Waku Work Marche 2023 (held on December 2, 2023)～Looking at society through the lens of gender. A packed marche full of heartfelt offerings

On December 2, 2023, Waku Work Marche 2023 was held, hosted by the Kurashiki City Gender Equality Division and run by Takahashigawa Presentare.

Just by combining “work” with “waku waku” (exciting) and “marche,” it feels as though the image of work becomes much more fun.

There were talk sessions, panel exhibits, seminars, workshops, and a food marche.

I went to this event packed with activities.

Event Activities

The event was held throughout the community floor on the first floor of the east wing of Mizushima Ai Ai Salon, as well as on the lawn.

All the talk sessions, seminars, and workshops sounded appealing, and I had a hard time choosing when making my advance reservations.

There were many applicants, and some activities were even decided by lottery.

I was lucky enough to get a place in the seminar I wanted. Since I was able to reserve childcare in advance, I could bring my child along with peace of mind.

Marche on the Lawn

I set off eagerly and arrived just after the event began, a little after 10 a.m.

The seminar I had been selected for was an hour later, so I headed straight to the marche on the lawn.

With the sun out, it was warm enough to feel cozy.

The sky was clear and bright, making me feel relaxed and refreshed.

There were 13 shops in all on the lawn.

There were shops that had long been rooted in the community and continued to be loved by many, as well as shops working hard to revitalize the area. Some were rediscovering what makes the community special and sharing its appeal in new ways, while some organizations were working to strengthen the community by rebuilding connections after disasters and other hardships.

▼Here’s what caught my eye.

Yoshimata Shoten’s “Shimotsui wakame,” a local favorite known to those in the know, is perfect for miso soup.

Just one bite is enough to make miso soup lovers exclaim, “The umami is on a whole different level!”

▼For my daughter, who’s always hungry, I got a lotus root croquette from Kushidamaru.

The crispy coating looked deliciously fragrant, and she ate it in no time.

I didn’t get even a bite from my daughter and was tempted to buy another, but it was almost time for the seminar.

I dropped my daughter off at the childcare room and headed to the seminar I’d been looking forward to.

Seminars

Each seminar lasted about 50 minutes, and four were scheduled at staggered times.

Waku Work Marche 2023 is based on the concept of “creating a social environment in various ways, including through systems and people’s attitudes,” to address the major challenge that “the possibilities in each person’s life may be limited because of the sex they were born with.”

The seminars seemed to focus on women’s participation and success.

I signed up for two seminars.

They were led by interview writer Yokoyama Maiko and TAYORI Inc. President Okuno Miwako.

Participants listened intently at both sessions, showing how much interest there is in how women can thrive—including from me.

What both speakers had in common was that they had changed careers due to marriage, childbirth, and moving because of a partner’s job transfer.

Even after changing careers, both speakers have found success in many areas.

Although they work in different places and fields, they seemed to be thriving freely and naturally.

I was thoroughly satisfied with the content, and found myself asking lots of questions afterward.

Even if women find their ideal way of working and living before marriage, isn’t it true for many women in Japan today that these plans are greatly affected by life events such as marriage, childbirth, and moving?

Listening to how each speaker got to where she is today, I felt that neither was bound by existing ideas about how to work or how companies should operate.

Rather than trying to fit into existing systems, the seminar showed us how to discover our own strengths and appeal.

Talk Sessions and Panel Exhibits

Between seminars, I visited the neighboring floor, where panels showcased high school students’ inquiry-based learning projects.

The simplicity of their observations made me see things in a new light, and I was struck by the freshness of the process as they moved from hypotheses to research and inquiry.

It was as if I could see them standing tall, taking a step beyond the threshold of society.

Looking back on my own life, I think there was a time when I tried to ignore questions that came to mind, like “Why?” and “How come?”

Rather than leaving questions that arise in your heart unanswered or forcing yourself to accept someone else’s words, learn and find out for yourself—even if you can’t find the answer right away.

This is something not only students but adults need, too.

Seeing a glimpse of what today’s high school students have learned, the panel exhibit left me with a refreshing sense of hope.

▼Next to the panel exhibit, preparations were underway for the talk session, one of the event’s highlights.

I gave up on reserving a spot because it overlapped with my seminar, but, to my surprise, I got the chance to attend on the day.

The facilitator was Chihiro Miyoshi, representative of Konohitokan General Incorporated Association.

After the university students’ presentations, a talk session featuring high school students followed.

Here, too, I saw how casual questions like “Why?” and “How come?” led to new insights and developed into learning, and I spent a very fulfilling time.

The students shared their thoughts in their own words with people outside school and enjoyed conversations with people other than students and teachers.

Perhaps more exciting things could emerge if there were more opportunities like this talk session, without the boundaries of being a “high school student” or “college student.”

Workshops

The workshop booths had a quiet buzz of activity, with parents and children absorbed in making things.

The instructors had a variety of work arrangements, including running their own businesses and freelancing, but all were active in many fields—not only as handmade craft artists, but also as instructors and event planners.

I couldn’t take part in a workshop because my elementary-school-aged daughter was unwell, but it seems some of the artists have already lined up their next events for Christmas and the New Year.

I’ll be looking out for the next opportunity.

Seeing the seminar content and the many handmade artists in action made me feel that working independently, outside an organization or as a freelancer, may become even more widespread in the future.

From the Writer

Waku Work Marche 2023 was an opportunity to take another look at how we work and the current state of society from a gender perspective.

Each of the many events reflected the thoughts and intentions of the people who organized and ran them.

I think that in the years ahead, people will increasingly be expected to learn about and respect diverse ways of being, not just differences in gender.

By engaging with the questions of students heading into this new era, I felt that I wanted to be an adult who could take action alongside them.

I also felt that, as someone directly involved, I wanted to help create a social environment where women can thrive by making use of their strengths.

I think Waku Work Marche gave people many opportunities to reflect on how, in time, life events might affect neither gender disproportionately, and everyone might live without having their life possibilities limited.

If you couldn't make it to the marche, why not connect with any vendors that caught your interest?

Waku Work Marche 2023 Information

Name	Waku Work Marche 2023
Date	December 2, 2023 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location	1-50 Mizushima Higashichidoricho, Kurashiki City
Admission (tax included)	Talk session, panel exhibition, and seminar: Free Workshops: Fee required (varies by booth) Marche: Fee required (varies by shop and product)
Website	Takahashigawa Basin Presentare, General Incorporated Association

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