#Japan #UNESCO #Tokyo #L'Oréal #Women in Science

Celebrating the 2026 L'Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science Awards

On September 2, 2026, the Japanese branch of L'Oreal, the world's largest cosmetics company, announced the recipients of the 21st annual L'Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science Awards. This initiative recognizes and supports young female researchers who are leading the field in Japan. A panel discussion titled "The Future Women Scientists Envision — Unraveling Scientific Possibilities Through Diversity" accompanied the award ceremony, addressing the challenges of increasing the number of women scientists.

Established in 2005, the L'Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science Awards aim to support young women pursuing doctoral studies in material and life sciences in Japan. Each year, two researchers from each of these fields (a total of four) are awarded 1 million yen, with considerations for their research accomplishments, originality of topic, resilience in facing challenges, and flexibility in scientific interpretation throughout their process.

The 2026 Recipients:

1. Miki Kajiwara (27) — Central University of Tokyo
- Field: Materials Science
- Research: Development of high-speed ejection technology for micro and nano particles using laser light.
- Award Reason: Kajiwara's innovative application of laser technology to accelerate micro-particles has significantly improved the surface strength of materials, contributing to advancements in materials science.

2. Haruna Sugimura (27) — Nara Institute of Science and Technology
- Field: Materials Science
- Research: Synthesis and design principles of novel anti-aromatic iso-fluorins.
- Award Reason: Sugimura's successful synthesis of the world's first anti-aromatic iso-fluorin opened new routes to molecular design, benefiting the advancement of basic organic chemistry.

3. Ayaka Ooshi (28) — Okayama University
- Field: Life Sciences
- Research: Investigating the mechanism of collagen structure formation in axolotls.
- Award Reason: Ooshi discovered a groundbreaking mechanism wherein collagen supports the structure of axolotl skin, paving the way to understanding rejuvenation in future medical applications.

4. Sakura Kirino (35) — Tokyo Medical and Dental University
- Field: Life Sciences
- Research: Mechanisms supporting the regenerative abilities of the digestive tract.
- Award Reason: Kirino identified the role of regenerative stem cells during intestinal inflammation, shedding light on healing processes and their relation to cancer development.

During the ceremony, congratulatory remarks were delivered by Beatrice Le Fraper du Hellen, the French ambassador to Japan, and Katsuhiko Hara, the Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO in Japan.

Panel Discussion Highlights

Led by moderator Renge Jibu, Associate Professor at Tokyo Medical University, the panel featured all four awardees discussing their scientific journeys. Recent statistics reveal a record number of 190,400 women researchers in Japan, reflecting a record 19% of the total researcher demographic. However, globally, the representation of women in science and technology remains low, highlighting persistent gender gaps.

The panelists shared their personal motivations for pursuing science, recounting experiences that ignited their passion and the obstacles they overcame along the way. However, they also acknowledged the unique challenges young female researchers face in maintaining their careers amidst systemic issues in scientific communities.

Discussion points included the gender gap in research, the disproportionate burden of unpaid domestic labor on women, and the need for supportive environments that foster equal opportunity in education and research.

Towards the end of the session, participants proposed several measures to further support women scientists, emphasizing the importance of early exposure to diverse experiences, reforming unconscious biases, and long-term support initiatives like the L'Oreal-UNESCO awards. It was underscored that consistent, dedicated efforts in this direction could cultivate the next generation of scientists empowered by their passion for discovery.

L'Oreal remains committed to addressing these challenges to enhance the involvement of young women in research, thus fostering diverse perspectives and contributing to an inclusive scientific community.