Shiseido Holds Award Ceremony for 18th Shiseido Female Researcher Science Grant Recipients

Shiseido Company, Limited (hereinafter, Shiseido) has selected 10 recipients out of a total of 108 applicants for the 18th Shiseido Female Researcher Science Grant (hereinafter, this Grant) and held an award ceremony at the Shiseido Global Innovation Center on Friday, July 20, 2025.
Since its establishment in 2007, this Grant has provided research grants for research themes covering a wide range of fields in the natural sciences (all fields in science and engineering, as well as life sciences) to up to 10 female researchers each year on the principle that supporting female researchers taking on leadership roles in the next generation will lead to the development of science and technology. One of its features is that the granted fund of one million yen can be flexibly used to create a comfortable working environment with an adequate balance of research activities and personal life events. For example, the fund can be used for babysitters or daycare fees when attending academic conferences, hiring research assistants, and so on. Network building among the grant recipients also helps reinforce the recipients’ research activities and career development.
Amid the growing awareness of the challenges in closing the gender gap in the STEM* fields in Japan, Shiseido, as a company that actively promotes women's empowerment, will contribute to realizing a sustainable society through the development of science and technology made possible by supporting female researchers.
* Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

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Outline of grant award ceremony

＜Event Name＞ 18th Shiseido Female Researcher Science Grant Award Ceremony
＜Theme＞ ”Leveraging the Network of Female Researchers”
＜Time and Date＞ Friday, July 20, 2025, 10:30-18:30 JPT
＜Venue＞ Shiseido Global Innovation Center 3F (1-2-11 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan)
＜The 18th Award Ceremony＞
- Greetings (Ayako Hirofuji, Corporate Executive Officer, Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief DE＆I Officer, Shiseido Co., Ltd.)
- Greetings from the Head of Judging Committee and presentation of the award plaque (Yosuke Tojo, Executive Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Shiseido Co., Ltd.)
- Comments from the 18th grant award recipients
＜Speeches by Former Recipients＞
- Speeches by the 3 recipients of this Grant Award in the previous years: ”Progress of research results since the end of the grant period and advice based on the recipients' own step-up experiences”
＜The 17th Research Report Meeting＞
- Presentation and discussion By 10 recipients of the 17th Shiseido Female Researcher Science Grant Award
- Social gathering

Current Status of the Female Researchers and this Grant

In Japan, female researchers comprise18.5%** of all researchers, and although this represents an increasing trend, the proportion of female researchers in Japan remains lower compared to that in other countries. While many female researchers are concerned about achieving work-family balance, other issues have also been brought to attention (e.g., ”There aren't many female researchers so having their position understood is difficult,” ”Female researchers have no one around them to consult or exchange information with”), which suggest that many female researchers lack a sufficiently developed environment for both private activities and research activities.***
Shiseido established this Grant in 2007 considering these circumstances and has continued to support motivated female researchers aiming for leadership positions. The company’s objective is to increase research diversity and promote the growth of science and technology in Japan by creating an environment that encourages female researchers to take on more active roles.
** Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications 2023 Science and Technology Research Survey Results (https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/kagaku/1551.html )
***　Shiseido Survey period: November 16-30, 2022. Number of respondents among Shiseido Female Researcher Science Grant recipients: 74 (Numbers asked: 119)

Comments from the 18th Grant Award Recipients

On the day of the ceremony, each grant recipient shared their future aspirations. One recipient noted, ”There aren't many researchers working in my research field compared to other countries and regions; I hope to take on a leadership position and promote this field in the future,” while another recipient stated, ”Even at the university where I belong, the low proportion of female researchers has been an issue; I would like to continue to make efforts, drawing encouragement from this Grant, so that I can someday earn a leadership position,” each reaffirming their determination toward future goals.

Prospects

To improve the difficult research environment for female researchers in Japan and help them take on active roles, it is important to increase the number of women involved in decision-making at research institutions. Shiseido will continue supporting the development of female researchers taking on leadership roles through this Grant to help advance science and technology in Japan.