The Journal of Science Policy and Research Management

Counting on women engineers

Hiroshi NAGANO

Article type: Article
2015 Volume 30 Issue 2 Pages 82-83
Published: September 15, 2015
Released on J-STAGE: October 19, 2017

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.20801/jsrpim.30.2_82

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On the thirtieth anniversary of the Japan Society for Science Policy and Research Management (JSSPRM), this special issue warrants congratulations for two reasons: first, this is the first undertaking focusing on the activity of working parties (Divisions) within the Society and second, it celebrates the accomplishments of women engineers. The Division of Women Engineers Support of the JSSPRM (JWSE) was inaugurated in 2009. Since its inception, the Division has carried out quite a few activities. Accordingly, it has become apparent that without the contribution of women engineers, Japan will fall behind in the race for building a sustainable and resilient country in the 21st century.

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Women Engineers Brimming with Greater Vigor : Introduction to the special issue(JSSPRM Division Report: WOMEN ENGINEERS-CURRENT STATUS AND ISSUES)

Mizue Y. KISSHO, Shinichi KOBAYASHI

Article type: Article
2015 Volume 30 Issue 2 Pages 84-90
Published: September 15, 2015
Released on J-STAGE: October 19, 2017

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.20801/jsrpim.30.2_84

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This special issue is prepared by the Division of Women Engineers Support of the Japan Society for Science Policy and Research Management (JWSE) to make clear recent trends and challenges of women engineers. In Japan, the number of women engineers in 2010 is 187 thousand among 2,154 thousand of all engineers. The ratio of women engineers is 8.7%, which is even lower than other countries. However, it is increasing generation by generation. The ratio of women university graduates in 2012 is 25.6% in science, as well as 11.3% in engineering. These are lower, too. The Japanese Government has intended to increase the number of women scientists, while the government has not paid attention to women engineers enough. Therefore, JWSE was established to promote research and study of women engineers, to make policy proposals, and to provide a forum for discussions. JWSE prepares the special issue of the journal 'Kenkyu, Gijutsu, Keikaku,' where JWSE invites essays of Kissho, Yoshii and Sugita, Torii and Shikano, and summarizes the discussion of women engineers, including Takeda, Nakamata and Watanabe. Finally, the former presidents of the society, Nakahara and Takeda provide their messages to the special issue.

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International Organizations of Women Engineers(JSSPRM Division Report: WOMEN ENGINEERS-CURRENT STATUS AND ISSUES)

Mizue Y. KISSHO

Article type: Article
2015 Volume 30 Issue 2 Pages 91-101
Published: September 15, 2015
Released on J-STAGE: October 19, 2017

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.20801/jsrpim.30.2_91

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This paper reports the present and the past of International Organizations of Women Engineers. There are eleven women engineers' organizations. They are ICWES (International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists), INWES (The International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists), SWE (The Society of Women Engineers: USA), WEPAN (Women in Engineering Pro Active Network: USA), WISE (Women into Science and Engineering: UK), WES (The Women's Engineering Society: UK), EU (Women and Science), EU EIGE (The European Institute for Gender Equality), EU EPWS (The European Platform of Women Scientists), IEEE WIE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Women in Engineering), and IMech EDSG (The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, The Equality and Diversity Steering Group). Japanese organizations of women scientists and engineers have made effort to joining the international activities from the first meeting of ICWES in 1956. However, their activities are very low. The conclusion gives some measures to activate present Japanese organizations of women in STEM.

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Women Scientists and Engineers in the Community of Refractories Technology : The Historical Background, Status Quo and their Problems to Tackle(JSSPRM Division Report: WOMEN ENGINEERS-CURRENT STATUS AND ISSUES)

Yoko YOSHII, Kiyoshi SUGITA

Article type: Article
2015 Volume 30 Issue 2 Pages 102-109
Published: September 15, 2015
Released on J-STAGE: October 19, 2017

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.20801/jsrpim.30.2_102

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After describing some outlined historical backgrounds, the present circumstances of Japanese women scientists and engineers in the field of refractories technology were summarized, focusing on their actual achievements and experience-based opinions. Several distinguished women including overseas ones who greatly contributed to the technology were also introduced as some provably typical role models. Women so far working for refractories in this country, both in academia and industry, have been very few, but it does not necessarily mean that women are unsuitable for the field. Modern refractories technology covers diverse knowledge about materials, heat technologies, metallurgical and chemical processes, etc., which needs higher diversity-handling and integrating ability peculiar to women. More efforts to gain the publicity of this vital technology is necessary to increase incoming women scientists and engineers to this community.

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The US Professional Engineer : Noteworthy licensure for Japanese female engineers(JSSPRM Division Report: WOMEN ENGINEERS-CURRENT STATUS AND ISSUES)

Hiroyuki TORII, Noriko SHIKANO

Article type: Article
2015 Volume 30 Issue 2 Pages 110-116
Published: September 15, 2015
Released on J-STAGE: October 19, 2017

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.20801/jsrpim.30.2_110

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This article is an overview of PE license in the United States, in particular we focused on the history, examination system, status of PE in society. Also we mentioned about the differences between the PE in US and Japanese professional engineer license. PE license in US is expected to become an international standard of engineers certification. In order for Japan to export in frastructure, in order to increase the female engineers also, Japanese it is important to know well about the PE license in US.

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A Present State of the Women Engineers in Japan : A round-table discussion(JSSPRM Division Report: WOMEN ENGINEERS-CURRENT STATUS AND ISSUES)

Yukiko TAKEDA, Chiyuki NAKAMATA, Miyoko O. Watanabe, Shinichi KOBAYASH ...

Article type: Article
2015 Volume 30 Issue 2 Pages 117-130
Published: September 15, 2015
Released on J-STAGE: October 19, 2017

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.20801/jsrpim.30.2_117

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Three women engineers discuss on issues: aims of diversity, globalization and diversity, getting the job, a role of a little older mentor, a healthy work-life balance, development of women leaders, women directors enhancing women managers, employment of women engineers and challenges of primary and secondary education.

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Expectations for JWSE and Women Engineers(JSSPRM Division Report: WOMEN ENGINEERS-CURRENT STATUS AND ISSUES)

Tsuneo NAKAHARA, Yasutsugu TAKEDA

Article type: Article
2015 Volume 30 Issue 2 Pages 131-134
Published: September 15, 2015
Released on J-STAGE: October 19, 2017

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.20801/jsrpim.30.2_131

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The former presidents of the society provide messages: Nakahara giving message about JWSE's expected role, Takeda recalling Japanese women's vital lives in the post World War II years.

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[title in Japanese]

Article type: Bibliography
2015 Volume 30 Issue 2 Pages 135-136
Published: September 15, 2015
Released on J-STAGE: October 19, 2017

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.20801/jsrpim.30.2_135

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