Toward an inclusive and diversified society in which nobody is left behind -the goals of SDGs

News Letter

Issued in October 2022

No.8

2019 MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Funds for the development of human resources inscience and technology, Initiative for the implementation of the diversity research environment (Driving Type)The setup of a preparatory committee for “the Echigo Manufacturing Industry
Consortium for Diversity”
In April 2022, we launched a preparatory committee to establish the "Echigo Manufacturing Industry
Consortium for Diversity". In order to secure a workforce and revitalize industry in the industrial andengineering fields and related industries such as design and distribution in Niigata Prefecture, thisconsortium has the following two missions: 1) To spread diversity in the workplace and research
environment, where members with diverse attributes and varied life backgrounds can demonstrate theirindividual abilities and work with vigor and vitality, and 2) To develop human resources.
As part of the "Initiative for the implementation of the diversity research environment ", a subsidized
project for human resource development for science and technology by the Ministry of Education, Culture,Sports, Science and Technology that began in FY2019, Nagaoka University of Technology (NUT), National
Institute of Technology (KOSEN), Nagaoka College (NIT, Nagaoka College), eTrust Co., Ltd., and Takano
Labor and Social Security Attorney Office, which are partner institutions, will serve as the steeringcommittee. Specifically, the committee will increase the number of member institutions through study
sessions to resolve issues and share information on best practices.

Consortium Vision

To bring together diverse people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, age, disability,nationality and so on, so that each can engage in rewarding work and lead fulfilling lives, and so that "manufacturing"and manufacturing-related industries that support them and are supported by them can develop as a unified whole.

Examples of planned approaches
Raising awareness: Holding symposium with training program
Environmental improvement: Establishment of a general affairs network and sharing of best practices
Fostering the next generation: Providing science and engineering programs for elementary and junior high school
students
Empowerment of researchers and engineers: Recurrent education
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Exchange meeting between member companies and students was held (NUT)
On June 29, Sakata Co., Ltd. and eTrust Co., Ltd, both members of the Echigo Manufacturing
Consortium for Diversity Preparatory Committee, introduced their diversity promotion efforts in a classfor graduate students of NUT entitled "Social Skills during consideration of Diversity”.
In the panel discussion that followed, Maki Takano, a labor and social security attorney, joined thepanelists in discussing the process of establishing initiatives such as “zero overtime work” andpromoting male childcare leave, as well as the career choices of each panelist. We got the following
comments from the 90 graduate students who attended the event.
・I was surprised that there is a company in Nagaoka that thinks so much about how to work.
・I was able to realize that improvements are possible through ingenuity and methods, such as
staggered working hours and the use of digital technology. I was impressed with seeing how they
continue to make efforts to improve the quality of their paternity leave system throughquestionnaires and hearings. I thought that I would like to change my own awareness starting frommy immediate surroundings so that balancing work and life will become a normal part of society.
・I felt that a company that allows male employees to take paternity leave has a great positive impact
on other companies and workers. I was impressed by the company's efforts to link the growth of thecompany with the consideration of its employees.
・I have learned that there are many small and medium-sized companies that are establishing a goodworking culture.
・It was a very valuable opportunity for me to hear the true feelings of the company, which is difficult
to hear at internships and interviews.

Member Institutions
Takano Labor and Social Security Attorney Office
Established in Nagaoka City in 2011. Based on the philosophy of "creatinga workplace environment that enriches the lives of workers and contributes
to regional development", the office works on "corporate development","women's advancement", and "regional revitalization".

Maki TAKANO
Representativeof the office

The office is working together with their clients to find solutions to various issues such as human resource
shortages, long working hours, restless workplaces, balancing work with childcare and nursing care.
The representative, Ms. Maki Takano, a certified labor and social security attorney has been active as aguest lecturer for Nagaoka City's "Nagaoka Working Style Plus Support Project," training by the HumanRights and Gender Equality Division, and diversity classes at NUT, among others.

“NAGAOKA KOSEN GIRLS" website has been launched (NIT, Nagaoka College)
In the hope that as many junior high school girls as possible willaspire to become engineers or researchers, female students ofNIT, Nagaoka College and the Diversity Promotion Office havetaken the lead in creating the "NAGAOKA KOSEN GIRLS"website. The girls are also introducing the attractiveness of NIT,
Nagaoka college through "REAL KOSEN GIRL's TALK" andother programs.
https://www.nagaoka-ct.ac.jp/kosen-girls/top/2

Exchange meeting between high school and technical college female students andNUT female students" was held at the open campus (NUT)
On August 6, a social event was held at the NUT Open Campus for female high school andtechnical college students. 19 people participated in the event. Maki Yamamoto, Director of theOffice for Gender Equality, gave a presentation on the status of female students at NUT. Wide topics
from "preparation for the entrance examination", "assignment to a laboratory", "measures against
heavy snow" to "Nagaoka Ramen", the exchange was friendly and frank from start to finish.
In the participants' questionnaire, there were comments such as "I was able to hear real voices about
topic that I could not know from pamphlets and school introductions," "It was good to learn aboutproblems unique to women", "I was able to get an image of student life", "It was very enjoyable tohear interesting episodes", and "The teachers and students were friendly. I enjoyed it very much".
Example questions of a Q and A session
・How do you get information aboutlaboratories?
・How hard is the academic work?
・What should I prepare before enteringschool?
・Can I do club activities and part-timejobs?
・What is the difference between
entering the first year and the thirdyear?
・How will the heavy snow affect me?
・Is it better to have a car?

Upcoming Events
Diversity Project Symposium

Seminar for aspiring Female Managers andLecture by Naoki Atsumi, a leading expert on
work-life balance and diversity
November 30, 13:00-14:00
Zoom meeting
Speaker: Naoki Atsumi,
Diversity & WLB Consultant,Member of the Regional Workplace
Reform Support Team, Cabinet Office※ This Symposium is held in Japanese

Career Development Exchange Meeting
December 21, 16:00-17:30
Venue: NaDeC BASE
https://bit.ly/3gbN9LQ
Speaker: Junko Sasaki,
Chief executive director,
Nagaoka Institute of Design※ This seminar is held in Japanese
Office for Gender Equality,
Nagaoka University of Technology
e-mail: danjo@jcom.nagaokaut.ac.jp

Office for Gender Equality,
Nagaoka University of Technology
e-mail: danjo@jcom.nagaokaut.ac.jp[Edited and published by]
Section for Research Environment Diversity(Trilateral Secretariat Office) Nagaoka University of Technology
1603-1 Kamitomiokamachi, Nagaoka, Niigata 〒940-2188℡：0258‐47‐9911（extension 9911）
https://diversity.nagaokaut.ac.jp/en/

Editor Note
Starting this year, the Newsletter will be publishedtwice a year in a web-based edition. Although wewill no longer have the professional printing
service we had in the past, we will make various
efforts to enhance the content of the newsletter.

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