[News Summary] Why is there such a shortage of ‘STEM talent’? — Thinking through MEXT’s new policy｜Dr.E

Many of you have likely seen the phrase ‘shortage of STEM talent’ in the news. As fields like semiconductors, generative AI, and decarbonization develop rapidly, this ‘STEM talent shortage’ has long been discussed as a challenge in Japan.
Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) released the ‘Basic Policy on Science and Technology Personnel in the New Era (Draft)’ on June 10, 2026. Based on this news, I would like to look at how the government is thinking about cultivating STEM talent.
■ Why is ‘STEM talent’ in such high demand?
This basic policy is composed of three main pillars: ‘Promoting the cultivation and active participation of diverse science and technology personnel,’ ‘Cultivating science and technology personnel at each stage of education,’ and ‘Promoting reform of systems and structures related to science and technology personnel’—these are the three.
In other words, it is clear that MEXT views the issue of STEM talent not as a matter of ‘simply increasing the numbers,’ but as a need to review the very mechanism of consistent cultivation from elementary and junior high school students to working adults.
■ What is the ‘STELLA Program’?
One of the pillars of the specific measures is the expansion of the ‘STELLA Program’ for students with excellent aptitude in science and mathematics. While this is an initiative that has been implemented in the past, this time, a policy was presented to increase the number of centers themselves, taking into account the ‘ease of travel’ to the cultivation centers.
Specifically, it states that at least one cultivation center for elementary and junior high school students will be established in each prefecture, and one for high school students will be established for every two prefectures. At the same time, the program types will be reorganized into ‘organization-to-organization’ and ‘talent discovery and cultivation’ types. One can read the intention to ensure that there is no difference in opportunities for STEM education based on whether one lives in a rural area or not.
■ The point that ‘diversity’ is emphasized as well as ‘quantity’
Another point to note is the goal of expanding the number of SSH (Super Science High School) designated schools to 250, which accounts for about 5% of high schools nationwide. At the same time, support for participation in international science and technology contests, promotion of participation in the ‘Science Koshien,’ encouragement for female junior and senior high school students to choose STEM career paths, enrichment of university engineering education, and promotion of the active participation of female researchers are also included.
When talking about STEM talent, discussions tend to focus on ‘numbers,’ but there should not be biases in opportunities to pursue STEM fields based on gender or region—I feel that such consideration for ‘diversity’ is also reflected in this policy.
■ However, reasons why we cannot rejoice unconditionally
On the other hand, how much effect these policies will actually have is still unknown. Even if the number of cultivation centers is increased, it will be meaningless if the children who attend them do not have interest or motivation, and whether the personnel and budget for teaching are sufficiently secured is also an important point of contention. It can be said that the cultivation of STEM talent is a theme that does not produce results immediately in a few years and needs to be continuously verified over the long term.
Nevertheless, the fact that a policy that goes a step further than before, such as developing centers for each prefecture and supporting female students, has been presented may itself be a trigger for positive change in the field of education. It might be a good idea for us to rethink how to create an environment where the children around us can become interested in STEM fields.
【Source】
Education Industry News ‘ReseEd’
Article Title: Expanding math and science education centers for the cultivation of science and technology personnel… MEXT
Author: Naomi Okuyama
Publication Date: June 10, 2026
#STEMtalent #ScienceAndTechnologyPersonnel #EducationNews #MEXT #STEMeducation #CareerPath
URL: https://reseed.resemom.jp/article/2026/06/10/13430.html