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December 12, 2024


 

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JAPAN / Society


MORE JAPANESE UNIVERSITIES ADDING FEMALE ADMISSION QUOTAS FOR STEM FIELDS

This image can no longer be displayed
By Yukana Inoue
staff writer
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Mar 8, 2024


At least 40 universities in Japan have implemented a quota system for female
applicants in fields related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM) — fields studied by a low percentage of women in Japan — according to a
report released by the Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation on Thursday.

The foundation, started by the CEO of Japanese e-commerce company Mercari to
support women in STEM fields, found that some 700 spots in 40 universities
across the nation have been set aside for female applicants in this year's
entrance examinations.





In a survey conducted over the last two months, only three schools — out of 24
universities that replied — had introduced a quota system before 2020; four
began doing so from fiscal 2023 onward; and 16 are beginning in fiscal 2024, the
school year that starts next month. One university plans to implement such a
quota from next year.

The recent increase in schools using a gender quota is thought to be a response
to the education ministry's enrollment selection implementation guidelines for
2023, where a section on “the inclusion of those with a diverse background” put
special emphasis on women in STEM fields.

A majority of the schools surveyed cited the desire to diversify and promote
gender balance within classrooms as the intention behind the adoption of a quota
system.

While some of them said that the new system had been successful, many others
surveyed said it was still too early to determine the quota's long-term effects.

Out of 19 schools that gave a response, 12 said that applicants for this year
have either matched or surpassed the number of spots they set aside exclusively
for female students. One university said that the percentage of women in
engineering fields went up from 10% to 15% over an eight-year period with the
quota system in place.

A quota system is not without its issues, however.

Nearly half of the universities surveyed reported the emergence of opposition
against the system, with some describing it as “unfair” or “reverse sexism."
Schools continue to search for ways to destigmatize quota-based admissions.

Many also emphasize the need to offer better facilities and resources for women
in STEM fields where they are currently lacking. For example, respondents said
they are looking to increase the number of women's restrooms and offer
additional academic support for female students who require it.

Japan is ranked last among 38 countries in the OECD for its proportion of female
graduates in STEM fields.

The most recent data, released by the government last year, showed that although
women comprise nearly half of students receiving an undergraduate education,
they only make up around 28% of those seeking science degrees and 16% of those
pursuing engineering.


KEYWORDS

SCIENCE(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/science), WOMEN'S
ISSUES(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/womens-issues),
TECH(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/tech),
MATH(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/math),
UNIVERSITIES(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/universities),
EDUCATION(https://www.japantimes.co.jp/tag/education)

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