To promote Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), NICT established the Diversity Promotion Office in 2023.
Members from across the organization have come together to work on creating workplace environments and systems where everyone can thrive with confidence.
Here are some of the projects carried out by the members of Diversity Promotion Office and Diversity Promotion Project:
Since 2023, we have conducted an annual employee survey to gain deeper insights into individual opinions and workplace conditions related to diversity promotion and to inform the development of new initiatives. It consistently assesses "workplace atmosphere (organization culture)", and it also sets a different theme every year to better explore the reality of unconscious bias and allow us to view the survey responses from diverse perspectives, such as people at different life stages, of a different gender, nationality, disability status, LGBTQ identity, those managing childcare or family care responsibilities, and job satisfaction. Gathering this data allows us to better support the development of diversity initiatives.
Once a year, NICT holds the NICT Diversity Day, an internal event aimed at deepening staff understanding and awareness of diversity promotion. The event is held in a hybrid fashion, accepting both on-site participation at the headquarters and online participation which allows for a wide range of employees to participate. Through lectures by external experts, talk sessions aligned with the annual theme, and open discussions, it provides an opportunity for each staff member to reflect on diversity.
"NICT Diversity Day 2025" Event Report
"NICT Diversity Day 2024" Special Talk
At NICT, we are dedicated to cultivating the next generation of ICT talents in ways only a research institute can, with a particular emphasis on nurturing female professionals.
To date, we have held events for high school students, including talk sessions where students present their own research findings and engage in discussions with NICT researchers. We have also hosted talk events where female researchers share their experiences and motivations for pursuing research careers, highlighting the appeal of science-related careers and also careers as female researchers. We will continue to actively support the career development of the younger generation through these and similar initiatives.
*STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Talk session: "High school students building the future x Researchers' Information and Communication Technology -Beyond human intelligence, co-create new standards for future society.-"
Accepting trainees from the "Fukui Girls Tech Leaders" Project
Several times a year, we hold “Diversity Lunches” where we respectfully gather employees' opinions, their daily observations, experiences, and requests, to incorporate them into the promotion office's activities. These sessions involve having lunch together while freely exchanging opinions. We have held them at all locations, and at headquarters, we have also organized lunches specifically for foreign staff members. The chairman and management also participate, and each session sees active contributions from many attendees. Through these exchanges, we are advancing our efforts to be an even more diverse and employee-friendly organization.
To create a workplace where employees can work with peace of mind, we are conducting needs assessment surveys and implementing improvements to the work environment.
To date, we have made facility improvements such as installing lockers in restrooms, updating signage for the accessible restrooms, and refurbishing break rooms. Additionally, after receiving feedback on issues about its usability, we have revised the operating rules for the meditation room, working to build an environment where staff can work comfortably.
To support employees balancing work with childcare, parenting or caregiving responsibilities, we have established parenting and caregiving communities. We promote connections and mutual support among employees by organizing lunch meetings and providing information exchange platforms using internal communication tools, enabling those concerned to share experiences and information among colleagues to alleviate concerns.
To increase understanding of diversity promotion among staff, we conduct lectures, workshops, and training sessions. Through these activities, we aim to raise employees' awareness and foster a culture in our organization that respects diversity. By engaging in dialogue and practical learning, we strive to help everyone perceive diversity as a personal matter, gain new perspectives and insights, and ultimately drive change in behavior.
