but by supporting long-term social progress.

We continue to advance inclusive workplaces across our operations in Japan and worldwide.

On International Women’s Day, we would like to highlight several initiatives from the past year that support women’s advancement and reinforce D&I throughout the NTT Group.

We believe that innovation is driven by diversity of thought and experience. By encouraging open dialogue among employees of different genders, nationalities, ages, and working styles, we foster new ideas, services, and social value while remaining agile in a rapidly changing environment.

Since fiscal year 2022, female executives across the Group have led interactive roundtable sessions designed to empower women employees through direct dialogue. These initiatives have expanded steadily, both in person and online, reaching a growing number of participants and strengthening confidence in career development. We have also enhanced theme-based programs, including sessions for technical and research roles, and hosted panel discussions where female executives share insights from their own career journeys. In parallel, dialogues between female executives and male managers promote inclusive leadership and talent development across the organization.

Our efforts to advance women are supported by flexible work practices and a culture that encourages initiative and growth. Remote-first work arrangements, flexible scheduling, and enhanced support across life stages enable employees to perform at their best over the long term, and these efforts have been recognized through external awards and global employer certifications.

Looking ahead, NTT Group will continue collaborating with governments, industry partners, academic institutions, and local communities to broaden opportunities for women and diverse talent.

Through a global perspective on inclusion, we remain committed to building a future in which diverse individuals can thrive and contribute to sustained value creation.