今なぜ科学技術分野における女性研究者なのか？

抄録

　Growing concern on women in science, engineering and technology in Japan is based on two major rationales. One is a long-established argument that it is a waste of resource if we do not recognize the potential of women who compose of about half the country’s population. The other is that the trend toward fewer children and more seniors will continue in future. It is clear a male-oriented workforce will not be able to support a “Science & Technology-based Nation” as Japan has achieved up to now.
　 In this paper, we first describe the recent situation of Japanese women researchers. From a survey, many women reported that they have been subject to inequalities in recruitment, promotion and evaluation. They commented that these inequalities were a direct result of marital status or experience of giving birth. Interestingly, the survey found that their executive directors have recognized the presence of such inequalities.
　 Next we introduce many trials and activities of Japanese universities to promote women researchers in science, engineering and technology. We hope that the time will come when women researchers’ power, which has not been fully developed so far, really contributes to society.