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2. The Science and Technology Basic Plan (2001-2005) (unofficial version)(decided by the Government of J apan on March 30, 2001)

Introduction

Chapter 1 Basic Concepts

1. Circumstances Relating to S&T

(1) A look back at the 20th century
(2) Outlook for the 21st century

2. A Vision of Japan and Concepts of S&T Policy

(1) A nation that contributes to the world by creating and using scientific knowledge
(2) An internationally competitive nation capable of sustainable development
(3) A safe, secure nation where people enjoy a high quality of life

3. Comprehensive and Strategic S&T Policies

4. Building New Relationships between S&T and Society

(1) Communication between S&T and society
(2) Return of R&D results to society through industrial activity

5. Achievements and Problems of the First Science and Technology Basic Plan

6. Basic Concepts for S&T Promotion

(1) Basic Policies
(2) Increase of governmental R&D expenditure and effective/efficient resource allocation


Chapter 2 Important Policies

1. Strategic Prioritization in S&T

1. Promotion of Basic Research

2. Prioritization of R&D on national/social issues

(1) Life sciences
(2) Information and Communication Technologies
(3) Environmental sciences
(4) Nanotechnology and materials
(5) Energy
(6) Manufacturing technology
(7) Infrastructure
(8) Frontier

3. Focus on emerging fields

2. S&T system reforms

1. R&D system reforms

(1) Building an R&D system that generates excellent results

1) Establishment of a competitive R&D environment
2) Mobilization of human resources using fixed-term appointments
3) Independence of young researchers
4) Reform of evaluation systems
5) Flexible, effective, and efficient management of R&D systems
6) Utilization of qualified persons and development of a variety of career paths
7) Realization of creative R&D systems

(2) Promotion and reform of R&D in major organizations

1) Universities and other academic institutions
2) National research institutes and other institutes
3) Private companies


2. Reinforcement of industrial technology and reform of industry-academia-government collaboration

(1) Reform of systems of information distribution and human resource exchange
(2) Improvement of environment of technological transfer from public research organizations to indust ry
(3) Promoting commercialization of the R&D results of public research organizations
(4) Environment for activating high-technological venture enterprises

3. Regional improvement of the S&T Promotion environment

(1) Establishment of regional "intellectual clusters"
(2) Implementation of regional S&T policies

4. S&T human resource development and S&T educational reforms

(1) Education of researchers and engineers, and reform of universities and other institutions
(2) Training and securing engineers

5. Establishment of interactive channels between S&T activities and society

(1) Promotion of S&T learning
(2) Establishment of channels toward society

6. Ethics and responsibility to society on S&T

(1) Bioethics
(2) Ethics of researchers and engineers
(3) Accountability and risk management

7. Maintenance of infrastructure for S&T promotion

(1) Improvement of facilities and equipment
(2) Enrichment of research assistance
(3) Improvement of intellectual infrastructure
(4) Enrichment and standardization of intellectual property rights
(5) Maintenance of the research-informational infrastructure
(6) Maintenance of the manufacturing infrastructure
(7) Promotion of academic society activities


3. Internationalization of S&T activities

1. Initiatives in International Cooperation
2. Enhancement of International Information Dissemination
3. Internationalization of Domestic Research Environments


Chapter 3 Missions of the CSTP

1. Basic steering of S&T Policies
2. Promotion of Research and Development in Prioritized Areas
3. Policy on Resource Allocation
4. Promotion of Nationally Important Projects
5. Settlement of National Guidelines on Important Policies
6. Evaluation
7. Follow-up of the Basic Plan

Introduction

  During the last decade of the 20th century, the world underwent a great transition. Now that the Co ld War is behind us, all but a few societies, those living in hotspots of regional conflict, are enjo ying peaceful lives on a global level. The cross border flows of people, goods, information, and capi tal continue to accelerate, adding momentum to the trend we call globalization. In turn, economic com petition is intensifying among advanced countries, spawning an era of mega-competition. As bases for this competition, IT and biotechnologies have advanced remarkably. Governments that recognize the imp ortance of these and other new fields are making great efforts to promote Science & Technology (S &T).

  Over the last decade, as these changes transpired globally, Japan has been ensnared in its first se rious depression since World War II. Private companies, which used to conduct 80 percent of all Resea rch and Development (R&D) in Japan, are no longer able to invest nearly as much in R&D as the y once did. R&D facilities in universities and national research institutes are long overdue for renewal, and the system for collaboration among industry, academia, and government has been working i nefficiently and ineffectively. The effects on Japan's S&T level and industrial competitiven ess are a matter of growing concern. To overcome these debilities and put Japan back on track to beco ming an advanced science- and technology-oriented nation, the government of Japan enacted the Science and Technology Basic Law in 1995. In 1996, based on the law, the first Science and Technology Basic Plan was adopted to drastically improve the S&T environment in Japan, to strengthen Japan's R&D capability, and to return R&D results smoothly to society. In the last five years, the ef fects of the First Basic Plan have wrought steady improvement in Japan's R&D. Notwithstandin g, industrial competitiveness has yet to recover its former robustness, and future economic growth ho lds less promise in today's 'low-birth-rate society.' There is all the more reason to reinforce industrial technologies that will lead new industries and restore strong international comp etitiveness.

  As we enter the new century, S&T in Japan is expected to undergo new developments. In numerous fast-growing fields, the United States and European countries maintain higher levels of R&D than Japan. To stay competitive, Japan must match and even exceed these levels in terms of R&D results . Japan must elevate its basic research, the source of new knowledge, as well as establish an environ ment in which internationally respectable achievements will flourish. In R&D geared to respond to social and economic needs, sectors of industry, academia, and government must remove the invisible w alls that divide them and set up an environment for practical cooperation. Creative young researchers must be set in an environment in which they can actualize their talents and put them to full use. Fu rther, ongoing communication will have to be maintained between S&T and society, to ensure that S &T meets society's expectations.

  This year, the government of Japan has been reorganized. Among many other changes, several major na tional research institutes have been transformed into independent administrative institutions this ye ar, and the government has newly established the Council for Science and Technology Policy ('CST P' hereinafter) and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. A major part of the reform has been the reform of universities, institutions that play a great role in S& T. National universities are also deliberating whether to reestablish themselves as independent admin istrative institutes, and further reforms are expected. From now on, the CSTP will act as a control t ower and direct the multifold processes S&T policy implementation. In addition to formulating pro motion strategies on prioritized areas, principles of resource allocation, and guidelines for project evaluation, the council will strive to promote S&T activities of a quality high enough to contri bute to the development of the world.

  In keeping with the view that S&T in the 21st century, the "century of knowledge," sh ould generate new knowledge, contribute to sustainable development for both people's lives and t he economic activities in Japan, as well as contribute to the world, the first chapter of this docume nt presents basic concepts that Japan should adopt, a vision that this country should aspire towards, and basic principles by which such goals can be achieved. The second chapter, in line with the first , demonstrates basic policies concentrating on prioritized / strategic R&D promotion and S&T system reform. The third chapter describes missions to be undertaken by the CSTP to promote this basic plan.


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