Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > WHITE PAPER ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY2003 > Part3 3.3 3.3.5 3.3.5.2

  In order to promote science and technology,it is necessary to deepen the understanding of science and technology by the citizens.For this reason,efforts are being made to implement various events related to science and technology,to open up re-search institutes to the public,and to enhance the functions of museums,science centers.In addition,efforts are being made to expand the opportunities for disseminating science and technology in an understandable manner,using the media and other means.Furthermore,at the regional level,efforts are being made to foster and secure personnel who will shoulder the task of describing science and technology-related matters in an understandable manner and conveying to experts involved in science and technology the science and technology-related opinions of regional citizens.

  It is critical to provide diverse opportunities for the citizens and youth in particular to deepen their familiarity with science and technology,in order to nurture richly creative and independent science and technology-oriented personnel that possess a passion and vision for science and technology,and create a societal environment that embraces a familiarity and strong interest in science and technology.

  The Japan Science and Technology Agency(JST)is engaged in production of visual programs for presentation on the"Science Channel,"which transmits information to the public about science and technology via CS(Communications Satellite)broadcasting and cable TV.JST also uses the latest computer technology to provide science and technology information through a"Virtual Science Center"where people can experience science and technology virtually.

  In FY2002,the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science and Technology(MEXT)implemented a variety of promotion activities,including broadcast of television and radio programs;pro-duction,and distribution of commercials;publications;and the sponsoring of various seminars related to science and technology.During commemorative weeks such as the43rd"Science and Technology Week,"the39th"Atomic Energy Day,"and the10th"Space Day,"MEXT implemented various nationwide events in cooperation with affiliated organizations.In addition,MEXT conducted PR activities by government publicity through television and radio programs.Approximately900events were held during the Science and Technology Week in FY2002 including the open of research facilities to the general public,science and technology experiment classrooms,and public lectures.These events were held at research facilities,science museums and other institutions across the country,with the cooperation of various science and technology-related organizations.

  In FY2001,the"Children's Dream Fund,"established by the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center,commenced providing support for children's science and technology activities and other hands-on activities conducted by private-sector groups.

  In addition,the National Science Museum registers"Science Volunteers"who can lend a hand as lecturers or give instruction in experiments at events or exhibitions related to science and technology for young people in response to requests from the sponsors.That information is then pro-vided over the Internet.

  Additionally,the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science and Technology implements pre-admission familiarization programs at universities and colleges of technology,in order to share information with youths and society concerning the enjoyment of science and engineering-related fields.

  Increasing numbers of university research institutes and inter-university research institutes are opening their doors to the public by introducing their research activities,holding lectures,and other meetings.For example,the National Astronomical Observatory holds"stargazing meetings"featuring the50cm"Telescope for Public Education and Outreach."These meetings are held twice a month for general public and youths.

  In addition,the Institute of Industrial Science(IIS),University of Tokyo offers tours for the general public and middle and high school students in particular,as well as exhibitions of research exchanges between industry and academia.These are just two examples of efforts to create universities and research institutes that are open to the public,through concentrated measures on the part of organizations to open up their facilities to the public,carry out exhibitions,etc.

  To provide youth with various opportunities to experience the enjoyment of space and the wonders of the earth,the National Space Development Agency of Japan(NASDA)implements the"Cosmic College"and a variety of other hands-on other learning events.The Cosmic College is conducted twice per year in the spring and summer,in co-operation with the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science(ISAS)of the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science and Technology.

  Furthermore,the Ministry of Agriculture,Forestry and Fisheries has established the Tsukuba Agriculture Research Hall,which provides exhibits on up-to-date results and achievements from agriculture,forestry,and fisheries technologies,with the aim of promotion and awareness.The Ministry also established the Tama Forest Science Garden at the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute,which provides exhibits on forestry science.

  In March2002,the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science and Technology issued the Children's Fourth White Paper on Science and Technology.This book is based on the Science and Technology White Paper,an annual report on the promotion of science and technology,and is targeted at children and students,with the aim of serving as a trigger for creating interest in science and technology.The book is distributed to elementary schools across the country,prefectural and district boards of education,prefectural and district libraries,science centers,general museums and other institutions.This book has been published on an annual basis since FY1999.

  In an effort to respond to demands and proposals from the public on genetically engineered crops,the Ministry of Agriculture,Forestry and Fisheries has been sponsoring public conferences since FY2000.The Ministry is implementing studies and research that draw upon a"Public Proposal"prepared by members of the general public who participated in the"Conference for Public Consideration of Genetically Engineered Crops"held in FY2002.

  In addition to promotion and awareness activities,an effective measure for promoting science and technology is to encourage research and development through recognition for inventions and awards for outstanding service in science and technology.

  For this reason,the Ministry implements a number of awards including awards for persons of scientific and technological merits(20recipients in FY2002),awards for persons of scientific and technological research merits(38recipients),a-wards for persons of distinguished services to the promotion of science and technology(23recipients),awards for persons of distinguished services to enlightening people on science and technology(4recipients),awards for persons who have proposed technical ideas in relation to their job(963recipients),awards for schools for services in creative education(31recipients).

  In order to address the decreasing interest in industrial technology and the distant trend away from science and technology in the younger generation,since FY1993,the Ministry of Economy,Trade and Industry has been carrying out fact-finding surveys on innovations in industrial technology and other programs by evaluating and preserving industrial technologies,in order to ensure that these technologies are passed on to the very youth who will be responsible for the future.As a part of this effort,the Ministry supported the"Industrial Technology History Exhibition:Technofesta21"project,held in August1997as a joint effort among industry,academia,and the government.Furthermore,since1993,the Ministry has implemented a"Dream Chemistry21"campaign that consists of university chemistry experiments and other activities,with the aim of passing on chemistry technology to the younger generation that will lead the21st century.

  The Policy Subcommittee of the Council for Science and Technology(CST)sponsored a"Meeting to Consider Society and Science&Technology in the21st Century"attended by individuals employed in a broad range of fields.The results of this event were summarized in a report completed in November2000,which focuses on a"Code of Conduct and Responsibility to Society for Persons involved in Science and Technology,"and sets forth that"As group-oriented societal activities,science and technology are a part of society,and must be questioned in terms of their positioning within society and their societal value,not only based on the public support they receives in the form of budgets allocated from the national government and society,but also based on their effect and potential on all aspects of people's daily lives."The report further points out the"need to establish a societal system that readily allows for science engineers to carry out a code of conduct and to carry out their responsibilities,"and the extremely critical issues are ethics education and strict implementation of safety countermeasures by engineers."