科学技術分野における女子学生の動向，現状と今後

抄録

　Since the 3^rd Basic Plan for Science and Technology started in 2006, policy programs have started to promote the activities of female researchers in science and technology fields. However, one of the critical points on the career-path of female scientists in Japan, in comparison to the European Union, was recently noticed. In Japan, the critical juncture is the entrance into the graduate schools, based on the male/female ratios of students and academic staff in the science and technology fields. A possible reason is the difficulties that women face in finding suitable scientific jobs upon completion of graduate school. Anticipation of this problem would lead to lower graduate school enrollment for women that eventually affects the ratio of female/male researchers, not only in academia but also in the business sector.