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WIE JapanDear members of the IEEE Japan Council Women in Engineering Affinity Group,
As the new Chair of IEEE Japan Council Women in Engineering Affinity Group, please allow me a few words as I assume my duties.
First, let me commend the efforts of our First Chair Professor Michiko Kuroda, Professor Akinori Nishihara, the board members as well as all the others who have contributed. WIE Japan has made great progress since its establishment in May 2005 because of their hard work. This reflects their persistence in nurturing female engineers and researchers, improving the status, and their international contributions.
As you know, women's status in Japan is still very low, ranking 54th in the latest UNDP Gender Empowerment Measure and 91th in the Gender Gap Index of the World Economic Forum. Increased participation of women in technical fields is critical for Japan's economic development.
In this context, WIE Japan, under IEEE's world-wide academic umbrella, can become an international role model by making major contributions to enhance the activities of Japanese women engineers and researchers.
Our basic aim is to further develop our current activities to improve the career development of women engineers and researchers. At the same time, we will, of course, work to increase our membership.
I will target steady progress. I ask you, dear members, to continue to offer the same gracious cooperation and support you have granted us since 2005.
Hideko S. Kunii