Considering ESG Management Through the Lens of Women’s Health: A Report on the Feminine Care Event

On June 26, 2026, we hosted an internal online talk and discussion event titled “Creating a Truthful and Sustainable ‘Workplace’ and ‘Products’: ESG Management Through the Lens of Women’s Health” featuring Ms. Mami Osugi, Women’s Health Advisor at Ryohin Keikaku. We organized this event to provide an opportunity to consider how to create a comfortable workplace for our employees, while also deepening our understanding of products designed with women’s needs in mind and applying that knowledge to our recommendations for customers. 

Why Is “Women’s Health” an ESG Theme? 

At Ryohin Keikaku, we identify key themes essential to advancing ESG management as “material issues” and are actively addressing them. Material Issue 5—“Advance a People-Centered Philosophy for the Common Good, Led by Diverse Individuals”—aims to enable diverse talent to thrive. To achieve this, it is essential that we mutually understand the differences in each employee’s physical and mental well-being and lifestyle circumstances, and work to create a fair workplace environment. 
In addition, women account for approximately 70%*1 of Ryohin Keikaku’s employees, while about 80%*1 of MUJI app members are women. Therefore, understanding women’s physical characteristics and the changes they experience throughout different stages of life is important for creating a more supportive workplace environment and developing products and services. However, such topics are often difficult to discuss openly in the workplace, and some aspects remain insufficiently understood. Against this background, Ryohin Keikaku recognized the need to deepen internal understanding of women’s health issues, taking the launch of its absorbent sanitary underwear in 2023 as a catalyst. The Women's Innerwear Team in the Apparel Merchandising Division collaborated with the Human Resources Division to launch internal training on women’s health issues in February 2024, initially targeting management-level staff such as executives, general managers and managers. To further expand these efforts, this event focused on helping general employees and store staff begin by simply “learning about” these health issues. 

*1 Limited to Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. 

Unraveling the “Unknown”—Understanding the Realities of the Body Through Data

At the event, Ms. Osugi explained the effects that menstruation and changes in female hormones have on the body and work. According to available data, many women experience physical and mental symptoms associated with menstruation and PMS*2, which can negatively affect their work performance. Another study*3 estimates that labor productivity losses related to menstruation amount to approximately ¥491.1 billion annually in Japan. She also shared the significant impacts of menstruation on women’s daily lives. One example of the impact is that women today experience menstruation approximately 450 times over the course of their lives, totaling about six years and nine months. This means that nearly one-sixth of a woman’s working life is spent during menstruation. She emphasized the importance of creating an equitable environment where everyone recognizes and respects individual differences based on this knowledge. 

*2 PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome): Various mental and physical symptoms, such as low mood and fatigue, that begin 3 to 10 days before the start of menstruation. 

*3 Source: Tanaka E, et al (2013) “Burden of menstrual symptoms in Japanese women: results from a survey-based study,” Journal of Medical Economics, 16(11), 1255–66 

Scene from the talk session

It is important to address this through both systems and culture

In the second half of the discussion, participants split into groups to discuss what kind of terminology and initiatives are needed to encourage the use of “menstrual leave.” 
While suggestions were made to adopt leave names that are less likely to be associated with a specific gender, such as “Wellness Leave,” “Self-Care Leave,” and “Maintenance Leave,” some participants also expressed the view that the priority should be to create an environment where employees feel comfortable using the leave program even with its current name. Additionally, there were calls to expand the system to address a broader range of health issues, including not only menstruation but also menopause. Furthermore, there was a shared understanding that the ease of using the system is greatly influenced by day-to-day communication and workplace culture. Participants noted that when supervisors and managers lead by example in utilizing the leave program, employees may feel more comfortable taking such leave themselves. They also highlighted the importance of fostering a workplace culture in which colleagues regularly show concern for one another’s well-being. Moreover, it became clear that there are still challenges in raising awareness within the company, as some pointed out that employees are not sufficiently aware of the system itself. 
Through these discussions, participants reaffirmed the importance of a comprehensive approach that includes not only structural measures, such as improving systems, but also soft initiatives, such as fostering everyday communication and cultivating a supportive workplace culture. 

Products Can Be a Means to Solve Problems—Reaffirming the Significance of Feminine Care Products 

In the latter half of the event, MUJI’s feminine care products were introduced. First, it was noted that menstrual products impose a burden both financially and environmentally. It is generally estimated that women spend approximately ¥400,000*4 on menstrual products over their lifetime, and the environmental impact caused by waste from disposable products and plastic usage is also a significant concern. 

Explanation of Feminine Care Products (as of June 2026) 

MUJI’s absorbent sanitary underwear was developed with a focus on the various concerns women have regarding underwear, such as during their menstrual periods. The sanitary underwear features an absorbent gusset capable of absorbing approximately 10–50 mL of fluid. They are designed with a focus on softness against the skin and comfort. The product was also highlighted for its reduced environmental impact, as it is designed to be washed and reused multiple times. For participants, this served as an opportunity to deepen their understanding not only of the product’s features but also of the daily concerns and anxieties women face. 
When selling products, it is important to understand the challenges and concerns customers face in order to make the best recommendations. This session provided an opportunity to deepen our understanding of both product knowledge and women’s health issues, and to consider how to provide customer service that is more attuned to our customers’ needs. 

*4 Based on an estimated menstrual cycle duration of approximately 40 years over a lifetime, with monthly expenses ranging from ¥500 to ¥1,000 

Participant Feedback— When Consideration Became Tangible 

Participants shared comments such as, “My understanding of women’s health issues has deepened,” and “The event provided an opportunity to reflect once again on the importance of diversity and mutual understanding.” Additionally, many employees working in stores expressed a desire to deepen their knowledge of products, including the absorbent sanitary underwear, so they could make recommendations tailored to customers’ concerns and life stages. Furthermore, we received feedback such as “This is information all employees should know” and “We’d like these sessions to be held regularly,” which reaffirmed the importance of broadening understanding of health issues. The event served as a first step not only toward acquiring knowledge but also toward translating that knowledge into concrete actions in the workplace and at stores.