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2. The Science and Technology Basic Plan (2001-2005) (unofficial version)(decided by the Government of J apan on March 30, 2001)
Chapter 1 Basic Concepts
2. A Vision of Japan and Concepts of S&T Policy


  In helping people to develop a sound perspective for the future, S&T will play a key role. To pursue its fundamental goal of realizing "an advanced science- and technology-oriented nation," Japan must promote S&T by implementing practical policies based on the Comprehensive Strategy to Promote Science and Technology and the Science and Technology Basic Plan. As a basis for its S&T policy, Japan must form a clear vision of what it aims to become, synthesizing what it has learned in the 20th century with what it foresees for the 21st. This vision will take three forms:

- A nation that contributes to the world by creating and using scientific knowledge

- An internationally competitive nation capable of sustainable development

- A safe, secure nation where people enjoy a high quality of life.

(1) A nation that contributes to the world by creating and using scientific knowledge

  - creation of wisdom

  "A nation that contributes to the world by creating and using scientific knowledge" is: f irstly, a nation that creates new knowledge by clarifying unknown phenomena and discovering new scien tific laws and principles; and secondly, a nation that copes with various problems by utilizing accum ulated knowledge. Moreover, if a nation works with other nations to resolve problems common to humank ind by transmitting its knowledge and wisdom, it will win the trust of other nations.For Japan to bec ome such a nation, science must be rooted in society and fostered there. The nation will have to prep are an atmosphere where the scientific view, scientific way of thinking, and scientific mind are high ly valued; and to build a knowledge-based society that nurtures talented persons who can create new k nowledge.

  More specifically, the goal is to create outstanding R&D results and to disseminate them widely across to the world, for example, by publishing a profusion of excellent papers that match investmen t, by increasing the percentage of internationally renowned papers, by providing centers of excellenc e that attract outstanding foreign researchers, and by producing just as many Nobel Prize winning sci entists as the most technologically advanced European countries. (Some European countries have produc ed as many as 30 Nobel laureates in the last 50 years).

(2) An internationally competitive nation capable of sustainable development

  - vitality from wisdom

  "An internationally competitive nation capable of sustainable development" is a nation th at can improve people's living standards and maintain vitality for sustainable economic growth a nd international competitiveness by overcoming current difficulties, creating value-added assets and services, and securing job opportunities.

  Industrial technological power is not merely a foundation of international competitiveness for Japa nese companies, but a driving force to vitalize all industrial activities that support people's lives. Industrial technology is also important in terms of utilizing results of scientific knowledge to benefit society. To maintain economic vitality for sustainable development, the nation must foster its more internationally competitive industries by providing an environment conducive to perpetual i nnovation of multifold processes, from the creation of new technologies to the development of new mar kets. It will be crucial to create new industries founded on R&D, and also to reform the interfac e between basic research and businesses.

  More specifically, the goal is to strengthen international competitiveness by widely transferring R &D results from public research organizations to private companies, by proposing various internat ional standards, by further increasing the number of international patents obtained, and by improving industrial productivity. Steps to achieve these ends would include activities of technology licensin g organizations to accelerate technology transfer from public sectors and the establishment of ventur e businesses supported by public research organizations.

(3)A safe, secure nation where people enjoy a high quality of life

  - enlightening society through wisdom

  "A safe, secure nation where people enjoy a high quality of life" is a nation that reliab ly assures safe and high-quality living for its people. Such a nation serves its people by: improving disease treatments and prevention to maximize its citizens chances for a long and healthy life; mini mizing the risks posed by natural and artificial disasters; ensuring a steady supply of food and ener gy, the bases for human activities; realizing industrial activity and economic development in ways th at preserve the global environment; and maintaining stable international relations all over the world .

  To achieve the foregoing aims entirely, it will be necessary to develop S&T and utilize them properly in society. For example, S&T can clarify how diseases and disasters occur and spread. At the same time, the nation must not lose sight of the negative influences of S&T to be contended with. As a nation advanced in S&T, Japan is expected to utilize S&T to resolve various difficult problems that confront the international community, including developing countries. Indeed, Japan's international status and national security depend on its ability to meet this expectation.

  The specific goals are to form S&T bases to analyze genetically caused diseases and develop tai lor-made medical therapies for their treatment, to minimize damage from natural disasters such as ear thquakes and typhoons, and to secure stable supplies of high-quality foods by applying biotechnology, whilst minimizing the possible risks of S&T. Through such endeavors, Japan is also expected to c ontribute to disaster management and the prevention of infectious diseases in the developing countrie s.

To realize the vision described above, Japan will need to consider following two points.

- Japan's S&T development in the 21st century must flow as a continuation of it's rema rkable accumulation of S&T knowledge during the 20th century. In doing so, Japan should concurren tly pursue two targets: to use S&T to resolve the problems confronting Japan, and to use S&T to resolve world problems, thereby contributing to world development.

- As Japan commenced its modernization efforts earlier than any other countries outside of the West, it has gained long experience in harmonizing S&T and traditional cultures. Japan should use this experience to help create an environment in which the various peoples of the world can thoroughly en joy the benefits of S&T while maintaining their cultures and value systems.


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