Japan's efforts to reward female-diverse companies' flops

Despite the offer of monetary reward, not a single Japanese company has applied to promote a woman into a senior position.

The program offered companies that hit targets to train and put more women in senior roles up to £1,648.

According to a Spokeswoman for the Japanese Health Ministry, the total budget of £659,000 currently stands unused, as none of the anticipated 500 companies applied.  

The Japan Times reports that some companies deemed the criteria too difficult to adhere to, and that the Health Ministry will relax the requirements and double the payments.