Gender Gap in Science in Japan

Abstract

Women are globally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) researcher careers. Among the major players of STEM research, Japan is marked by the largest gender gap. Drawing on cohort analyses with the population data of 97,422 STEM PhD graduates in 1985-2004 and tracing their careers up to 2012, this study shows that the overall gender gap has narrowed since the 1980s largely due to females’ higher college attendance. The probability of continuing in an academic research career has slightly increased for female PhD graduates, however, it has actually decreased in the field of Science. A lower probability of surviving for females is particularly noticeable in elite imperial universities. The paper tests if institutional social network has a moderating effect on the probability of exiting an academic research career and if the network effect is gender biased. We find that male researchers tend to benefit more than female of a male social network especially when entering the research career and at the senior level. The gender effect is particularly important and significant when we consider the network of star scientists.