Japan has been promoting women to play an active role in industry and sports.
This is Hisamitsu Springs, a women's volleyball team based in Japan's Kobe city. The winner of V. Premier League for the third time in 2013, Hisamitsu Springs has the longest history in women's volleyball league.
The club was formed in 1948 by Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical, a company that develops especially external pain relieving products such as transdermal patch. Its Salonpas brand products are exported to over fifty countries.
The team's performance depends on support by its trainers, medical care specialists, doctors and coaches.
They design a unique training program for each player, and manage their physical conditions by monitoring vital values every day to prevent any injury.
This graph shows every change in physical condition, including body temperature and heart rate.
Also Read
Hirayuki Abutani, a trainer with Hisamitsu Springs, said: "Hisamitsu specializes in human musculoskeletal system and has a strong relationship with health care workers such as doctors and medical therapists."
The trainers monitor the players' physical and mental condition and share the information with medical specialists for the necessary treatment.
Takashi Yagi, another trainer with Hisamitsu Springs, said: "This is body a warmer which can be applied directly on the skin. It helps to warm up the stiff muscles. This is a transdermal pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory tape. It is used when inflammation is found in a player's muscle or joints after practice."
It's not just in sports; Japanese companies are promoting women in the industry as well.
Sagawa Express, a major transportation company, which operates nearly 400 sales offices in Japan, is running the "Women's Exciting Project" since 2011.
The company with 70,000 employees aims to appoint 30 per cent women as staff.
Miho Hyoudou of S G Holdings Co. Ltd. said: "In order to respond to the global society, we are trying to change the stereotype of the courier industry where the majority of workers are men. We want a change to ensure that women can play an active role at workplace. We have created a system in which women are responsible for 30 per cent of the group's revenue."
At this sales office, women operate the business - be it pickup or delivery of goods.
To create an ideal workplace for women, Sagawa Express has increased the number of small sales offices and reduced the delivery area.
They deliver goods by small delivery trolleys, rather using a large truck. The delivery women have great interaction skills with the customers.
A customer said: "Every time when I meet the Sagawa ladies, they always have a smile. I appreciate careful handling of my goods by them. They take extra care, especially for the fragile items."
Sagawa Express now plans to expand into the Asian market, especially in China, Thailand and Vietnam.
And, the company will create a workplace for women wherever it operates from.