Kaoru Sonoda Kaoru Sonoda

Senior Assistant Professor, Faculty of Business and Commerce, Keio University *Profile is at the time of the award.

2026IncubateHumanities & Sociology

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Research topics: An empirical study for intersectionality of individual social identities on their employment, promotion and assessment within firms

Keyword

Summary: This research examines how the nature and attributes of minorities, who are prone to becoming marginalized, are multifacetedly determined by social identities such as gender, nationality, and disability status. While previous studies on minorities have focused on a single category, interest in intersectionality has grown in recent years. However, Japanese companies have made little progress in disclosing data on minority employment, so this aspect has been largely unexplored. To change this situation and construct Japanese society where diverse talents can thrive, we empirically examine how the intersectionality of minority categories and social identities impacts employment discrimination and inequality.

Message

Disclosing information on minority employment may be difficult due to its highly confidential and sensitive nature. However, by collaborating to build, disclose, and analyze HR data on minority employment, Japanese companies can obtain more reliable and secure evidence to reflect on their practices, while researchers can systematically examine the current situation in Japanese society. Using this grant, we aim to play an active role in advancing constructive collaboration among companies, researchers, and society, thereby contributing to progress in this field. We would greatly appreciate your understanding and support.