Japan has achieved a good quality of life and socioeconomic status thanks to the advancement of science and technology. In order to sustain this status, it is important that young people who will lead the next generation have dreams and hopes in further progress of science and technology, and that we try to steer them in that direction. However, in view of the current issue of the young people distancing themselves from science and technology, there are mounting concerns about Japan’s future. The importance of universities, research institutes and elementary, junior and senior high schools working together to enhance the public’s understanding of and interest in science and technology, is now more apparent than ever. Since 1988, Waseda University has held the “open science day”, called UniLab, during summer vacation for the general public, and we continue to work hard to develop unique activities to improve public’s understanding of science and technology.

　We at ASMeW recognize the importance of activities to improve understanding of science and technology, and have made it one of our missions to promote such activities. We are enthusiastically engaged in a range of initiatives, including the ASMeW Science Program (ASP), which involves activities such as young researchers visiting elementary and junior high schools and students being invited to ASMeW to attend lectures or experience science first-hand. We are also involved in activities in conjunction with MEXT-supported programs such as Science Partnership Program (SPP) and “Risu Daisuki” regional model project for the promotion of math and science, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science’s “Hirameki Tokimeki Science Program”, and a range of unique programs organized based on the idea of gender equality.