"Women in STEM Give Up on Their Paths Due to 'Lack of Information'"—University of Tsukuba Startup Griteen Launches 'RiReal Lab', a Community Connecting Peers
Griteen Inc., an educational startup, has launched "RiReal Lab," a community for female students pursuing STEM fields. The initiative aims to solve structural issues like "lack of information" and "absence of role models" in Japan by connecting middle and high school students with current female university students to share real-world advice and experiences.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 18:48
**Griteen Inc. (Headquarters: Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture; CEO: Haruka Tada), a University of Tsukuba startup operating the programming school "griteen," launched "RiReal Lab," a community for women in STEM, in March 2026.**
**At the first event held on April 1, 2026, a wide range of participants, from middle school to university students, gathered. Current female STEM students directly answered consultations regarding the "reality of pursuing a STEM education" and "troubles unique to women."**
**The proportion of women in STEM fields in Japan is among the lowest in the world, and it is pointed out that a "lack of information" and "absence of role models" are behind this. This community was launched with the aim of solving such structural issues.**
[See details]
(Caption: Scene from the "Consultation Session by Women in STEM" attended by middle school to university students, held online on April 1, 2026)
## **■ Community Overview**
RiReal Lab is a community aimed at creating an "environment where women aspiring to STEM can choose their career paths without isolation."
At each stage, such as choosing a path, taking entrance exams, university life, and job hunting, members can obtain **"real information for decision-making"** by directly connecting with seniors who have actually walked that path.
**▼ Target Audience**
- Middle and high school students (and their guardians) interested in STEM
- University and graduate students in STEM faculties
- Women in STEM worrying about their career paths
**▼ Main Activities**
- Online consultation sessions and round-table discussions
- Talk sessions by seniors
- Constant consultation in the community chat
- Information sharing regarding career paths and job hunting
## **■ Background of the Launch**
This community was born from the issue of the **"information gap for women in STEM."**
Representative Tada encountered programming in middle school and won the world championship at a robot contest with 30,000 participating teams in high school. After that, she skipped grades to graduate from the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Tsukuba, and is currently balancing research at graduate school and entrepreneurship.
(Caption: Scene of winning the overall championship at the world robot contest with 30,000 participating teams during high school)
(Caption: Presenting research results at an international conference as a graduate student)
While advancing efforts to increase the number of women pursuing STEM by launching **"griteen," a programming school for girls**, she received the following voices from many students and parents:
- **"I can't imagine what it's like after going into STEM."**
- **"I have no one around me to consult with."**
- **"There is an overwhelming lack of information on entrance exams and career paths."**
Even if they become interested in STEM through programming, they cannot see their future path or vision and are unable to take a step forward. In response to this current situation, Tada strongly felt that **"whether or not to pursue STEM is determined not by ability, but by 'information'."**
To solve this issue, she launched **"RiReal Lab"** as a place where not only information is provided, but also peers can connect and share real voices.
## **■ 1st Event Report**
At the first event, "Consultation Session by Women in STEM," students from the third year of middle school to the third year of university participated.
Participants shared real concerns such as the following:
- **Anxiety about whether they can manage in an environment with mostly boys**
- **Not having a safe place to rest when feeling unwell**
- **Too little information regarding STEM career paths**
Additionally, current female STEM students shared their actual experiences as follows:
- **In STEM, there is strong solidarity among female students and an environment where they can support each other**
- **Studies are busy, but there is a great sense of fulfillment in return**
- **"Gathering information" and "connections with people" are the keys to choosing a career path**
(Caption: Scene of the consultation session where middle school to university students participated and current female STEM students answered concerns about career paths and university life)
In the post-event survey, comments were received such as:
**"It was exactly the opportunity to hear all the information I wanted."**
**"I was relieved because they kindly answered what I was anxious about."**
**"Hearing actual experiences was the most helpful of all."**
[See details]
## **■ About Media Expansion**
Furthermore, Griteen Inc. also operates **RiReal**, an **information dissemination media** aimed at girls aspiring to STEM.
Based on the concept of "delivering 'real career choices' to girls who are or want to pursue STEM," RiReal is a media outlet where current female STEM students share their experiences, career path information, and the realities of university life.
Focusing on the "information" that is crucial in choosing a career path, it provides content based on actual experiences, such as:
- **Real course contents in STEM faculties**
- **The realities of university life and research**
- **Career examples of women in STEM**
The newly launched community "RiReal Lab" is positioned as a place to provide "human connection" in addition to the "information" obtained through this media, and will support the decision-making of women in STEM from both the information and community aspects.
(Caption: "RiReal," a media outlet disseminating experience-based information on career paths, university life, and careers for women in STEM)
## **■ Comment from Representative Haruka Tada**
"Women in STEM really have a lot of anxieties. Even at this event, real concerns came out, such as voices asking 'can I manage in an environment of only boys?' and 'there is no safe place when I feel unwell.'
And what everyone felt in common was that 'there is an overwhelming lack of information.'
**Through RiReal Lab, I want to create a society where anyone can choose STEM with peace of mind.**"
(Caption: Griteen Inc. Representative Director Haruka Tada)
## **■ Griteen Inc. Company Profile**
Griteen Inc. is a programming education startup established in February 2024. The founder, Haruka Tada, encountered programming in middle school when she lacked confidence, and later achieved the world's number one spot in a robotics competition. In the process, she realized that "more than results, 'grit' makes people grow." Based on this real experience, she started "griteen," an online programming school for girls, with the philosophy of "delivering grit to the teen generation."
In addition to online education, the company also develops hands-on workshops at shopping malls and schools. Through these practical activities, it has been certified as a University of Tsukuba venture, and has expanded to educational activities in collaboration with companies and regions, such as conducting programming workshops for parents and children as part of NTT DATA's employee benefits.
Company Name: Griteen Inc.
Representative Director: Haruka Tada
Location: Tsukuba City Industry Promotion Center 1F, 2-5-1 Azuma, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
URL: https://griteen.com
Established: February 2024
[Request for Quotation/Reproduction]
When quoting or reproducing the contents described, please be sure to clearly specify the service name "RiReal Lab" and the link (https://rireal.griteen.com/) as the source.
**At the first event held on April 1, 2026, a wide range of participants, from middle school to university students, gathered. Current female STEM students directly answered consultations regarding the "reality of pursuing a STEM education" and "troubles unique to women."**
**The proportion of women in STEM fields in Japan is among the lowest in the world, and it is pointed out that a "lack of information" and "absence of role models" are behind this. This community was launched with the aim of solving such structural issues.**
[See details]
(Caption: Scene from the "Consultation Session by Women in STEM" attended by middle school to university students, held online on April 1, 2026)
## **■ Community Overview**
RiReal Lab is a community aimed at creating an "environment where women aspiring to STEM can choose their career paths without isolation."
At each stage, such as choosing a path, taking entrance exams, university life, and job hunting, members can obtain **"real information for decision-making"** by directly connecting with seniors who have actually walked that path.
**▼ Target Audience**
- Middle and high school students (and their guardians) interested in STEM
- University and graduate students in STEM faculties
- Women in STEM worrying about their career paths
**▼ Main Activities**
- Online consultation sessions and round-table discussions
- Talk sessions by seniors
- Constant consultation in the community chat
- Information sharing regarding career paths and job hunting
## **■ Background of the Launch**
This community was born from the issue of the **"information gap for women in STEM."**
Representative Tada encountered programming in middle school and won the world championship at a robot contest with 30,000 participating teams in high school. After that, she skipped grades to graduate from the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Tsukuba, and is currently balancing research at graduate school and entrepreneurship.
(Caption: Scene of winning the overall championship at the world robot contest with 30,000 participating teams during high school)
(Caption: Presenting research results at an international conference as a graduate student)
While advancing efforts to increase the number of women pursuing STEM by launching **"griteen," a programming school for girls**, she received the following voices from many students and parents:
- **"I can't imagine what it's like after going into STEM."**
- **"I have no one around me to consult with."**
- **"There is an overwhelming lack of information on entrance exams and career paths."**
Even if they become interested in STEM through programming, they cannot see their future path or vision and are unable to take a step forward. In response to this current situation, Tada strongly felt that **"whether or not to pursue STEM is determined not by ability, but by 'information'."**
To solve this issue, she launched **"RiReal Lab"** as a place where not only information is provided, but also peers can connect and share real voices.
## **■ 1st Event Report**
At the first event, "Consultation Session by Women in STEM," students from the third year of middle school to the third year of university participated.
Participants shared real concerns such as the following:
- **Anxiety about whether they can manage in an environment with mostly boys**
- **Not having a safe place to rest when feeling unwell**
- **Too little information regarding STEM career paths**
Additionally, current female STEM students shared their actual experiences as follows:
- **In STEM, there is strong solidarity among female students and an environment where they can support each other**
- **Studies are busy, but there is a great sense of fulfillment in return**
- **"Gathering information" and "connections with people" are the keys to choosing a career path**
(Caption: Scene of the consultation session where middle school to university students participated and current female STEM students answered concerns about career paths and university life)
In the post-event survey, comments were received such as:
**"It was exactly the opportunity to hear all the information I wanted."**
**"I was relieved because they kindly answered what I was anxious about."**
**"Hearing actual experiences was the most helpful of all."**
[See details]
## **■ About Media Expansion**
Furthermore, Griteen Inc. also operates **RiReal**, an **information dissemination media** aimed at girls aspiring to STEM.
Based on the concept of "delivering 'real career choices' to girls who are or want to pursue STEM," RiReal is a media outlet where current female STEM students share their experiences, career path information, and the realities of university life.
Focusing on the "information" that is crucial in choosing a career path, it provides content based on actual experiences, such as:
- **Real course contents in STEM faculties**
- **The realities of university life and research**
- **Career examples of women in STEM**
The newly launched community "RiReal Lab" is positioned as a place to provide "human connection" in addition to the "information" obtained through this media, and will support the decision-making of women in STEM from both the information and community aspects.
(Caption: "RiReal," a media outlet disseminating experience-based information on career paths, university life, and careers for women in STEM)
## **■ Comment from Representative Haruka Tada**
"Women in STEM really have a lot of anxieties. Even at this event, real concerns came out, such as voices asking 'can I manage in an environment of only boys?' and 'there is no safe place when I feel unwell.'
And what everyone felt in common was that 'there is an overwhelming lack of information.'
**Through RiReal Lab, I want to create a society where anyone can choose STEM with peace of mind.**"
(Caption: Griteen Inc. Representative Director Haruka Tada)
## **■ Griteen Inc. Company Profile**
Griteen Inc. is a programming education startup established in February 2024. The founder, Haruka Tada, encountered programming in middle school when she lacked confidence, and later achieved the world's number one spot in a robotics competition. In the process, she realized that "more than results, 'grit' makes people grow." Based on this real experience, she started "griteen," an online programming school for girls, with the philosophy of "delivering grit to the teen generation."
In addition to online education, the company also develops hands-on workshops at shopping malls and schools. Through these practical activities, it has been certified as a University of Tsukuba venture, and has expanded to educational activities in collaboration with companies and regions, such as conducting programming workshops for parents and children as part of NTT DATA's employee benefits.
Company Name: Griteen Inc.
Representative Director: Haruka Tada
Location: Tsukuba City Industry Promotion Center 1F, 2-5-1 Azuma, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
URL: https://griteen.com
Established: February 2024
[Request for Quotation/Reproduction]
When quoting or reproducing the contents described, please be sure to clearly specify the service name "RiReal Lab" and the link (https://rireal.griteen.com/) as the source.
FAQ
What kind of community is RiReal Lab?
It is a community where women aspiring to STEM can directly consult with seniors who have actually walked that path regarding their career choices and university life.
Who is eligible to participate?
The target audience includes middle and high school students interested in STEM (and their parents), university/graduate students in STEM faculties, and women in STEM worrying about their career paths.
What was discussed at the first event?
Participants shared concerns such as anxiety about male-dominated environments and lack of career information, while current female STEM students provided advice based on their real experiences.