Aichi Prefecture and Aichi Prefecture Employers' Association Sign Collaboration Agreement on Promoting Women's Active Participation in STEM Fields

The Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation (hereinafter, the Foundation) signed a collaboration agreement with Aichi Prefecture and the Aichi Prefecture Employers' Association on June 9, 2026, to promote women's active participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. Under this agreement, the three parties will collaborate on the prefectural expansion of "Girls Meet STEM," a tour-type experiential program in STEM fields for junior high and high school girls. This three-way collaboration between government, business, and a foundation, with the employers' association joining as a party to the agreement, is a first for the Foundation nationwide.

Background and Purpose

The proportion of women in STEM undergraduate programs (science and engineering faculties) in Japan is 18.08%, the lowest among OECD countries. Factors cited include a lack of accessible role models and insufficient opportunities to envision future careers. In Aichi Prefecture, one of Japan's leading manufacturing hubs, ensuring diversity in the next generation of STEM talent is a challenge directly linked to the development of the local industry.

To address this lack of opportunities, the Foundation has been rolling out "Girls Meet STEM" nationwide for junior high and high school girls, and has been collaborating with 12 companies in Aichi Prefecture since 2025. Under this agreement, Aichi Prefecture will be responsible for informing junior high and high schools within the prefecture and calling for participation from companies certified under the "Aichi Women Shine Company" program; the Aichi Prefecture Employers' Association will call for participation from its member companies; and the Foundation will manage, operate, and measure the effectiveness of the program. Through the collaboration of the three parties leading to this agreement, participation from 21 companies has been confirmed for this fiscal year, and the scale is further expanding. Going forward, in addition to "Girls Meet STEM," the parties will also continuously conduct school visits and career lectures (outreach lectures) to spread opportunities for female students to feel familiar with STEM across the region.

Name of the Agreement

Collaboration Agreement on Promoting Women's Active Participation in STEM Fields

Date of Agreement

June 9, 2026

Collaboration and Cooperation Items

The parties will collaborate and cooperate on the following matters related to the tour-type experiential program "Girls Meet STEM" for junior high and high school girls and outreach lectures (career lectures given by women working or studying in STEM fields who visit schools):

1. Recruiting participating companies
2. Recruiting participants
3. Raising awareness about women's active participation, including in STEM fields, among participants
4. Public relations activities after the program implementation

Comments from Stakeholders

Hideaki Omura, Governor of Aichi Prefecture

For Aichi Prefecture to further develop as Japan's leading "monozukuri" (manufacturing) prefecture, it is important to incorporate diverse perspectives, including those of women, into STEM fields. Going forward, we will collaborate closely as three parties to increase the number of women aiming for STEM fields, thereby aiming to realize "Japan's most energetic Aichi," where the women who will lead Aichi's future can fully demonstrate their abilities.

Koji Arima, Chairman of the Aichi Prefecture Employers' Association

While Aichi Prefecture is a hub for manufacturing, it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure engineers, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises, and the active participation of female engineers is strongly desired. I sincerely hope that this collaboration will serve as a guide for junior high and high school girls in Aichi when considering their future career paths, and become a powerful driving force for the future of the local industry.

Shintaro Yamada, Representative Director of the Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation

To increase the number of women pursuing STEM fields, it is necessary to address it as a structural issue from the stage of career choice, involving society as a whole. With this three-party collaboration as an opportunity, we will work with more companies to expand opportunities for female students to meet role models within Aichi Prefecture.

About "Girls Meet STEM"

"Girls Meet STEM" is a tour-type experiential program in STEM fields for junior high and high school girls, implemented by the Foundation in cooperation with technical colleges, universities, companies, and research institutions. Participants visit campuses, laboratories, and company offices of technical colleges and universities, experience actual STEM workplaces, and broaden their possibilities for higher education and careers through interaction with university students, graduate students, and working women.

About the Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation

The Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation is a public interest incorporated foundation established in July 2021 by Mercari CEO Shintaro Yamada, aiming to create a society where everyone can demonstrate their abilities through the promotion of D&I (Diversity & Inclusion). Focusing particularly on the gender gap in STEM fields, the foundation develops projects to support junior high and high school girls in pursuing higher education and career choices in STEM fields.