The concept of DE&I is to create an environment in which a diverse workforce can maximize their abilities and work with equal opportunity, recognizing differences in race, nationality, culture, religion, creed, disability, gender, age, origin, sexual orientation and gender identity, values, and work style.
As an international research institute, promoting DE&I is a critical issue at KEK, and in June 2024, we established the following basic policy.
KEK Basic Policy on DE&I
High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) promotes cutting-edge research as an Inter-University Research Institute Corporation open to Domestic and International collaborators. In continuously developing our research activities, we believe it is crucial to respect the rights, potential, and diversity of all people who work, study, and conduct research at KEK, and to create an environment in which people with diverse attributes and characteristics* can maximize their abilities in accordance with their individual goals and objectives. We also believe that a better society can be realized when diverse people are involved in and understand science. Therefore, we contribute to the realization of a society where diversity, fairness, and inclusiveness are respected.
*characteristic: Personal characteristics, such as gender, nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, disability status, beliefs, life events, and lifestyle
Guiding Principles
- We will endeavor to improve research, education, and working environments from the perspective of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will prevent discrimination and harassment based on any attribute or characteristic*, including gender and nationality, and we will tackle issues we face on gender equality, fostering the next generation, and internationalization.
- We will raise awareness of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion to all those involved with KEK.
- We will strive to create an environment in which diverse opinions are reflected in the decision-making and management of KEK, and in which individuals can maximize their abilities.
- In order to return the value of science and technology to society at large, KEK will engage in partnerships, cooperation, and educational activities with domestic and international communities, with respect for diversity, fairness, and inclusiveness.
Initiatives for Promoting DE&I at KEK
In April 2024, KEK established the DE&I Strategy Promotion and Response Council and the DE&I Coordination Committee, and formulated the Basic Policy and Guiding Principles that serve as the foundation for promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I). Based on these efforts, and in collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders, we have advanced the development of KEK’s DE&I promotion framework and launched the DE&I Office in October 2025.
The DE&I Office operates under the DE&I Strategy Committee—the decision-making body established through the integration and further development of the DE&I Strategy Promotion and Response Council and the DE&I Coordination Committee. The Office works to improve the research and workplace environment and promote institutional development, and engages in policy recommendations, research and analysis, and information dissemination.
In addition, the Gender Equality Group, the Internationalization Support Group, and the Disability Support Group work closely with internal and external stakeholders, sharing challenges and incorporating feedback, while advancing concrete initiatives.
DE&I Promotion Framework at KEK
Groups
Promotion of Gender Equality
Childcare Support
KEK provides a range of support systems, including childcare leave, a telework system, a flextime system, and subsidies for babysitting services, to help employees balance childcare and work.
We are committed to creating a work environment that enables individuals to continue their careers flexibly, in accordance with their life stages and career development.
Support for Integration of Work and Childcare
Family Care Support
KEK provides a range of support systems, including family care leave, a telework system, a flextime system to help employees balance work and family care.
We promote flexible working arrangements to enable individuals to successfully combine employment with family care responsibilities.
Support for Integration Work and Family Care
Women Thriving at KEK
At KEK, women are actively contributing across a wide range of fields, including cutting-edge research, technical support for experiments, and science communication. Each plays a vital role in advancing KEK’s activities.
Women at KEK Accelerating the Future
Support for Early-Career Researchers
KEK supports the career development of early- and mid-career women researchers in the Asia-Pacific region by providing opportunities to engage in collaborative research at Japan’s leading research facilities and within its advanced research environment.
Through the Athena Program (Program for Inviting Young Overseas Women Researchers), KEK also fosters the development of long-term international research collaborations.
Support for Girls’ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Career
KEK provides opportunities for junior and senior high school girls to experience the appeal of science and to explore future career paths that suit their interests and aspirations.
Through programs such as the TYL Science Camp for Female High School Students, which offers hands-on activities and interaction with researchers, and the STEM Girls Mini Tour, which combines facility visits with workshops, participants can gain a closer understanding of the world of science.
Through these initiatives, KEK aims to broaden future career options and contribute to the development of the next generation of talent.
TYL Science Camp for Female High School Students
KEK Open House: STEM Girls Mini Tour (Japanese)
Support for Internationalization
International collaborative research projects such as the Belle II and T2K experiments bring together research institutions from around the world, and KEK welcomes many researchers each year. In addition, approximately 12% of researchers affiliated with KEK are from overseas, playing important roles in education and research and development.
The Internationalization Support Group is committed, from a DE&I perspective, to enhancing research support and retention support so that such diverse talent can fully realize their potential.
Connecting the world, advancing the future—researchers at KEK
Support for Persons with Disabilities
KEK is committed to creating a work environment in which employees with disabilities can work with confidence and is strengthening its support systems. This includes consultation services provided by specialized staff and support for workplace retention. In addition, KEK collaborates with schools for special needs education (Tokubetsu Shien Gakkou) to create employment opportunities through workplace training programs.
Furthermore, the Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies (IPNS) has been promoting a Braille Book Project since spring 2022. This initiative was launched with the aim of making the institute’s research on the origins of the universe and matter accessible to a wider audience, including people with visual impairments, and to foster a broader interest in physics.
Braille Book Project Portal Page
Related Pages
2026/06/02 Prevention of Harassment in Joint Research Experiments
2026/02/12 Raising awareness of “unconscious bias” in personnel selection
2024/10/09 Request for comments on Draft of Code of Conduct (CoC)
2024/07/12 KEK has established its basic policy and action guidelines regarding DE&I
TYL Science Camp for Female High School Students
Athena Program
Braille Book Project Portal Page
KEK Tsukuba Campus Users Office
J-PARC Center Users Office