Junko Miyagawa is an influencer in the food world. She had to leave work to care for her sick child so after 20 years cooking for her family, Junko studied, qualified and became the expert she is in “taste’ education. She is Chair of the Japan Taste Association, a Lecturer at Ucan and a Lambassador.
What do you think Japanese companies and/or government needs to do to help women in Japan?
Introduction of free public education to prevent physical and mental exhaustion caused by financial hardship incurred by some families with young children. Increase class hours for Home Science subjects and teaching Food and Dietary Education as a mandatory/core subject.
This will help Japanese students to acquire "fundamental living skills" such as maintaining their own health, how to create a lifestyle that suits them, and to have flexible attitudes towards work-style. All these will be key in reducing healthcare costs.
What advice do you have for the next generation of women in Japan?
Love work and play. Determine what you need to do at each different stage of your life, set priorities and get going. Skill and confidence will come once you are passionate and are fully committed. Life is actually quite long...you just have to start things. Age doesn’t matter.
宮川 順子さんは子供のアレルギーを機にアパレル勤務から専業主婦に。20年間の手作り生活の後40代で料理教室を開講。各種資格を取得し味覚教育の専門家として協会を設立。(社）日本味育協会の代表理事、(株）ユーキャン食関連講座主任講師及び料理教室主宰、ラムバサダー数々の肩書きを持つ宮川さん！
日本の政府や企業に期待する、女性が活躍なるための支援はどのようなものがあるでしょうか？
子育て世代の経済的困窮による心身の疲弊防止のため、公立校の教育費無償化。医療費削減の根幹となる健康維持と柔軟な生活設計や働き方の思考など「生きる基礎力」獲得のため、家庭科の時間数増加と食育授業の必修化。
次世代の若い女性たちへ何かアドバイスはありますか？
次世代へのアドバイス:遊びも仕事も心残りなく！人生のステージごとに「今するべきことは何か？」を明確にして優先順位を決めやりきる。完全燃焼の先にはスキルや自信というオマケが付きます。人生は意外と長く「始める！」に年齢制限はありません。