The graduate school has launched an international collaborative research project aimed at addressing gender inequality in Japan. This initiative is part of the research system strengthening plan under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s “University for International Research Excellence” program. We have invited three internationally renowned researchers as visiting professors: Marianne Bertrand (Professor, Booth School of Business, University of Chicago), Patricia Cortes (Professor, Questrom School of Business, Boston University), and Jessica Pan (Professor, National University of Singapore, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration).

This project, with a total budget of approximately 200 million yen over five years, invites world-leading researchers in gender studies to address Japan’s gender challenges through both academic research and policy recommendations. It specifically focuses on pressing issues in Japan such as “Promotion of Women to Managerial Positions,” “Encouraging Men’s Participation in Childcare,” and “Gender Differences in Career Choices,” aiming for high-impact policy outcomes based on empirical methods.

Masayuki Yagasaki from this Graduate School serves as the Project Manager, responsible for advancing the entire project in terms of research design, implementation, and dissemination to society.

■Expected Outcomes

・Establishing Tohoku University’s international standing in the field of gender economics

・Conducting research addressing gender issues in Japan

・Fostering young researchers and developing an international research environment