As part of its diversity initiatives, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) held the fourth awards ceremony for the Brilliant Female Researcher Award (Jun Ashida Award) (sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, with cooperation from Jun Ashida) at the Miraikan, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. The awards recognize female researchers and institutions that promote the activities of female researchers and are conducting excellent research that contributes to a sustainable society and future.

After a rigorous screening process by the committee, the award was presented to Ms. Yasuka Toda, a special lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Meiji University, and she was presented with a commemorative trophy and a prize of 1 million yen from the Ashida Fund.

Additionally, the "Shining Female Researcher Award (Japan Science and Technology Agency President's Award)" was awarded to Kaori Sugihara, lecturer at the University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science/Graduate School of Engineering, and the "Shining Female Researcher Promotion Award (Jun Ashida Award)" was awarded to Tohoku University (President Hideo Ohno), a national university corporation.

Photo (top): From left: Tae Ashida, Yasuka Toda, Kaori Sugihara, Noriko Osumi (Vice President, Tohoku University) (titles omitted)