Introduction
Part 1: In An Era of Change
Chapter 1: What is Needed - Various Domestic and International
Issues Which Must be Addressed in order to Prepare for Change -
Section 1: Breaking Through Stagnate Conditions and
Responding to the Needs of the Japanese People
Section 2: Solutions to Global and Human Questions
Chapter 2: What Science and Technology Can Do - An
Era of Change and the Role of Science and Technology -
Section 1: The Increasing Importance of the Role of
Science and Technology
Section 2: Attitudes of the Japanese People With Regard
to Science and Technology
Chapter 3: What Types of Systems Are Important - Increasing
Efforts for change in the Research Community -
Section 1: "Look" - Perspective Needed in
this Era of Change -
Section 2: "Create" - Achieving Results that
Lead to Change -
Section 3: "Best Use" - Putting Research
Findings to Work for Society -
Section 4: "Evaluate" - Improve Research
Evaluation Systems -
Section 5: Conclusion - New Creativity in the Era of
Change -
Part 2: The Current Status of Science and Technology
in Japan and Other Nations
Part 3: Policies Implemented for the Promotion of Science
and Technology
Lists of Tables and Figures
This report concerns policy measures intended to promote science and technology, and has been submitted to the hundred forty-second session of the Diet, pursuant to Article 8 of the Science and Technology Basic Law (Law No. 130) , enacted in 1995.
Parts 1 and 2 of this report discuss trends in a wide range of scientific and technical activities to help the reader understand the policy measures implemented to promote science and technology, which are then discussed in Part 3.
Part 1, entitled "An Era of Change", attempts an analysis of the status of various domestic and international issues which must be addressed in order to prepare for change as well as response to these issues from the perspective of science and technology. Part 2 uses various data to compare scientific and technical activities in Japan with those in other selected countries.
The "era of change" requires that significant steps be taken in preparation
for vast changes in society. This report will discuss and consider what approach
from science and technology is important in this "era of change".
Chapter 1: What is Needed - Various Domestic and International
Issues Which Must be Addressed in order to Prepare for Change -
Section 1: Breaking Through Stagnate Conditions and Responding to the Needs
of the Japanese People
1. Breaking Through Stagnate Conditions and the Static Japanese Socioeconomic System
* The serious limitations of Japan's socioeconomic system have been seen, uncertainty and anxiety about the future are increasing, and there is a sense of stagnation throughout the entire social structure. Drastic response measures are necessary.
* An era of intense global competition has arrived, and worries about declines in domestic industry and employment persist. New industrial innovation and an environment which fosters such innovation are needed, and structural changes by means such as correcting the high cost structure must be implemented.
* With a rapidly aging population and fewer and fewer children, there are worries that labor shortages, and, subsequently, that a general decrease in society's strength may result. Structural reforms, including steps to develop and utilize the potential of women and the elderly, are needed to avoid labor shortages and declines in society's well-being.
* Compared to the United States, Japan's endeavors to create an advanced information technology society have been slow. Moreover, technology in Asian countries continues to improve. Japan must redouble efforts to achieve an advanced information technology society.
* Japan must build a society in which the people -- especially the children who will carry on the next generations -- have hopes and dreams for the future, and in which the realization of these hopes and dreams is only a question of effort and determination.
2. Appropriate Response to the Interests and Needs of the Japanese People
* As people continue to live longer and longer, the wish of many Japanese is for an abundant society in which people are able to live stable, healthy lives. Japan must strengthen its social structures and systems in order to build a strong society in which elderly people can lead active lives.
* Further consideration of safety and security policies and risk management policies must take place in order to achieve a society in which people are able to lead wealthy, stable, secure lives. In addition, the strengthening of social systems with promotion and maintenance of health as the basic goal is necessary to allowing people to lead full, healthy lives.
* The Japanese people are very interested in issues related to preservation
and improvement of and changes in their living environment. These include waste
disposal issues such as resolving the garbage problem and environmental problems
such as atmospheric pollution, etc. Japan must work to improve its response
to these issues.
Section 2: Solutions to Global and Human Questions
* There are numerous issues to which the entire global community must respond by coordinating knowledge and efforts in order to ensure the foundation of human existence into the 21st century. These issues include global environmental problems, energy and food issues as well as emerging & reemerging infectious diseases.
* Global warming is a serious problem that could be called a threat to human existence. The entire nation must strive to implement the agreement signed at the Kyoto Conference to Prevent Global Warming in a coordinated, well-planned manner. Other important issues include the problem of ozone layer depletion, prevention of deforestation, and acid rain policies.
* The issue of worldwide energy supply and demand may become increasingly urgent in the future. A long-term, global approach to energy issues is needed. In addition, there is concern that world food supply may become unstable over the mid to long-term. International efforts aimed at increasing productivity per unit of land are necessary.
* When considering issues such as the global environment and energy, the need for a long-term perspective with the goal of creating a society in which resources are recycled and reused becomes clear.
* The risk of the rapid spread of various diseases is increasing. Consequently, policies dealing with infectious diseases such as AIDS need to be global in scope. In addition, policies are also necessary with regard to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis which are once again on the increase.
* There are indications that Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can contribute to reproductive problems. Stronger policies with regard to this problem are needed.
Chapter 2: What Science and Technology Can Do - An Era of Change and the Role of Science and Technology -
Section 1: The Increasing Importance of the Role of Science and Technology
1. The Increasing Importance of the Role of Science and Technology as the 21st Century Approaches
* Improvements in technology are important sources of economic development. The TFP (total factor productivity) rise contributes significantly to the economic growth.
* The popularization and increase in ownership of household electric appliances, for example, contributes to a richer lifestyle. Results from areas of science and technology which may initially seem unrelated to the people can often be applied to their activities. One example is the use of space food technology in the manufacture of instant food products.
* With regard to global warming, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change includes a statement on the importance of the role of science and technology. In addition, science and technology have a significant role to play in the development of improved food production techniques and treatments for infectious diseases such as AIDS.
* Science and technology allows us to dream, encourages our curiosity to discover the unknown, and it creates, expands, and improves our perspective of the world, the earth, and our lives. From this point of view, the importance of the role science and technology play in encouraging the advancement of knowledge is clear.
2. Expectations and Demands for Science and Technology from Technology Forecast Survey
* A Technology Forecast Survey ranked the environment, electronics, and life
sciences as highly important fields of science and technology. Subjects considered
important include technology related to the environment, technology related
to information, and technology related to life. This reinforces the idea mentioned
in Chapter 1 above of the importance of the response of science and technology
to various domestic and international issues.
Section 2: Attitudes of the Japanese People With Regard to Science and Technology
1. Expectations and Worries of the Japanese People With Regard to Science and Technology
* While the role of science and technology is seen as important, many people believe there are both good and bad sides to advances in science and technology. In addition, people have various other concerns with regard to such advances, including worries about the speed of progress in science and technology and that science and technology are becoming increasingly fractionalized. In other words, expectations for science and technology are intermingled with concerns ( Figure 1 (1) , (2) ).
* Moreover, many young people have expectations for science and technology, yet many indicated concerns and disinterest as well.
2. Science and Technology Society Can Easily Accept
* As in the case of Freon gas, science and technology sometimes have a more negative impact on society than initially expected. These situations exacerbate concerns and contribute to increased disinterest in science and technology.
* Researchers are also aware that advances in science and technology have an impact on the environment ( Figure 2 ).
* However, the role of science and technology in improving upon negative conditions, such as environmental problems, is a very important one, and the public has very high expectations for these areas of science and technology as well. In the future, science and technology must become more acceptable to Japanese society and to all societies ( Figure 3 ).
Chapter 3: What Types of Systems Are Important - Increasing Efforts for Change in the Research Community -
Section 1: "Look" - Perspective Needed in this Era of Change -
1. Extensive and Overlooking Perspective Neede
(1) Characteristics of various domestic and international issues and world trends
1) Complexity of various domestic and international issues
a. Difficulty in responding to issues when science and technology are fractionalized and specialized into narrow individual fields
* Modern science and technology are becoming more and more fractionalized and specialized. Fractionalization and specialization have contributed to advances in every field of science and technology, and continued research in each field of specialization will further progress in science and technology in the future as well.
* However, many of these domestic and international issues can not be solved by limited individual fields alone. Solutions to environmental problems, for example, require concerted efforts from a wide range of scientific and technological fields, including meteorology, environmental sciences, energy, forestry, ecology, and information technology.
* According to a survey of private corporations, when recruiting mid-career employees for research positions, companies often look for people with experience in different industries ( Figure 4 ).
* In addition, when the same survey asked corporations what they look for in a researcher, the most frequent responses were "originality and creativity", "ambition and drive", followed by "specialized knowledge and expertise in a wide range of fields" ( Figure 5 ). This is an indication of the importance of, from the human resources point of view, researchers and research advisors knowledgeable in a variety of fields and of the necessity to coordinate the efforts of people from different fields.
b. Sometimes Dealing with One Problem Causes Another Problem
* Burning garbage creates dangerous dioxin fumes. Burning garbage helps reduce garbage levels, but other pollution problems result. Also, if solving these problems leads to excessive increases in cost, this becomes a barrier to correcting high structural costs.
* When we examine the relationship between nature and human beings, we see that if we only seek material wealth, the negative impact on nature will be of concern. Advances in science and technology have made human beings rich. However, it can not be denied that applications of science and technology to society have also created problems that impact human existence, such as environmental problems. This is part of the reason for the public's concern about science and technology.
* Environmental awareness is increasing among private corporations, with many companies developing systems to help preserve the environment and improve business results at the same time ( Figure 6 ).
* Appropriate responses to these types of "trade-off" issues are not possible without a full understanding of the problems, and this is not possible if researchers look at problems from the point of view of one limited field of study.
d. Difficulty in Responding from the Perspective of Science and Technology Alone
* The functions of advanced information technology society are the result of a combination of various efforts such as information technology research and development, establishment of telecommunications basic infrastructure, promotion of the information technology business, and international cooperation and coordination. The same is true with regard to realizing a community with an active aging population.
* The issue of using cloning technology to manufacture human individuals has enormous ethical connotations for questions of human dignity. Bioethical issues must be debated not only from the point of view of cloning technology, one single field of science and technology, but from various perspectives including ethics, religion, and law.
* Because of the speed of advances in science and technology, technology is now applied to a rapidly expanding range of fields. It is important to consider these applications from the regulatory perspective, for example, and from other perspectives besides that of science and technology.
* There is a close relationship between response from fields other than science and technology and response from science and technology, and we must be aware of this fact and continue to build cooperation.
2) What's Happening in the World Today
a. Trends in Selected Countries' Policies with Regard to Science and Technology
* Selected countries in Europe and North America advance policies for science and technology in which importance is placed on competitiveness and employment security. While maintaining a high standard of basic research, the objective of their policies is to build upon the foundation of this basic research in order to strengthen competitiveness. These countries are also continuing to increase efforts to respond to the needs of the people as well as to global issues and human issues such as global environmental problems.
* The countries of Asia place emphasis on economic growth and development. Central to their policies regarding science and technology is the belief that science and technology contribute to economic development.
b. Compatibility Between Competition and Cooperation
* At the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Kyoto, and it was once again clear that effective solutions for global environmental problems can not be achieved without efforts at the global level. In addition, international cooperation is necessary for large-scale institutions and systems as well as for research development projects which require researchers and technical specialists from a wide range of fields and disciplines.
* With regard to trends in selected countries in Europe and North America and
in countries throughout Asia, Japan is required to constantly strike a balance
between competition as globalization continues and cooperation in global-scale
projects and institutions. Japan must continue to support endeavors that have
a worldwide scope. This is the direction the Japanese people expect the country
to take as well.
(2) Extensive and Overlooking Perspective is Important to the Entire Research Community
* From now on, rather than approach various domestic and international issues from the narrow perspective of individual disciplines, the entire research community must:
- adopt a broad view on science and technology
- consider approaches and conditions in fields other than science and technology
- form a global perspective
Moreover, an approach that considers the future conditions of these various issues is necessary now.
To summarize these ideas, researchers must adopt an "Extensive and Overlooking Perspective", they must "look" and examine various domestic and international issues in this era of change, and they must strive to resolve these issues.
* Concern over fractionalization of science and technology also shows that the public wants researchers to approach these issues with an extensive and overlooking perspective as well.
2. Promoting Understanding Between the Japanese People and the International
Community
(1) Promoting Understanding Between the Japanese People and the Research Community
a. Are There Differences Between the Public's Perceptions and Researchers' Perceptions?
* Researchers are more positive than the public in their assessment of science and technology (positive aspects and negative aspects)
* Differences in perception are noted ( Figure 7 ). For example, approximately forty percent of the people responding to the survey feel many scientists and researchers are not interested in people and society. Almost seventy percent of the researchers surveyed, however, believe that researchers contribute to society.
* These results indicate that steps must be taken to build understanding with the public in order to avoid significant differences in perception and opinion between the public and the research community.
b. Research Community as a Whole: Understanding and Considering Economic and Social Needs
* Approximately eighty percent of the researchers indicated they take economic and social needs into account in carrying out their research. However, only seventy percent of the respondents feel that, on the whole, research in their discipline considers economic and social needs. With regard to the research community as a whole, the percentage of respondents who believe economic and social needs are considered dropped even more, to just over fifty percent ( Figure 8) .
The researchers believed that they are responding to economic and social needs in their own research, but, in assessing their counterparts in other research and in other fields of research, they indicated uncertainty as to whether these factors were being sufficiently considered.
* As for methods employed to gain understanding of economic and social needs, most researchers indicated this would be achieved through channels inside and in close proximity to the research community such as "from scientific trends in scientific societies and associations" and "through job" ( Figure 9 ). Researchers said they would like to use opportunities such as lectures open to the general public and seminars at public community colleges and universities in order to explain their research. Researchers should actively pursue and use these types of opportunities to gain understanding of economic and social needs.
c. Public Interest and Explanations to the Public
Approximately sixty percent of the general public is interested in science and technology, and sixty percent of the researchers surveyed said they felt the general public has an interest in their research. In addition, more than sixty percent of the public indicated they believe they are capable of understanding scientific and technical information when explained in an easy-to-understand manner, and approximately eighty percent of the researchers thought the public would understand their research if it were explained in an easy-to-understand manner. There is a difference of degree, but researchers and the public are in agreement on this point ( Figure 10 ).
* Just less than seventy percent of the researchers indicated they would like to explain their research in order that the general public could understand it. Researchers must make efforts to build understanding and trust by actively participating in direct discussions and dialogues with the public ( Figure 11 ).
* In order to build public understanding, trust, and support for science and technology, the government must also take steps to ensure ample opportunities for researchers to have direct exchanges and interaction with the public and with young people.
d. Gaining Public Understanding and Support for Space Exploration and Research
* Space exploration is a field of research that requires enormous funding, and, in promoting space exploration and research, it is important to provide the public with sufficient information in order to gain understanding and support. Moreover, in carrying out space exploration and research, we must overcome prior mistakes made in the process, and use those mistakes to achieve results that make a significant contribution to society.
e. Ethical Issues and Science and Technology
* Bioethics must be carefully debated and discussed from various perspectives, including science, ethics, religion, and law.
* Carrying out these sorts of debates and discussions will also help foster appropriate development of science and techn
f. Drastic reforms in the Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation and rebuilding public trust
* After accidents and the inappropriate response that followed, it is clear that drastic reforms in the Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation are necessary. As part of these reforms, preparations are currently underway to reorganize this corporation into the "Nuclear Fuel Cycle Development Agency (tentative, to be officially named in English)".
* With regard to the problem of the Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation, the importance of the entire research community actively taking measures now to disseminate information, gain the understanding, trust, and support of the public, and to grasp the needs of the public is very clear. In particular, policies on science and technology must become open and highly transparent.
g. Promoting Understanding Between the Public and the Research Community
* In consideration of the above, from now on, the research community as a whole must,
- Endeavor to be ever conscious of its responsibilities.
- Rather than being a closed community, the research community must actively participate in discussions and dialogues with the public, and, from the center of activity in science and technology, it must keep the public informed and raise questions and make proposals.
- It is necessary that the research community accurately understand and clarify the diverse, complex, and sometimes opaque demands of the people. The research community must make efforts to gain public understanding, trust, and support.
- Policies regarding science and technology must be open to the public and highly transparent.
* Feedback, proposals, and questions from the public with regard to science and technology are also important to strengthening the extensive and overlooking perspective of the research community. Deepening the public's interest to science and technology is also important.
(2) Promoting Understanding Between the International Community and the Research Community
* Conditions of economic development and science and technology differ for each country. There are cultural differences as well. These differences have the potential to cause major problems for international cooperation and mutual understanding. For this reason, it is important that Japan explain its point of view and its endeavors to the international community and obtain the understanding and trust of the international community.
* Endeavors undertaken to promote understanding with the public in Japan are applicable to relations with the international community as well.
Section 2: "Create" - Achieving Results that Lead to Change
1. Efforts to Achieve Results from an Extensive and Overlooking Perspective
a. Cooperation and Setting the Most Appropriate Goals
* Many researchers indicated "establishing accurate research goals" and "accurate understanding of needs" are important in accomplishing research that considers economic and social needs as steps. It is important to establish research goals that accurately relate to economic and social needs ( Figure 12 ).
* Researchers believe their research contributes to solutions to economic and social problems, and forty percent of the researchers surveyed said they take activities in other fields of research or areas other than science and technology into consideration when establishing their research goals. These results indicate that the method of establishing research objectives may not be sufficiently extensive and overlooking in scope ( Figure 13 ).
* Researchers must approach various domestic and international issues, including global environmental issues, with a broad scientific and technological perspective. They must make efforts to consider conditions in disciplines other than science and technology, and they should strive to establish research goals that aim to foster a bright future.
* These goals must incorporate a broad range of scientific and technological knowledge and expertise. Moreover, cooperation and coordination are essential, and research activities must be well-planned as well as flexible.
* In the "Long Term Strategy for Research and Development on the Brain", formulated by the Brain Science Committee of the Council for Science and Technology, fields were separated into three general groups, and plans and goals (strategic objectives) for each group for the next twenty years were established. At present, each group is coordinating efforts with related government ministries and agencies, and is carrying out research and development activities.
* The government must adopt an extensive and overlooking perspective and it must redouble efforts to implement highly strategic policies on science and technology that will prepare for and facilitate change.
b. Essential Cooperation with Related Government Ministries and Agencies
* In this era of change, cooperation with related government ministries and agencies to achieve objectives is more important than ever before. At the same time, coordinated, effective efforts by the government as a whole are absolutely essential to the vigorous promotion and advancement of research and development.
* Measures to improve cooperation with related government ministries and agencies include comprehensive government coordinated policies such as the establishment in recent years of informational meetings for each topic or issue sponsored by the Interministerial Coordinating Group. In addition, in cooperation with related ministries and agencies, the Science and Technology Council is working on comprehensive assessments for research plans which involve many different ministries and agencies and is developing a database which is capable of examining nationally funded research and development activities.
* Development of these kinds of cooperative efforts continue, but further development is necessary.
2. Efforts to Produce Innovative, Universal Results
(1) The Need for Innovative, Universal Results
* According to the results of a survey of private corporations regarding important research and development strategies for the future, many companies said "improving product development to respond to consumer needs" and "increasing originality in product development" are important. Companies are trying to respond to consumer needs, while, at the same time, they are striving to create new and revolutionary technical innovation. Companies are making efforts to create new and revolutionary technical innovation in order to build a dynamic economic current in the next century ( Figure 14 ).
* As these trends in private business show, drastic changes in Japan's economic and social systems, through creation of new industries, for example, are necessary in order to respond to competition in today's global economy. At the same time, private corporations must also produce innovative, universal results.
* Creative, universal results are also necessary to respond to the interests and needs of the public, including a high standard of medical care and appropriate safety strategies to cope with earthquakes and other disasters, and in response to important issues affecting all of humanity, such as environmental problems.
(2) Research Management that Creates Innovative, Universal Research Results
Efforts with an extensive and overlooking perspective, which establish appropriate goals and carry out coordination necessary to bringing together a wide range of scientific and technological knowledge and expertise, to carry out research result must be supported by research management that create innovative, universal research result.
1) The Level of Japan's Research
* Researchers and private corporations believe Japan lags somewhat behind North America and Europe in its level of research and technological capabilities, particularly in basic research and advanced science and technology ( Figure 15 ).
* Japan's share of the total number of scientific papers produced and citations awarded throughout the world is increasing. Still, the share of citations from Japan remains low. In particular, efforts are needed to improve the quality of Japan's scientific papers ( Figure 16 ).
* Japan must now take steps to strengthen basic research and advanced science and technology and to improve the research environment. In doing so, it is important for Japan to make sure its science and technology capabilities are equivalent to worldwide levels.
* Because of its influence on various fields of applied science and research, basic research is especially important in order to respond to economic and social needs in this era of change.
a. Japan's Research Environment
* Many companies said the siting conditions of research centers and institutions in the United States and Europe are superior to those in Japan. The most frequently cited reasons for this include the existence of excellent research institutions and facilities and the availability of excellent research personnel ( Figure 17 ).
* In this age of global competition, companies choose the countries in which to set up business. In science and technology as well, ambitious researchers and companies will select and move into countries with research-friendly environments.
In these circumstances, Japan must carry out world class research operations. Researchers from Japan and many other countries will then gather here and cutting edge scientific and technological research activities will take place in Japan.
b. Globally Competitive Research Management
* The motivating factors for the greatest research results most often cited by researchers include "intellectual curiosity", "sense of accomplishment and growth", and "sense of challenge". The most frequent responses reflect a sense of self-motivation and personal values ( Figure 18 ). Research activities are essentially intellectual activities and it is necessary to develop a research environment conducive to researchers' fully demonstrating their creativity, aspirations, and capabilities.
* With regard to the kind of research environment necessary to carrying out one's research, many researchers at national research institutions and universities indicated flexibility in funding and research planning and increasing the number of research assistants as important (50 percent to 70 percent). A high percentage of private corporations also said flexibility in research planning is essential ( Figure 19 ).
* At the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, a world-class research institute, in addition to a flexible management organizational style, the director of the research center is allowed a wide discretionary authority. Moreover, at the Max Planck Society and at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, researcher mobility, fixed term, contract researchers and post doctorate researchers account for more than half of the total number of researchers ( Figure 20 ).
* In Japan, efforts to implement flexible and competitive research management styles are currently underway. The Chemistry and Physics Research Center is an example of one such research center ( Figure 21 ).
* From these results, it is clear that excellent institutions have the following characteristics in common: 1) they operate flexible research operations in their management organizations, 2) they allow capable research advisors wide discretionary authority, and, 3) they utilize post doctorate researchers and other mobile researchers, train young researchers and promote a dynamic atmosphere in a competitive and open research environment.
* For Japan to carry out world class research management, it is imperative to implement research management that is not in any way secondary to research management in other countries and that is competitive and flexible in addition to being people-oriented based on characteristics particular to Japan.
Section 3: "Best Use" - Putting Research Findings to Work for Society -
1. Private Corporations' Expectations for Cooperation and Interaction Between Industry, Academia, and Government
* Approximately ninety percent of the corporations surveyed indicated they utilize their cooperative relationship, or plan to utilize their cooperative relationship, with universities and research institutions (national research institutions, research-centered public corporations, and public research institutions).
* In addition, a high percentage of the reasons given by private corporations for engaging in domestic research cooperation include "research personnel" and "research results" with regard to cooperation with universities, and "research facilities and equipment" and "research results" with regard to cooperation with research institutions ( Figure 22 ).
* Private corporations have high expectations for cooperation and interaction between industry, academia, and government and for the transfer to corporations of results obtained at national research institutions.
2. Increasing Efforts to Return Research Results to Society
a. Cooperation and Interaction Between Industry, Academia, and Government
* Many researchers recognize the importance of joint research efforts of industry,
academia, and government, but only about forty percent of the researchers surveyed
said opportunities for joint research have increased during the past three years.
Steps must be taken to promote increased interest and efforts by researchers
to interact with other institutions.
b. Return to Society of National Research Institution and University Research
Results
* Development and advancement of environments conducive to the smooth transfer of research results of national research institutions and universities continue.
* Approximately thirty percent of researchers from national research institutions surveyed said they would be interested in submitting a patent application in order to receive the individual title for the patent. A little less than forty percent of the researchers from national public universities surveyed indicated such an interest ( Figure 23 ).
* American universities with high numbers of patent applications also have many Nobel Prize laureates. They also have technical transfer offices. Rather than focusing only on basic research, they are actively engaged in transferring results to society ( Table 24 ).
* Efforts to utilize research results in society must be increased by promoting cooperation and interaction between industry, academia, and government through endeavors such as joint research projects, developing increased awareness of the importance of patents among researchers, establishing support systems for increased patent applications and patent licenses by researchers and research institutions, establishing systems to supply private corporations with research result information, and modifying related laws and regulations.
Section 4: "Evaluate" - Improve Research Evaluation Systems -
a. Current Condition of Research Evaluation Efforts
* In August, 1997, the Prime Minister issued general guidelines for research evaluation systems. The guidelines clarify the various categories of assessment necessary for the fair implementation of research evaluations.
* Based on the guidelines issued by the Prime Minister, each ministry and agency is currently developing their own guidelines and developing and amending categories and items for assessments carried out at research and development institutions. From now on, we must improve the actual substance of the evaluations established under this system.
b. Research evaluations in this era of change
* Many researchers indicated creativity and the importance of learning and contribution to science as well as appropriate and flexible response to economic and social needs such as by creation of new industries as desired perspectives for evaluation of research and development topics of the government ( Figure 25 ). Researchers also recognize the importance of assessments by outside organizations ( Figure 26 ).
* Progress has been made in research and in research objectives and planning, but we must continue to evaluate whether or not superior research results leading to change and response to society's needs are being created.
* Adopting new perspectives on research and the ideal structure of research management will encourage and support researchers, and research and development will become more dynamic. In addition, flexible research evaluations that reflect the special characteristics of research and development are necessary in order that dull, unvaried evaluations do not result.
Section 5: Conclusion - New Creativity in the Era of Change -
1. In this "era of change", the following factors will be important to responding to various domestic and international issues. These factors are not independent of one other, but must be advanced together.
1) We must adopt a broad perspective when we "look" at various domestic and international issues and the needs of the public.
2) We must "create" excellent research results by implementing globally competitive research management and by establishing the most appropriate goals and carrying out cooperation and coordination between various fields and disciplines.
3) We must "best use" national research institutions' and universities' superior research results for society
4) We must "evaluate" research and development appropriately in order for the above factors to be advanced effectively.
Society is changing dramatically, and the research community must "create" new and innovative results which lead to change and it must also create a new dynamism.
Continued efforts to implement the following approach are necessary to achieve a new "creativity" in this era of change:
* It is important to understand various domestic and international issues with an extensive and overlooking perspective. At the same time, we must engage in research and development by establishing the most appropriate research goals and by gathering and coordinating expertise and human resources from a variety of scientific and technological fields.
* In addition to and in support of this approach, Japan must carry out globally competitive research management.
Japan must improve policy strategies with regard to science and technology by redoubling efforts to implement the above measures.
2. In December of last year, the Administrative Reform Council issued its final report regarding new administrative systems for the 21st Century. The government will do its utmost to comply with this report and central government ministries and agencies are currently carrying out preparations necessary for implementation of the reforms therein.
With regard to science and technology, this report proposes implementing several reforms such as establishing a Council on Arts and Science and Technology and a Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and restructuring national research institutions.
Based on the proposals in this report, by modifying and amending administrative systems such as by establishing a Council on Arts and Science and Technology and a Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in the future, and while continuing to ensure the compatibility and universality of academic science and science and technology research, the government will improve the universality and future suitability of comprehensive national government policies for science and technology which incorporate the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Continuous efforts to implement these modifications and amendments are essential in order that these changes bring about successful results and in order that science and technology are able to contribute to creating a dynamic and confident society in the 21st Century.
Today, with only two and half years remaining before the new millennium, increasing efforts in order to achieve change is a matter of great urgency. The Science and Technology Basic Law enacted and the Science and Technology Basic Plan was adopted. With these law and policies, gradual, steady efforts to build a nation that is creative in science and technology are currently underway. Additional efforts are necessary to achieve change, and, through these efforts, Japan will be positioned as a Science and Technology Creative Nation.
[Part 2: The Current Status of Science and Technology in Japan and Other Nations]
Here, various data and statistics are used to indicate trends in R&D expenditures, research personnel and research performance in Japan and other nations.
Chapter 1: R&D Expenditures
* Total R&D expenditures
* R&D expenditures by financing and performance sector
* R&D expenditures by character of work
Chapter 2: Research Personnel
* Researchers
* R&D expenditures per researcher
* Personnel engaged in R&D
* Overall degree trends
Chapter 3: Trends Related to Research Performance
* Technology trade
* Patents
* High-tech industries
* Scientific papers
[Part 3: Policies Implemented for the Promotion of Science and Technology]
Part 3 reports on the policy measures implemented in FY 1997 to promote science and technology. Policy measures are reported separated for each policy area as provided in the Science and Technology Basic Plan (enacted in July, 1995).
Chapter 1: The Implementation of Policies for Science and Technology
* The Science and Technology Basic Plan
* The Council for Science and Technology
* The Administrative structures of science and technology and budget
Chapter 2: The Implementation of Comprehensive, Systematic Policy Measures
* Cultivating the pool of researchers and improving the system of research and development
* Improving and expanding the research and development infrastructure
* Funding diverse research and development
* Promoting private-sector research and development and utilizing the results of government research and development
* Promoting international exchange
* Science and technology promotion at regional level
* Promoting scientific and technical learning and increasing the public's understanding of and interest in science and technology
Chapter 3: Promotion of Research Activity
* Promotion of basic science
* Promotion of important areas of research and development
* Research activities by organization
* The principal R&D programs
Figure 1 (1) Public opinion: Opinions about science and technology
Figure 1 (2) Public awareness: Worries about advances in science and technology
Figure 2 Researchers' awareness: Impact of advances in science and technology on society
Figure 3 Public awareness: Fields to which science and technology should contribute
Figure 5 What corporations look for in researchers
Figure 6 Corporate awareness: Contribution to society and the public
Figure 9 Methods by which researchers gain understanding of economic and social needs
Figure 12 Efforts in response to economic and social needs
Figure 14 Important factors in improving research and development strategies (plans)
Figure 16 Percentage of scientific papers produced and citations awarded in each country
Figure 18 Motivating factors for greatest research results
Figure 19 Researchers' expectations for research management
Figure 21 Composition of personnel at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN)
Figure 22 Reasons for engaging in research cooperation with other institutions
Figure 23 Patent applications in which the individual title is the objective
Figure 26 Desired structure of evaluation systems for research topics
