Hiroshima University (HU) has produced the second most number of women CEOs among Japan’s national and public universities, according to the 12th National Female President Survey of Tokyo Shoko Research, Ltd.

This is the sixth time in a row that the university ranked second. The survey results showed that there are 131 female company presidents who graduated from HU, compared to 130 last year. Clinching the top spot among national and public universities is the University of Tokyo with 184 of their female graduates becoming CEOs, an increase from 178 last year. Osaka University placed third with 127 (121 last year) followed by Kyushu University with 124 (115 last year), Tokyo Medical and Dental University with 104 (102 last year), and Chiba University with 101 (94 last year).

HU ranks 14th place overall on the list including private universities in Japan — climbing up two positions from 16th place last year. Nihon University topped the overall list with 480 (458 last year) female graduates becoming CEOs followed by Keio University with 393 (376 last year) and Tokyo Women's Medical University with 316 (317 last year). 

The survey revealed that the number of female presidents in Japan is expected to reach 612,224 in 2023, almost triple from the 212,153 recorded 12 years ago in 2010 when the survey started.

Read more about the 12th National Female President Survey here (Japanese).

HU has also claimed the top spot among universities contributing to companies headquartered in the Chugoku region. 

*This survey is based on the analysis of approximately four million business owner profiles (including individual enterprises) held by Tokyo Shoko Research, extracting and analyzing female presidents (including directors of hospitals, cooperatives, etc.).