Design Research on Women’s Empowerment and Work-Life Balance in Central Government Agencies

Although systems exist, they remain underutilized—making the invisible barriers visible.

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nae partnered with the Cabinet Bureau of Personnel Affairs to conduct a design research project focused on workplace environments within Japan’s central government agencies, with the goal of promoting gender equity and work-life balance among national public servants.

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Despite the availability of support systems for balancing work with childcare or caregiving, the research revealed persistent psychological and structural barriers preventing their active use.

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This project focused on the gap between the existence of policies and their practical usability. By carefully uncovering and visualizing the experiences and voices of staff members, we extracted key insights that serve as a foundation for more effective policy-making.