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Part Promotion of Scientific Research

In 1991, the total number of researchers engaged in research activities in Japan was approximately 560,000. Of these, about 210,000 worked in universities. The number of university teachers who are taking the lead in scientific research is approximately 120,000.

About half of those who have completed doctorate courses at a graduate school become researchers in one form or another, but the ratio of those who are employed as university teachers drops every year, and fell to 39% in FY1989.

The fellowship program for young researchers sponsored by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, known as the Fellowship Program for Young Japanese Researchers, was established in 1985. Its aim is to provide talented young researchers with opportunities to freely devote themselves to scientific research at the early stages of their research life, and to independently choose research subjects and research sites. This fellowship program is highly valued by universities and other institutions of scientific research as a good system for training and securing young researchers who sustain scientific research in Japan.