(4)The Reorganization of the Structure of Scientific Research in the Postwar Period

The flash of the atomic bomb dropped in Japan in August,1945 demonstrated that the power of science had become so great as to determine not only the victory or defeat of a nation but the very destiny of mankind. The nation recognized that defeat had been due, in part, to inadequate scientific achievements, and thus that peaceful recovery depended on scientific development. In January, 1949, the Science Council of Japan(Nihon Gakujutsu Kaigi) was founded, and the importance attached to science at that time is embodied in the preamble to the Science Council of Japan Law, wherein it states: "Sciences the foundation of a cultured country."

In actuality, Japan lagged far behind other advanced countries in its level of scientific and technological achievement as a result of the prolonged blockade of scientific materials into Japan. Moreover, the social economy was in a state of turmoil, which, in combination with the extreme shortage of materials in the early postwar years, made it difficult to pursue meaningful research. The continued existence of some of the research institutes was uncertain.

Not until after the effectuation of the Peace Treaty in 1952 did Japanese academic circles renew their activity in earnest. The International Geophysical Year (IGY), which commenced111 July, 1957, provided a strong stimulus for international exchange and cooperation, and in the strengthened domestic research. The period since that time has been one of rapid development with a sharp increase in the number of persons engaged in research. The rapid expansion of the university system has been especially influential in this development. The number of universities in 1971 is more than eight times that of the universities of the prewar period, and the number of scholars teaching and conducting research at the new universities has grown enormously. Furthermore, graduate schools have been established in many of the new universities and the number of students pursuing master's and doctor's courses has steadily increased in recent years.

Institutes that are affiliated with universities exist in much greater numbers than before the war. Many were founded to undertake large-scale research which could not be handled by existing organizations, research which extended into new scientific areas, research which necessitated participation by scientists in a number of fields, and the like. Many researcher5at such institutes are engaged in theoretical studies. In addition to these institutes which are affiliated exclusively with one national university, a noteworthy feature of the postwar period has been the establishment of joint research facilities which are affiliated with one national university, but are used and managed for the researchers of a number of national universities. The first of this kind were the Cosmic Ray Laboratory founded at Tokyo University in July, 1953, and the Research Institute for Fundamental Physics set up at Kyoto University at the same time. There are thirteen of these institutes in 1971.

As it became obvious that basic research involving large scale equipment could not be adequately conducted in the more traditional types of research institutes, it was decided that special research facilities under the direct control of the Ministry of Education should be developed and. opened for the use of researchers of a number of national universities. The first national institute of this kind was the National Laboratory for Higher Energy Physics set up at the Tsukuba Research and Education City in April, 1971. Additional facilities of this kind are planned for the future, not only to enable nationwide access to sophisticated modem machines and equipment but also to promote joint research among a number of fields.

Governmental subsidization of research expenses for studies conducted at these various types of research institutes has increased substantially. The allocation of government scientific research grants is conducted in terms of specific types of study projects, i.e. special project research, cooperative re-search, scientific research, developmental research, field research abroad, etc. In the case of important basic research, a plan for a new research system is now being prepared.

The postwar development of academic research is closely linked to the new type of educational administration which has been created. Institutes or organizations in the scientific fields which were founded before this period have also been reorganized to comply with the new structure. For example, the Japan Academy (until December, 1947, the Imperial Academy), which had long served as the representative body for learned circles, was reconstituted in April, 1956, with the enforcement of the Japan Academy Law. The nucleus of the new structure is the Science Council of Japan, established in 1949, as already stated, as a step toward creating a democratic base for science in the postwar period. The Council, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's Office, is composed of members elected by scientists throughout the country. Its role is to give advice on the administration of scientific matters based on the plans and experience of active scientists. In this respect, the Council's advice often bears on the administration of scientific studies performed by the Ministry of Education.

Insofar as technological development is concerned, the Science and Technology Agency, set up as an external agency of the Prime Minister's Office in May, 1956, serves as a coordinator. The Agency has taken on responsibility for planning and drafting basic policies for science and technology and for coordinating the administering business in these fields. Therefore from an administrative point of view, the Ministry of Education no longer functions as the sole center of scientific promotion.

In June, 1967, the Science Council (Gakujutsu Shingikai) was set up as a new consultative body of the Minister of Education to promote the development of science.

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