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In promoting S&T to make Japan into the nation it aims to become, we must adopt and implement S &T policies formed on the basis of how they relate to society. As S&T holds true value only i f accepted by society, society's understanding, judgment, and acceptance of S&T are crucial. This is a point to be recognized and strived not only by the natural scientists and technological ex perts, but by experts in the social sciences and humanities as well.
(1) Communication between S&T and society |
Bearing in mind the concept of "S&T in and for society," we must establish fundamental forms of interactive communication between S&T and society.First of all, society should be provided with accurate information on the present status of S&T, and the anticipated status of S&T in the future. For this to be effective, schools and public education will have to equip society with the capacity to receive and assimilate this type of information. And as S&T advances and grows more complex, experts in S&T fields will be responsible for routinely briefing society on the changes in S&T underway, elucidating these changes for the public as clearly and accessibly as possible.
To make difficult scientific and technical concepts accessible to the laypersons in society, the S&T experts will have to rely on communicators and interpreters as mediums. Indeed, S&T experts, professional commentators, and journalists will share the obligation not only to introduce society to the significance and salient features of the latest S&T, but to propagate scientific knowledge and ways of thinking throughout society as well. It will also be necessary to increase opportunities and widen channels for society to critique S&T and voice its expectations of what S&T should deliver; and likewise, S&T experts will have to respond thereto seriously and appropriately.
Experts in social sciences and humanities should take an interest in S&T, as well as study and remark on the relationship between S&T and society. They should also play an important role in th e flow of interactive communication, wherein the opinions and demands of society are fed back accurat ely to S&T. Social sciences and humanities in Japan have not adequately addressed such issues in the past. Henceforth, these sciences should be developed in concordance with the idea of "S& T in and for society," and active intermediation works stemming from research results should be initiated.
These are background conditions requisite for realizing a society in which ordinary people can make scientific, reasonable, and independent judgment on matters of S&T, as well as on society in gen eral.
(2) Return of R&D results to society through industrial activity |
In considering the relationship between S&T and society, another important point to keep in min d is the need to apply R&D results to society practically. Conventionally, R&D results contri bute to people's lives and national economy in the form of available products and services produ ced by industrial technologies. Society reaps the benefits of S&T by generating S&T achieveme nts, publicizing them, accumulating them, applying them to industrial technologies, and using them. I n light of the importance of this process, industrial technologies should be strengthened by promotin g closer industry-academia-government collaboration and pursuing R&D systems that create excellen t results.
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