The APO Secretariat conducted the face-to-face Multicountry Observational Study Mission on Women’s Economic Empowerment in Tokyo on 26–28 November 2025, gathering 36 participants from 17 member economies. Supported by seven resource persons, five from Japan and two from the Philippines, the study mission featured expert presentations on women’s economic empowerment, its links to productivity, and the key challenges women face across sectors.

Participants examined data related to women’s economic empowerment across APO economies, including the Global Gender Gap Index. Resource persons shared both government and industry perspectives on strengthening women’s economic empowerment and improving women’s access to economic opportunities.

Site visits to the Tokyo Women’s Plaza, where officials and female entrepreneurs shared Japan’s approaches to gender equality, and to Mercari Inc., known for its diversity and inclusion efforts, offered practical insights. At the end of the mission, participants developed policy recommendations and action plans, emphasizing legal reforms, supportive infrastructure, gender-inclusive education, skill development, increasing access to resources, and improving workplace culture across APO member economies.