The 103rd Annual Meeting of The Physiological Society of Japan

Organizer: Tomoe Y Nakamura-Nishitani (Wakayama Medical University)
Chairs: Makoto Wada (Research Institute of National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities), Yukiko Himeno (The University of Osaka)

This symposium aims to examine and share within the academic community the career challenges faced by researchers of the "employment ice age generation." This generation entered the workforce during Japan's prolonged economic downturn following the burst of the bubble economy, and many struggled with unstable or fixed-term employment. In academia, the rapid expansion of graduate programs led to a sharp increase in PhD graduates, but job openings at universities and in industry did not keep pace, leaving many researchers in precarious positions. Additionally, the incorporation of national universities and reductions in public funding have further limited time for research and education. These structural issues are compounded by the overlap of job insecurity with major life events, such as marriage and childbirth, causing some to forgo starting families. In this symposium, both male and female researchers will share their experiences, especially regarding balancing childcare and career development, as well as the difficulty of maintaining research and teaching activities. The session will also present data and examples of how past proposals have influenced policy, fostering discussion on future support systems.