The conditions surrounding Japan have drastically changed from the time the Second Science and Technology Basic Plan was made, including the decreasing and aging of the population, change in the international power balance by the rise of China and Korea in Asia and the growth of BRICs countries, restricted supplies of resources and energy, frequent natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol with greenhouse gas reduction as an international agreement, and insecurity of health and food including new and reemerging infectious diseases and BSE. For continuously developing as a first-class nation in this knowledge competition era and leading the world, it is essential to carefully select and promote the important technologies （"Key Technologies of National Importance"） that are to be the base for the nation's continuous development, and be worked out with a long-term national strategy.

 Based on the recognition of these circumstances, the Third Basic Plan prescribes that "Key Technologies of National Importance," that require concentrated investment during the period of the Basic Plans, should be selected from large world-leading long-term projects implemented by a state-led consistent promotion system and that the target and long-term strategy of the state should be clarified and worked out. Below are the selected five "Key Technologies of National Importance"：

- The world's highest level "next generation super computer" that carries science and technology forward

- "X-ray free electron laser" that has the characteristics of both radiation light and laser and that enables analysis that was impossible by conventional methods

- "Ocean and earth exploration system" that contributes to clarify phenomena and predict influences of global warming, to clarify mechanisms of generations of earthquakes and tsunamis, and to probe resources

- "Fast breeder reactor （FBR） cycle technology" that secures a long-term stable supply of energy

- "Space transport system" that is essential for Japan's total security and for keeping Japan's autonomy in international society