Paper short abstract:

This study inquiries the support system of women entrepreneurship in Hiroshima City by looking into the measures of each support organization. And by interview investigation of 18 female entrepreneurs in Hiroshima City, this study clarifies their entrepreneurial behavior and the factors behind it.

Paper long abstract:

In recent years, with the deepening of various social problems, such as the economic slump and the decrease in the labor force due to the declining birthrate and aging, the creation of female entrepreneurs has contributed greatly to the solution of these problems. However, in Japan, where the gender role division of labor is notable, in the level of entrepreneurial activities, the difference between men and women is also large. In order to maintain the activeness of female entrepreneurship, it is essential to develop the supportive environment that makes easy for women to start a business. As the economic, political, social and cultural contexts are different in each region, the attitude and behaviors of entrepreneurs with their own backgrounds will be different. It is difficult for uniform support measures to achieve the same results. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the overview of the entrepreneurial support environment in a specific region and identify the characteristics of female entrepreneurial activities. The purpose of this study is to inquiry the support system of women entrepreneurship in Hiroshima City, and to clarify the entrepreneurial behavior of female entrepreneurs in the supportive environment and the factors behind it. According to the information on the website of each support organization in Hiroshima City and requested materials of them, there are only a limited number of organizations that play a core role. Support for women by public institutions is deficiency, especially after starting a business. To make up for that, the private enterprise plays an important role in the connection making of female entrepreneurs. As a result of interview investigation of 18 female entrepreneurs in Hiroshima City, most of them work as individuals or family business; the role of job creation is not fulfilled enough. The richness of these entrepreneurs' career and study abroad experience makes them seek mental satisfaction rather than financial satisfaction, and often commercialize things of interest by utilizing their experiences and qualifications when they start a business. When looking at the type of business and the location of the business, a tendency to avoid risk has been found.