The conference was jointly sponsored by the US National Science Foundation and the Support Office for Female Researchers in Hokkaido University.
At the Discussion, six American and seven Japanese panelists with experience in promoting gender equality discussed the issues and problem areas related to gender-equal participation, and gave ideas on how the two countries can cooperate to address these issues.
After presentations were made on equal participation promotion programs in Japan and the US, workshops were held on career development, work-life balance, and leadership training.
RIKEN has a gender equality program supporting the various needs of all employees. Not only does it actively support its female researchers, RIKEN is engaged in creating work environments that allow both men and women to realize their full potential, For example, RIKEN subsidizes a research support person for pregnant research staff or staff responsible for the care of small children, and work attendance exemptions are available for childcare.
