Establishing the "Japan Research Secretary Association", a New System to Balance Researchers' Time and Secretaries' Careers, Commemorative Seminar to be Held on May 22
The Japan Research Secretary Association was established in Feb 2026 to solve researchers' time shortages and unstable secretary employment. A commemorative seminar will be held on May 22.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 9, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 9, 2026 at 10:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 12:07 (265h 37m after Collected)
In February 2026, the General Incorporated Association Japan Research Secretary Association was established with the aim of creating an environment where researchers can focus on their original research activities by developing and utilizing secretarial personnel who take on research support tasks.
As its first step, the association will hold an establishment commemorative seminar titled "Reclaiming Researchers' Time: The Future of Research Support" on Friday, May 22, 2026.
## Background of holding the establishment commemorative seminar
"Today as well, I was overwhelmed with meetings and administrative work all day and couldn't get to my original research--"
Many researchers are facing this reality.
In fact, about 80% of university faculty members answer that they "lack research time," and the sense of crisis in the research field is extremely high. According to a survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the proportion of research time for university faculty has dropped from 46.5% in 2002 to 32.2% currently.
Three structural factors lie behind this:
- Increase in the ratio of external funding
- Diversification and sophistication of operations
- Fragility of the research support system
Under these circumstances, university secretaries have contributed to creating an environment where researchers can concentrate on their research.
However, many university secretaries who support laboratories work on fixed-term employment, posing a challenge that makes it difficult to continue their careers even if they accumulate experience and expertise. This structure also makes it difficult for laboratories to accumulate know-how, continuing a situation where knowledge and experience are not sufficiently shared and utilized.
## Background of the establishment of the Japan Research Secretary Association
"Time for researchers to concentrate on research, and sustainable careers for secretaries"
With this mission, the association aims to build a new research support mechanism that simultaneously achieves operational efficiency in laboratories and the specialization of support personnel.
As its first step, the association will hold an establishment commemorative seminar titled "Reclaiming Researchers' Time: The Future of Research Support" on Friday, May 22, 2026.
## Background of holding the establishment commemorative seminar
"Today as well, I was overwhelmed with meetings and administrative work all day and couldn't get to my original research--"
Many researchers are facing this reality.
In fact, about 80% of university faculty members answer that they "lack research time," and the sense of crisis in the research field is extremely high. According to a survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the proportion of research time for university faculty has dropped from 46.5% in 2002 to 32.2% currently.
Three structural factors lie behind this:
- Increase in the ratio of external funding
- Diversification and sophistication of operations
- Fragility of the research support system
Under these circumstances, university secretaries have contributed to creating an environment where researchers can concentrate on their research.
However, many university secretaries who support laboratories work on fixed-term employment, posing a challenge that makes it difficult to continue their careers even if they accumulate experience and expertise. This structure also makes it difficult for laboratories to accumulate know-how, continuing a situation where knowledge and experience are not sufficiently shared and utilized.
## Background of the establishment of the Japan Research Secretary Association
"Time for researchers to concentrate on research, and sustainable careers for secretaries"
With this mission, the association aims to build a new research support mechanism that simultaneously achieves operational efficiency in laboratories and the specialization of support personnel.