Attendance at the UK-Japan seminar on Diversity and Research Careers
Commemorative photograph with Mr. Tim Hitchens, British Ambassador to Japan
Commemorative photograph with Mr. Tim Hitchens, British Ambassador to Japan
On February 16, 2016, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, Ms. Aiko Shimajiri, attended the UK-Japan seminar on Diversity and Research Careers held at the British Embassy in Tokyo. The seminar was attended by nearly 80 people, including Sir Martyn Poliakoff, Vice-President and Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society. At the beginning of the seminar, Minister Shimajiri stated, "Last month, the cabinet approved the 5th Science and Technology Basic Policy under my guidance as minister. This Basic Plan calls for increasing the ratio of newly hired female researchers to 30 percent within the next five years. I believe that increasing the participation by diverse groups of people including women in science and technology will accelerate innovation and contribute to the development of society and economy."
The seminar covered the present circumstances and initiatives related to diversity and research careers in both Japan and the UK, serving as a basis for lively discussion and opinion exchange.