#Japan #Tokyo #NEC #Girls Meet STEM #Yamada Foundation

NEC Partners with Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation to Support Future Generations in STEM

NEC is making waves in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field by partnering with the Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation to participate in their initiative, "Girls Meet STEM for School." This program is specially designed for female middle and high school students, encouraging them to explore the diverse and exciting opportunities that STEM careers have to offer. The initiative was officially launched on May 15, 2025, when 40 students from the Toyo Eiwa Jogakuin Middle School were welcomed to NEC's headquarters for an engaging day full of activities that inspire future careers.

The core purpose of NEC is to create social value that is safe, fair, and efficient, all while aiming to nurture a sustainable society where everyone can fully express their humanity. This commitment underlines the significant need for providing equitable opportunities to challenge themselves, irrespective of their backgrounds or identities. As part of this mission, NEC has embedded Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) as a cornerstone of its management strategy and initiated the I&D policy on April 2025, to further enhance their efforts.

Advancing women's roles is a key aspect of this strategic endeavor. NEC is not only supporting women's success within the company but also empowering women in society as a whole. The focus on aiding future generations in their career development is seen as a vital part of this work. This program serves as a conduit for young women to envision their potential future careers and provides a platform to consider pursuing STEM fields actively.

Insights from NEC's Chief Diversity Officer

In a recent statement, NEC's Chief Diversity Officer, Yuka Shigesawa, emphasized that the company's I&D policy is centered around harnessing the diverse strengths of individuals and technology to continually generate new social value based on NEC's principles of fairness and justice. Yuka commented, “I believe that I&D is the source of innovation that addresses social challenges and creates new societal value. We have many female employees thriving while being true to themselves. I hope that young women, especially those contemplating their career paths, see this program as an opportunity to envision their future selves.”

Program Overview

• - Date: May 15, 2025
• - Location: NEC Headquarters, 5-7-1 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• - Participants: 40 third-year students from Toyo Eiwa Jogakuin Middle School
• - Activities include: 1. Introduction to NEC, 2. Workshop on envisioning future possibilities with ICT, 3. Office tour, 4. Career insights from female employees followed by a Q&A session.

Attendance feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 99% of participants reporting satisfaction with the overall program experience.

Selected Feedback from Participants

• - “I had only a vague idea about ICT, but visiting NEC sparked my interest.”
• - “I thought there would be very few female employees in a tech-oriented company, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of women working here.”
• - “Every employee seemed vibrant and genuinely passionate about their work, which is inspiring.”
• - “I was amazed to see facial recognition systems throughout the office; it made me think about pursuing a career in STEM.”
• - “I had trouble imagining what my working life would be like as an adult, but this visit offered fresh insights into the company, the technology, and the employees.”

During a lively workshop with employees, participants engaged in fruitful discussions, while the Q&A session offered real-life stories about the challenges and joys of working in the industry.

Company's Commitment to Educational Outreach

Since 2022, NEC has been actively conducting corporate visit programs for middle and high school students, aimed at giving them a glimpse of their future careers. Over the past year, the initiative has seen significant engagement:

• - Total participants: Approximately 980
• - Number of schools involved: 35
• - Regional distribution: 25% in Tokyo, 25% in the Greater Tokyo Area, and 50% from other regions
• - Gender ratio: 50% male and 50% female participants

In conclusion, NEC believes in the potential of young women and aims to provide them with the tools and inspiration needed to thrive in the future, particularly in STEM fields, through programs like "Girls Meet STEM." This initiative not only supports the next generation of female leaders but also continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society.