This is an announcement for the academic forum hosted by the Science Council of Japan, titled "Gender Equality and Justice in Society and Academia - Implementation of the Basic Plan for Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming."
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The Science Council of Japan has made numerous recommendations on gender equality, but Japan's achievement of gender equality has remained low for a long period, ranking 118th out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum's Gender Gap Index (2025).
Following the formulation of the 6th Basic Plan for Gender Equality in 2026, it is necessary to academically re-examine "why gender equality policies have not functioned effectively" and "what constitutes a structural barrier," and to propose effective improvement measures.
This forum is a follow-up to the recommendations published in October 2025, "Toward Gender Equality and Justice in Society and Academia - Challenges Towards 2030,"
Specific implementation of gender mainstreaming
- Ensuring the effectiveness of the Basic Plan for Gender Equality
• Addressing issues of discrimination, violence, and talent development in academia and society.
- Mutually strengthening academic advancement and gender equality
The aim is to discuss these issues by bringing together insights from policy, academia, and practical experience, and to translate them into concrete actions looking ahead to 2030.
The drafting of these recommendations involved representatives from all academic fields, regardless of whether they were in the sciences or humanities, including the Gender Equity Subcommittee of the Science Committee, the Subcommittee on the 6th Basic Plan for Gender Equality, the General Gender Subcommittee of Part 1, the Gender and Diversity Subcommittee of Part 2 in Life Sciences, and the Gender and Diversity Subcommittee of Part 3 in Science and Engineering.
The speakers at this forum represent a diverse range of fields, making it a fitting academic forum for discussing issues scientifically, comprehensively, and inclusively. Scientific thinking is a universal foundation common to all academic disciplines, including not only life sciences and engineering, but also humanities and social sciences. In recent years, interdisciplinary fields such as data science and digital humanities have been rapidly expanding. Free thinking based on diverse perspectives and experiences that transcend the traditional "science/humanities" framework is the driving force behind next-generation innovative research and technological development. However, on the other hand, "gender stereotypes and unconscious biases" are influencing career choices and career development, and the situation in which talented individuals are unable to fully realize their potential is a serious problem.
This symposium aims to comprehensively examine the realities and impacts of such unconscious biases, share the latest trends in gender diversity strategies and career support measures promoted by universities, research institutions, and companies, and build an inclusive and sustainable research and education environment in the scientific field. We hope that this symposium will bring to the realization that "academic diversity is supported by individual diversity" for each participant and serve as an opportunity to jointly envision a positive career path for the future.
Details
| Event name | Academic Forum: "Gender Equality and Justice in Society and Academia - Implementation of the Basic Plan for Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming" |
|---|---|
| Date | December 8, 8 (Sat) 1:13-00:17 |
| Venue | The event will be held at the Science Council of Japan Auditorium (7-22-34 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo). Online streaming will also be available. |
| Eligible persons | Anyone can participate |
| Capacity | Regarding participation in the Japan Science Council's auditorium, registration will close once the capacity is reached, and if the number of applicants exceeds this limit, participants will be asked to attend online. |
| Program | coordinator: Hatsuka Mori (Member of the Third Section of the Science Council of Japan / Professor at the Institute for Advanced Research, Research Promotion Organization, Tokyo University of Science) Kaoru Tamada (Member of the Third Section of the Science Council of Japan / Principal Professor and Vice President of Kyushu University) Kyoko Hida (Member of the Second Section of the Science Council of Japan / Professor, Department of Vascular Biomolecular Pathology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Hokkaido University) Hiroko Mio (Member of the First Section of the Science Council of Japan / Professor Emeritus of Keio University and Tokyo University of Foreign Studies) Mana Shimaoka (Member of the First Section of the Science Council of Japan / Professor, Graduate School of Law, Osaka University) Moderator: Mana Shimaoka (Member of the First Section of the Science Council of Japan / Professor, Graduate School of Law, Osaka University) 13:00～13:05 Opening remarks 13:05～13:15 Purpose explanation 13:20-14:40 Part I: Current Situation and Problem Statement 13:20-13:40 Problem Statement 1: "Why have the five Basic Plans for Gender Equality not functioned effectively? (Related to Recommendations 1 & 2)" 13:40-14:00 Issue Presentation 2: "The Current State of Gender-Based Discrimination and Violence (Related to Recommendation 3)" 14:00-14:20 Issue Presentation 3: "The Current State of Gender Inequality in Human Resource Development in Academia (Related to Recommendation 4)" 14:20-14:40 Issue Presentation 4: "The Future of Academia and a Virtuous Cycle of Social Justice and Innovation Opened Up by a Gender Perspective (Related to Recommendation 5)" 14: 40-14: 50 Break 14:50-16:10 Part II: Solving the Problem (Responding to Problem Statements and Proposing Improvements) 14:50-15:10 Improvement Proposal 1: "Gender Mainstreaming and the Basic Plan for Gender Equality - From a Practical Perspective" 15:10-15:30 Improvement Proposal 2: "What can be done to eradicate gender-based discrimination and violence? – The possibility of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law" 15:30-15:50 Improvement Proposal 3: "To ensure equal and fair talent development in academia - with a particular focus on young talent development" 15:50-16:10 Improvement Proposal 4: "The Potential of Gender-Specific Medicine" 16: 10-16: 30 Break 16:30-17:25 Part III: Panel Discussion 17:25-17:30 Closing remarks and summary comments 17:30 Closing |
| Details / Application | Click here for details and application |
| Organizer | Science Council of Japan |
| Sponsorship | Tokyo University of Science, Kyushu University Office for the Promotion of Gender Equality, Tsuda University Institute for Language and Culture Studies American Culture Research Group, Tsuda University Center for Supporting Female Researchers, Kyoto Women's University Institute for Gender Education, Gender History Society, Gender Law Society, Liaison Council for the Promotion of Gender Equality in Humanities and Social Sciences (GEAHSS), Japan Society of Technology and Corporate Executives, Society of Powder Technology, Toyohashi University of Technology Diversity Promotion Center, Hokkaido University Diversity and Inclusion Promotion Headquarters, International Gender Studies Association, Waseda University Diversity Promotion Office, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, University of Tokyo Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Osaka University (planned), Ceramic Society of Japan (planned), Physical Society of Japan (planned), Japan Society of Applied Physics (planned), Chemical Society of Japan (planned) |
