Review of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency （Draft）（Under discussion）
______________, 2017
Cabinet Office
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
The National Research and Development Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency （JAXA） conduct basic R&D for application in aerospace fields in a comprehensive manner. The Basic Plan for Space Policy （Cabinet Decision on April 1, 2016） set policy objectives, such as: “assurance of space safety”, “promotion of space utilization in the civilian field”, “maintenance and reinforcement of space industry and technology infrastructure”, and as a practical approach to space policy, measures are indicated in a roadmap to achieve these objectives. In this policy, JAXA, always considered as the “core implementing agency which technically supports the entire government in space exploration,” is required to improve technological strength through basic research and development, and ensures steady progress of projects, and application of outcomes of such projects to society to accomplish the policy objectives and the roadmap. As for aviation technology, JAXA is required to promote R&D for improving international competitiveness of the aerospace industry in Japan as per the Research and Development Plan （“R&D Plan” as formulated on February 2017 by CST’s Subdivision on R&D Planning and Evaluation[D1], MEXT） as part of the 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan.
JAXA has steadily obtained results in the 3rd mid to long-term objectives period despite of changes in circumstances including launching of a new basic plan for space policy and transfer of its organizational structure to the national research and development agency requiring additional efforts directly tied to national security, and social advancement.
In the next mid to long-term objectives period, JAXA is expected to transform itself to lead the way in the society with revamped technology and create new values by actively making plans and creating proposals focusing on applying them for the betterment of the society, through strengthening of its organizational functions and collaboration with different disciplines, not limited to the aerospace fields, while making use of the results obtained in the 3rd mid to long-term objectives period, in light of the changes in the circumstances surrounding JAXA and accompanying challenges, such as the expectation of increasing the players in the fields of aerospace and creating new businesses in addition to:
・ Increasing the need for ensuring stable use of space in response to the heightened importance of space safety and intensified threats and risks in space of recent days.
・ Need for continued promotion of efforts in developing the space industry, which might be finally active as the environment for civilian space activities have been improved in Japan after the enforcement of the two space related acts in 2016 and the “Vision 2030 for the Space Industry[D2]” compiled this year.
・ Need for improving research standards and maintaining and elevating international presence of Japan in space science and exploration to cope with the rise of developing nations in these fields.
・ Increasing international demand for striking a balance between the enhancement of safety or environmental compatibility and economic potential in the aviation science technology.
According to evaluation of the achievements during the mid to long-term objectives period, which is expected to be completed at the end of the period, the work and organization of JAXA should be restructured as described in the following section before compiling the next mid to long-term objectives so that the primary goal of the national research and development agency, and the “maximization of R&D achievements[D3][T4]” can be accomplished in light of the government policy as indicated in the existing decisions made by the Cabinet, including the “Basic Policy on Reform of the Incorporated Administrative Agency[D5][T6]” （Cabinet Decision on December 24, 2013）, and the above-mentioned circumstances surrounding JAXA under the concept of incorporated administrative agencies for administration, and “appropriate, effective and efficient operations[D7][T8].”
JAXA is a national research and development agency that conducts R&D conforming to long-term government policy, such as the Basic Plan for Space Policy, and is required to set mid to long-term objectives according to R&D characteristics including long-term perspectives. The duration of the mid to long-term objectives period is, therefore, seven （7） years.
The next mid to long-term objectives should be appropriate for efficient and effective use of limited resources, allowing JAXA to use its utmost capability to be an agency that leads the way in society with technology and create new value, in light of maximizing R&D achievements throughout the nation and in consideration of the issues listed below. In addition, the indexes for specific subjects or standards to be attained should be created for objectives and accurate evaluation of JAXA activities and outcomes:
○ Focused measures
JAXA should take measures listed below in the next mid to long-term objectives period in addition to steady execution of measures indicated in the Basic Plan for Space Policy and its sub-plan R&D Plan. To support these efforts, it should also enhance platforms, such as human resources and facilities required for the leading-edge R&D and aerospace projects to create new businesses, and improve its activities relating to international cooperation and increased public understanding.
・ More detailed efforts to meet the needs for security including the initiation and promotion of international efforts to ensure stable use of space, and contribution to guaranteeing space system function; and promotion of R&D for realizing a safe and secure society.
・ Promotion of efforts to extend space use including the creation of new businesses through partnerships with private business operators and provide technical support including advice to them; and carry out R&D activities for strengthening international competitiveness in the space industry.
・ Promotion of space science research in collaboration with other organizations aiming at space exploration to increase Japan’s international presence, and produce world’s highest level of scientific outcomes.
・ Promotion of R&D to strike a balance between enhancement of safety of aircraft including next-generation models in pursuit of the increased competitiveness of the aviation industry of Japan or environmental compatibility and economic potential.
○ Management and organizational work
For smooth implementation of the above-mentioned essential measures, and maximizing R&D achievements, as well as the steady and effective transfer of self-generated income to secure grater outcomes, and efforts should be made to build a system focusing on R&D function, project implementation function and function common to management and operation, and develop human resources for optimum personnel positioning including the recruitment of external manpower from the private sector, and ensuring the role of JAXA in future. In addition, management and organizational reform should be carried out for creating new businesses in collaboration with private business operators and public research institutes, and improving planning and proposal function.
○ Efforts for promoting projects
Management rules should be thoroughly observed to reduce the risk and ensure the implementation of projects, and considerations and R&D in the initial stage should be enhanced.
○ Financial issues
Self-generated income from external funds should be increased by obtaining competitive research funds and strengthening the collaboration with private business operators and public research institutions in Japan and abroad to make new business creation and return of R&D achievements to society more efficient.
○ Information security measures
Promotion of information security measures should be included in the mid to long-term objectives based on the information security policy derived from the “Common Standards of Information Security Measures for Government Agencies” pursuant to the Basic Act on Cybersecurity （Act No. 104 of 2014） by taking into account the advice from the Cybersecurity Strategic Headquarters.
科学技術・学術政策局企画評価課