Improving the chemical management for non-Japanese researchers toward internationalization of university in Japan

Abstract

Expansion of global research activities has become a critical task for Japanese universities; however, it associates with a challenge of ensuring that non-Japanese researchers comply with regulatory and safety requirements, such as the chemical management. A questionnaire survey was conducted to grasp an understanding and impression of members at an international university regarding chemical management including Japanese regulations and an electronic system. Majority of the respondents are not satisfied with regulatory information provided by the Japanese government for non-Japanese speakers. Those who have experienced in countries other than Japan show some understandings of the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Act. In contrast, the results of survey show the low levels of understanding of other regulations. It reveals that non-Japanese researchers are not familiar with recording the usage of chemicals and taking the periodical medical examination for those who handle harmful chemicals. The results of survey also suggest that the electronic system available in English and Japanese is a useful tool for non-Japanese researchers to manage chemicals in compliance with Japanese regulations. Overall, we present initiatives to improve the chemical management in compliance with the regulations for non-Japanese researchers, which would promote internationalization of universities and global research collaborations in Japan.