# Center for Promotion of Gender Equality, University of Shizuoka

> research institute in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

**Wikidata**: [Q127413827](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q127413827)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/center-for-promotion-of-gender-equality-university-of-shizuoka

## Summary

The Center for Promotion of Gender Equality, University of Shizuoka is a research institute established in July 2008 within the Shizuoka Prefectural University Corporation, dedicated to advancing gender equality initiatives at the University of Shizuoka in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The center serves as the primary organizational body for promoting co-ed participation and gender equality across the university campus, operating from facilities located at 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture. As part of the University of Shizuoka, the center contributes to the institution's broader mission of fostering inclusive academic environments while conducting research and outreach activities related to gender equality in higher education.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: 静岡県立大学男女共同参画推進センター (Shizuoka Prefectural University Gender Equality Promotion Center)
- **Kana Name**: しずおかけんりつだいがくだんじょきょうどうさんかくすいしんセンター
- **Entity Type**: Research institute
- **Country**: Japan
- **Location**: Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
- **Street Address**: 静岡県静岡市駿河区谷田52番1号 (52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka-ken)
- **Parent Organization**: University of Shizuoka
- **Maintaining Organization**: Shizuoka Prefectural University Corporation
- **Inception Date**: July 2008 (2008-07-00)
- **Website**: http://cpge.u-shizuoka-ken.ac.jp/
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 34.99457436111111, Longitude 138.44578638888888
- **Wikidata Description**: research institute in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

## FAQs

### Q: What is the primary function of the Center for Promotion of Gender Equality, University of Shizuoka?

A: The center functions as a dedicated research institute within the University of Shizuoka, focusing on promoting gender equality and co-ed participation throughout the university community. It conducts research on gender-related issues in higher education while implementing practical initiatives to create a more inclusive campus environment.

### Q: When was the Center for Promotion of Gender Equality established?

A: The center was established in July 2008, making it a relatively recent addition to the University of Shizuoka's institutional infrastructure. Its creation reflects a growing commitment to gender equality within Japanese higher education institutions during that period.

### Q: Where is the Center for Promotion of Gender Equality located?

A: The center is located at 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka-ken, Japan, within the University of Shizuoka campus. The geographic coordinates are 34.99457436111111 latitude and 138.44578638888888 longitude.

### Q: What organization oversees the Center for Promotion of Gender Equality?

A: The center operates under the University of Shizuoka and is maintained by the Shizuoka Prefectural University Corporation, the administrative body overseeing the prefectural university system in Shizuoka.

### Q: How does this center differ from a typical university department?

A: As a research institute, the center exists specifically to generate new knowledge and implement practical programs related to gender equality, distinct from academic departments that primarily focus on teaching. The center combines research functions with outreach and promotion activities, serving both scholarly and institutional purposes.

## Why It Matters

The Center for Promotion of Gender Equality, University of Shizuoka represents an important institutional commitment to addressing gender disparities within Japanese higher education. Japan has historically faced challenges regarding gender equality in academic and professional settings, and university-based research centers like this one play a critical role in advancing both scholarly understanding and practical solutions. The center's existence signals the University of Shizuoka's recognition that gender equality is not merely an administrative concern but a subject requiring dedicated research and systematic promotion efforts.

The center matters because it provides a structured, institutional framework for addressing gender-related issues that might otherwise receive only superficial attention within university governance. By establishing a dedicated research institute, the university creates space for sustained inquiry into gender dynamics in academia, the development of evidence-based policies, and the implementation of programs that directly benefit students, faculty, and staff. The center's location in Shizuoka Prefecture also positions it to address regional specificities in gender equality challenges, contributing to broader national efforts while tailoring approaches to local contexts.

Furthermore, the center serves as a model for other Japanese universities considering similar initiatives. The establishment of dedicated gender equality promotion centers within higher education institutions reflects a broader trend in Japanese academia toward institutionalizing gender equality efforts, moving beyond voluntary or ad hoc approaches to create permanent, funded organizational structures with clear mandates. This institutionalization is essential for creating lasting change in university cultures and climates.

## Notable For

- **Dedicated Research Focus**: One of the few Japanese university centers specifically established as a research institute dedicated to gender equality promotion, combining scholarly research with practical implementation
- **Institutional Longevity**: Operating since 2008, representing over a decade and a half of continuous commitment to gender equality at the University of Shizuoka
- **Prefectural University System**: Part of the Shizuoka Prefectural University Corporation, representing gender equality initiatives within the public university system
- **Comprehensive Mission**: Addresses both research generation and practical promotion of gender equality, distinguishing it from purely academic departments or purely administrative offices
- **Campus Integration**: Located within the University of Shizuoka campus, enabling direct engagement with students, faculty, and staff

## Body

### Institutional Context and Establishment

The Center for Promotion of Gender Equality, University of Shizuoka was established in July 2008 as part of a broader movement within Japanese higher education to institutionalize gender equality initiatives. The center operates under the umbrella of the Shizuoka Prefectural University Corporation, the administrative body responsible for managing prefectural universities in Shizuoka Prefecture. This institutional positioning provides the center with stable funding and institutional support while connecting it to the broader network of prefectural universities in Japan.

The decision to establish the center as a research institute—rather than simply creating an administrative office or committee—reflects the University of Shizuoka's commitment to approaching gender equality through systematic investigation and evidence-based practices. This research-oriented approach distinguishes the center from simpler administrative bodies and ensures that its activities are grounded in scholarly understanding of gender dynamics in higher education.

### Geographic and Physical Location

The center is situated on the University of Shizuoka campus located in Shizuoka City, the capital of Shizuoka Prefecture on the Pacific coast of central Japan. The specific address is 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka-ken, placing the center in the Suruga district of the city. The geographic coordinates of 34.99457436111111 latitude and 138.44578638888888 longitude situate the campus in the eastern portion of Shizuoka Prefecture, relatively close to the prefectural border with the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Shizuoka City serves as a significant urban center in central Japan, home to approximately 700,000 residents. The University of Shizuoka's campus provides a setting that combines urban accessibility with the environmental benefits of the surrounding region, which includes Mount Fuji to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The center's location within this context provides opportunities for engagement with the broader Shizuoka community while serving the specific needs of the university population.

### Organizational Structure and Administration

The center operates as a research institute within the University of Shizuoka's organizational structure. This classification means that the center exists primarily to conduct research and promote gender equality initiatives, rather than to provide instruction or grant degrees. The center is maintained by the Shizuoka Prefectural University Corporation, which oversees the administrative, financial, and strategic direction of prefectural universities in Shizuoka.

The Japanese name of the center—静岡県立大学男女共同参画推進センター—translates directly to "Shizuoka Prefectural University Gender Equality Promotion Center." This name reflects the center's dual mission of promoting "男女共同参画" (gender equality or co-ed participation) while also serving as a "センター" (center) for research and coordination. The kana spelling "しずおかけんりつだいがくだんじょきょうどうさんかくすいしんセンター" provides the phonetic rendering of the Japanese name for search and reference purposes.

### Functions and Activities

As a research institute dedicated to gender equality promotion, the center engages in multiple activities that serve both scholarly and practical purposes. These activities typically include conducting research on gender-related issues in higher education, developing and implementing programs to promote gender equality on campus, providing resources and support for students and faculty regarding gender issues, and collaborating with other institutions and organizations working on gender equality in Japan and internationally.

The research function is particularly important, as it ensures that the center's promotional activities are informed by systematic investigation rather than assumptions. Research topics may include gender disparities in academic achievement and career progression, workplace climate and culture related to gender, policies and practices that promote or hinder gender equality, and comparative studies with other Japanese and international universities.

The promotional function involves translating research findings into practical programs and initiatives. These may include training sessions for faculty and staff, awareness campaigns for students, policy recommendations for university administration, and support services for members of the university community facing gender-related challenges.

### Relationship to Parent Institution

The center's relationship with the University of Shizuoka is central to its identity and function. The University of Shizuoka itself is a prefectural university established to serve the educational and research needs of Shizuoka Prefecture. As part of this institution, the center contributes to the university's broader mission of providing high-quality higher education while also advancing knowledge through research.

The University of Shizuoka comprises multiple faculties and graduate schools, offering programs in fields including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and professional studies. The center's position within this diverse academic environment provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and ensures that gender equality perspectives can be integrated across various fields of study and administrative functions.

### Significance in Japanese Higher Education

The establishment of the Center for Promotion of Gender Equality reflects broader trends in Japanese higher education regarding gender equality. Japanese universities have faced increasing pressure to address gender disparities in academic hiring, promotion, and leadership, as well as to create more inclusive campus environments for students. The Japanese government has also promoted gender equality initiatives through various policy frameworks, encouraging universities to establish dedicated structures for addressing these issues.

Research institutes like this center play an important role in this landscape by providing institutional infrastructure for sustained attention to gender equality. Unlike voluntary committees or ad hoc initiatives, a formally established research institute with dedicated staff and budget can maintain continuous focus on gender equality issues and develop long-term programs rather than responding only to immediate concerns.

The center also contributes to the regional dimension of gender equality in Japanese higher education. Shizuoka Prefecture, while not among Japan's largest prefectures, is home to a significant population and economy. The center's work helps ensure that gender equality initiatives reach beyond major metropolitan areas like Tokyo and Osaka, addressing the specific needs and contexts of regional universities.

### Historical Context

The center's establishment in 2008 occurred during a period of increased attention to gender equality in Japanese society and academia. The early 2000s saw growing awareness of issues including the underrepresentation of women in academic positions, work-life balance challenges for researchers, and the need for institutional change to create more inclusive environments. Japanese universities began establishing gender equality offices, centers, and committees during this period, part of a broader movement toward institutionalizing diversity and inclusion efforts.

The center's location in Shizuoka also reflects the prefecture's commitment to higher education and social progress. Shizuoka Prefecture has supported the development of its prefectural university system as a way to provide accessible higher education for residents while contributing to regional development. The establishment of a dedicated gender equality center within this system demonstrates the prefecture's recognition that gender equality is an important component of educational quality and social advancement.