FOCUS: Sony Expands Support for Women Pursuing Science, Engineering

Tokyo, March 26 (Jiji Press)–Sony Group Corp. is stepping up efforts to encourage more women to pursue studies and careers in science and engineering. The company is creating opportunities for junior high and high school students interested in these fields to connect with female engineers working in the industry, as well as with female university students preparing for such careers. Through these interactions, Sony Group hopes to share the excitement of discovering new knowledge and the appeal of applying it in real-world careers. At a time when securing science and engineering talent and promoting diversity in the workplace have become pressing challenges, the company aims to help nurture the next generation of professionals in these areas. At an event held by Sony Group at its Tokyo headquarters last December, university students spoke with high school students interested in careers in science and engineering, describing what had inspired them to pursue science-related studies. “I can’t get enough of the excitement of constantly being inspired,” one university student said. She is a member of the second group of recipients of Sony Group’s scholarship program for science and engineering students, which was launched in fiscal 2024. The program awards about 10 students each year nonrepayable scholarships of up to 1.2 million yen annually for a maximum of six years. In return, recipients are expected to take part in activities that convey the appeal of studying science and engineering to junior high and high school students. Female engineers from the company also took part in the event, where they spoke about their work. With the lack of role models cited as one factor behind the low number of women pursuing studies in science and engineering, Sony Group hopes to highlight the unique appeal of these fields to the next generation, “as if handing over a baton,” a company representative said. According to the education ministry’s 2025 School Basic Survey, women accounted for 47.0 pct of all university entrants. However, their representation was much lower in engineering, at 20.4 pct, and in the natural sciences, at 32.1 pct. By contrast, women made up 63.8 pct of entrants in the humanities. Separately, a survey by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development showed that among women in Japan who advanced to higher education institutions such as universities in 2022, only 7 pct entered STEM fields–science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This was below the OECD average of 15 pct and the lowest among member countries. “The biggest obstacle is that society as a whole does not expect women to pursue careers in science,” said Hiromi Yokoyama, a professor at the University of Tokyo who studies women’s advancement in science-related fields. “There is too little information available” to support them, she added. Emphasizing that aptitude for science is shaped by “individual differences” rather than gender, Yokoyama said, “Women remain underrepresented in core industries such as manufacturing, and as a result, we are losing brilliant minds.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]