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L’Oréal Japan established the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Japan Fellowship Awards program in 2005 based on the belief that “the world needs Science and Science needs Women." The program aims to achieve gender equality in science by annually selecting four promising early-career female scientists and providing scholarships to honor their achievements and support their research activities. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the awards. To commemorate this milestone, a talk session will be held featuring previous and new awardees who have risen to leadership positions in the scientific world. The talk session will be joined by Dr. Maki Kawai, President of the National Institutes of Natural Sciences, who represents the Japanese scientific community and serves on the award's jury and Dr. Yoshie Harada, one of the board members of Kansai Kagakujyuku (science program in Kansai region for girls). The talk session will discuss gender disparity in science and the importance of supporting female researchers.

【Reflection】
This program featured the award ceremony for the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Japan Fellowship Awards celebrating its 20th anniversary , along with a talk session discussing the gender gaps in science and the needs to support female researchers.

(1) L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Japan Fellowship Award Ceremony
At the ceremony, six young female scientists—three in each of the fields of Material Sciences and Life Sciences—were honored with the award.

Prior to the awards, Jean-Pierre Charriton, President and CEO of L'Oréal Japan, highlighted that it has successfully identified outstanding female researchers in Japan for nearly 20 years. and it has continued to discover outstanding female researchers for past 20 years. He further highlighted that the Japanese women scientists honored by this program possess immense potential to make immeasurable contributions to the world of science through their dedication, curiosity, effort, innovative ideas, and relentless drive. He emphasized their critical importance in today's world, where science is needed more than ever, and pledged to continue this initiative.

Following this, Consul General Sandrine Mouchet of the Consulate General of France in Kyoto delivered congratulatory remarks, highlighting the significance of the award and France's national commitment to gender equality.
She noted that France has had a Minister for Gender Equality since the 1970s, that gender equality is enshrined in the Constitution, and that policies aiming for equal representation of men and women in government and parliament are implemented. She emphasized that while there has been a significant increase in female students and proactive support measures in STEAM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Liberal Arts, Mathematics), where increasing female enrollment and support measures are actively promoted. However, challenges persist, such as the gender gap in scientific fields and the phenomenon of female researchers' achievements being undervalued compared to their male counterparts. These issues were shared as common challenges faced by many countries, including Japan.

(2) Talk Session: "The World Needs Science, Science Needs Women".
The talk session featured panelists Maki Kawai, a judge in the Materials Science category; Yoshie Harada, active in the science field and holding leadership positions at universities; Aiko Takamine, a recipient of the first award; and this year's awardee, Hikari Okita. Discussions primarily focused on “How has the gender gap in science changed over the program's 20-year history?” and “How should it change moving forward?”

<20 years of journey>
At the outset, the moderator noted that when the award was established in 2005, the percentage of female scientists in Japan was 11.9%. Twenty years later, in 2024, it stands at 18.3%, indicating significant room for improvement.
Regarding that time, Maki Kawai, who was involved in establishing the award, shared that there was trial and error in determining the award recipients and its content. She also expressed the desire to create an award that could accommodate the various life stages of female scientists, such as marriage, childbirth, and study abroad, and that she sensed a growing momentum for increasing the proportion of female scientists.

Aiko Takamine, a first cohort of recipient who was a graduate student at the time, shared that she specialized in nuclear physics, a field with particularly low female representation, and faced employment challenges. She stated that winning this award became a starting point for her career as a researcher, with her motivation and enjoyment of research serving as her driving force.

<The Importance of Promoting Images of Successful Women>
Yoshie Harada, involved in the “Kansai Science Academy (Kansai Kagakujyuku” program supporting science career choices for junior high and high school female students, pointed out the lack of female scientist role models. She explained that they are raising awareness among approximately 1,000 junior and high school girls and their parents about the abundance of jobs in science, technology, engineering, and information fields at universities, companies, etc., and that results are gradually emerging.

This year's awardee, Hikari Okita discussed challenges and prospects for female researchers. She expressed concern that Japan's unique stereotypes about women hinder the emergence of female scientists, while also voicing hope that events targeting junior high and high school students can support changes for these stereotypes.
She added that continuing research requires not only family support but also robust government support and environments adapted to women's diverse life stages.
Building on these discussions, Maki Kawai advocated for women in STEM fields to embrace freer choices and flexible actions, unconstrained by rigid sequences.

<Messages for the next generations>
At the conclusion of the discussion, the panelists shared messages for the next generations.
Hikari Okita stated, “Making your own choices leads to a life without regrets and enables you to persevere.” Aiko Takamine stated, “There is also the path of pursuing research after marriage and childbirth. From the perspective of gaining knowledge to protect children, I hope women who may become mothers will acquire a foundation in science.” Yoshie Harada said, “Nowadays, changing career paths has become easier. I hope you will approach your work joyfully, diligently, and with a positive attitude.” Maki Kawai concluded, “Being a researcher is just one profession. You can continue your research while living a normal life. Live freely.”

【Post EXPO Initiatives】
L'Oréal Japan has supported 81 young female researchers through the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Japan Fellowship Awards.continue L'Oréal Japan is committee do continue these efforts, aiming for a world where such awards are no longer needed.