Special Talk 1: "(Online) Today's Policy Issues for a Gender Equal Society"

Gender Equality Bureau Cabinet Office

Ms. Keiko Okada, Director General

Gender Equality Bureau Cabinet Office, Government of Japan

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AbstractShe will give a lecture on measures to promote gender equality and women's empowerment, as well as future directions. After a comprehensive discussion, specific measures in the field of science and technology are indicated.

BioKeiko Okada graduated from Faculty of Economics in Kyoto University in 1990 and received B.A. in Economics.
The same year she joined to Economic Planning Agency, Government of Japan. In 1997, she received M.A. in International development policy, Food Research Institute, Stanford University. In 2006, She has served as a Senior Researcher, Research Institute for Advancement of Living Standards. She has served as a professor at the Professor at Graduate School of Regional Policy Design, Hosei University in 2008. She has worked as a Counsellor for Public Relations Office, Cabinet Office in 2012, as a Director, Consumer Research Division, Consumer Affairs Agency in 2014, as a Director, Consumer Education and Local Cooperation Division, Consumer Affairs Agency in 2015, as a Director, General Affairs Division, Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office in 2016, Director, General Affairs Department, Economic and Social Research Institute, Cabinet Office in 2018, as a Deputy Assistant Minister, International Cooperation Bureau and Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2020. After that, she has been a Director General of Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office since June 2022.

Special Talk 2: Science/Tech career paths support for female junior and senior high school students
- Introduction of Initiatives"Continuation and Encourage type of STEAM Girls in SAGA"

Dr. Kaoru Araki

Saga University Office for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

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AbstractEnsuring diversity in research is a significant factor in solving social problems through the creation of innovations. Especially in Japan, the number of female researchers and engineers in science and engineering is small compared to other countries, so it is critical to increase the number of female human resources and expand their opportunities. However, Japan has the lowest percentage of female university students in science and engineering courses among the OECD member countries, and the development of female students who choose "science-related career paths" is of great importance. For junior and senior high school students, the selection of liberal arts and sciences is a critical matter that directly affects their university education and future career. Unfortunately, girls tend not to choose "science-related career paths" due to their strengths or weakness in science-related subjects, conservative and stereotypical opinions such as gender role consciousness, and students' internal values.
To break through this situation, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) began the "Science Career Choice Support Program for Female Junior and Senior High School Students" to support higher education institutions that implement projects to promote understanding of science career choices among female junior and senior high school students, faculty members, and parents. Since 2018, Saga University has been selected for this program and has so far implemented a science career selection support program for 2144 female junior and senior high school students, faculty members, and parents in the Western Kyushu region. The project is attracting attention for encouraging girls who aspire to study science, especially in rural areas that are conservative and stability oriented. Its role is not limited to supporting science career choices but also includes middle and high school-university connections, career support for women, university, and graduate student education, solving local problems, and university public relations. In this presentation, we would like to share the current situation of the need for support for girls in science, as well as the planning, results, and challenges of the " Continuation and Encourage type of STEAM Girls in SAGA," and provide an opportunity for everyone to think together about the future development of the next generation.

BioKaoru Araki was born in Sasebo City, Nagasaki. She graduated at Faculty of Medicine and received Doctor of Medical Science from Graduate School of Medical Science at Saga University. She worked as a Specialist in Pediatrics, Occupational Physician at a hospital in Saga Prefecture. She became a deputy director of the Diversity Promotion Office at Saga University in 2017 and an assistant professor at the university's Health Administration Center in 2019, where she promotes diversity in the university, supports female researchers, provides education on infection prevention, and manages health care, etc. Since 2018, she has been working with universities and local governments in the prefecture, she launched the " Continuation and Encourage type of STEAM Girls in SAGA" program with universities and local governments in the prefecture to promote the appeal of science and science-related careers to female junior and senior high school students, their parents, and school teachers in the prefecture. In 2020, she received the "Saga Saikou Award (Women's Activity Promotion Category).