3.4 Promoting International Science and Technology Activity

3.4.1 Developing Leading Activities for International Cooperation

 Science and technology creates intellectual assets that should be the common property of all mankind, and also contributes to the resolution of various global issues, etc. Science and technology also contributes to the promotion of industry and economy. To develop international science and technology activities positively in these areas is important for fulfilling Japan's role in international society and for more fully developing science and technology in Japan. Therefore, Japan is not only cooperating through multilateral frameworks, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development （OECD）, but also promoting bilateral cooperation according to the conditions, needs, and potential of each country.

3.4.1.1 Development of Frameworks for Multilateral Cooperation

● Summit Meeting of Major Nations （G8 Summit）

 At the G8 Gleneagles Summit, held in July 2005, various environmental problems such as the issue of climate change were discussed and comments were made concerning the importance of science and technology for environmentally-minded growth. More specifically, topics addressed include alternate energy technologies such as clean energies （including nuclear power）, clean coal, and recyclable energy, as well as technologies to reduce greenhouse gases and technologies related to energy-saving. Further, the Summit re-confirmed the need to construct a Global Earth Observation System of Systems （GEOSS）, already implemented. Prime Minister Koizumi spoke of the importance of science and technology that balance the environment and economic growth, as well as the need for society-building using the "3Rs" （Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle）. Additional statements were also made, including the "Gleneagles Statement on Non-proliferation" and the "G8 Response to the Indian Ocean Disaster, and Future Action on Disaster Risk Reduction."

● United Nations （UN）

 The United Nations is taking measures regarding the prevention of disasters and observing the Earth in the field of science and technology. Japan is participating and cooperating in science projects/activities of the UNESCO （United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization）.

 The UNESCO is involved in the global water problem through the International Hydrological Programme （IHP）. An International Center for Water Hazard and Risk Management （ICHARM） was built in Japan under the auspices of UNESCO, in March 2006 to promote the research, training and information networking activities about managing the danger and risk of water-related disasters.

 At the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission （IOC）, oceanographic observation concerning global climate change and the establishment of tsunami-warning systems are being implemented. In addition, a special emphasis is placed on issues concerning the ethics of science and technology including bioethics.

● Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development （OECD）

 The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development （OECD） works through its Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy （CSTP）, Committee for Information, Computer and Communications Policy （ICCP）, Committee for Industry and Business Environment （CIBE）, Committee for Agriculture （AGR）, Environment Policy Committee （EPOC）, Nuclear Energy Agency （NEA）, Internationnal Energy Agency （IEA）, and others to engage in activities related to science and technology, including the exchange of opinions, experiences, information and personnel between member countries, preparation of statistical information, and implementation of joint research.

 The CSTP established of the following five subgroups, which implement specific activities in their respective fields.

1）Global Science Forum （GSF）

 The forum was established in June 1999, in order to take over the activities of the Mega Science Forum, and to serve as a forum for science and technology policymakers to exchange opinions about important issues within the science and technology sector that require international cooperation and concerted action. The forum is also intended to issue proposals that contribute to design of science and technology policies. In December 2005, a "Science and Technology Workshop for a Safe Society" was held in Tokyo as a Japanese proposal activity. Further, responding to requests from the international community, in the February 2006 meeting of the GSF, Japan took an initiative to start a GSF joint research project to prevent illegal activities in science. Active discussions are under way, led by a strong initiative taken by Japan.

2）Working Group on the Steering and Funding of Research Institutions （SFRI）

 In November 2005, the third meeting of the Working Group on the Steering and Funding of Research Institutions was held; Japan actively participates in this group as the leader of one of its subgroups （the "Subgroup on Appeal of a Research Career"）.

3）Working Group on Innovation and Technology Policy （TIP）

 TIP has discussed and evaluated technology policies, focusing in particular on the National Innovation System （NIS）.

 For two years from 2005 to 2006, TIP held discussions on such topics as the evaluation of innovation policies, globalization of R＆D and innovation, diffusion of IPR, innovation and knowledge, and the NIS of China.

4）Working Party for Biotechnology （WPB）

 Discussion is continuing concerning the formation of a "Global Biological Resource Center Network （GBRCN）" as international operational standards for handling microbes and plants and others were discussed in Paris in October 2005.

5）Working Party of National Experts on Science and Technology Indicators （NESTI（Notes 31））

 At the NESTI meeting held in June 2005, a revision of the "Oslo Manual," the international standards concerning the collection and interpretation of data on innovation activities, was adopted. In addition, new directions and coordination were discussed concerning globalization of human resources in science and technology as well as of research and development.

Notes 31：
 The Working Party will monitor, oversee and advise on statistical work undertaken for the Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy （CSTP） taking into account the priorities established by the Committee.

3.4.1.2 Cooperation with Nations in the Asia-Pacific Region

● Cooperation under the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation （APEC） Forum

 The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation （APEC） is involved in cooperative activities in a variety of fields, supported by open regional cooperation. In March 2004, New Zealand hosted the 4th APEC Science Ministers' Meeting. Under the Industrial Science and Technology Working Group （ISTWG）, mutual use of research facilities, promotion of the distribution of scientific and technical information, and other specific cooperative measures are implemented. In September 2005, as an ISTWG project, an EqTAP seminar concerning the mitigation of earthquake/tsunami disasters in the Asia-Pacific region was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, with the cooperation of the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Port and Airport Research Institute, and others.

● Cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations （ASEAN）

 Japan offers its cooperation in science and technology with the ASEAN in accordance with the Tokyo Declaration and activity plans, adopted in the December 2003 ASEAN Special Summit Meeting; Japan promotes human-resources development in science and technology and encourages research cooperation, such as through researcher-exchange programs with the support of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Further, to promote local cooperation among East Asian countries, the so-called "ASEAN+3" cooperation by Japan, China, and Korea is carried out; in the field of science and technology, cooperation is under way with the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology （COST）.

● Cooperation with Various Countries

 As for cooperation with China, in accordance with the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement（Notes 32）, the 11th Japan-China Science and Technology Cooperation Joint Committee was held in August 2005, in Beijing. In April 2005 and February 2006, the Japan-China seminar met at the Chinese Academy of Science, and in November 2005, a fourth government-level conversation was held between the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and Ministry of Science and Technology of China. Conversation between science and technology administrative officials of the two countries is thus being promoted.

 As for cooperation with India, in accordance with the Japan-India Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, the 7th Japan-India Science and Technology Cooperation Joint Committee was held in November 2005 in Delhi, India.

 In relations with South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and Israel, among others, under agreements for science and technology cooperation, cooperation is progressing in the form of information and research personnel exchanges, and the implementation of joint research. Opinion exchanges on the possibility of future cooperation are also being pursued with other countries that have not signed science and technology cooperation agreements with Japan.

 In a project called the Research and Development for Supporting Humanitarian Demining of Antipersonnel Mines, a prototype of a mine detector/sensor developed in Japan was taken into Croatia for a field test in that country between February and March of 2006. Based on the local evaluation, research and development efforts are being carried out in order to find mines more safely, accurately, and efficiently.

Notes 32：

Science and technology
cooperation agreement：
 An agreement entered into between Japan and a foreign nation in order to promote cooperative relations in the science and technology sector for peaceful purposes. The agreement establishes the form of cooperative activities, the framework for intergovernmental discussions such as joint committees, and also how to handle intellectual property rights stemming from cooperation. Various cooperative activities are implemented under this agreement, including the exchange of R＆D data, researcher exchanges, and joint research. Joint committee meetings are held every few years to report on cooperative activities up to those times, and to discuss future cooperative activities.

3.4.1.3 Cooperation with Nations in Europe and North America

 Cooperative activities such as holding joint committee meetings based on bilateral science and technology cooperation agreements among European and North American nations are actively being carried out in order to resolve common challenges faced by advanced countries, including those in life sciences, nanotechnology/materials, environmental sciences, nuclear energy, and space development （Figure 3-4-1）.

Table 3-4-1 Joint committee meetings and other activities held in FY2005 based on bilateral science and technology cooperation among European and North American nations

Country	Name	Dates	Location	Topics
United States	11th Japan-U.S. Joint Working Level Committee (on Science and Technology Cooperation)	July 12, 2005	Washington, D.C.	(1) Earth science, and environment (2) Nano-technology (3) Life science (4) Science and technology for a safe and secure society
Canada	9th Japan-Canada Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation	Oct. 12, 2005	Ottawa	(1) Earth science and environment (2) Life science
Italy	8th Meeting of the Japan-Italy Joint Committee on Co-operation in Science and Technology	June 13, 2005	Rome	(1) Research-support programs (2) Space (3) Erosion and sediment control (4) Researcher exchanges
France	6th Meeting of the Japan-France Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation	March 8, 2006	Paris	(1) Science and technology policy in each country (2) Report and follow-up on the 6 th Meeting of the Japan-France Joint Advisory Council on Science and Technology Cooperation (3) Researcher exchanges (4) Basic science (5) Life sciences (6) Information and communication technology (7) Material, nano-technologies, and new energies (8) Environment and oceanology (9) Space (10) Building secure and safe society (11) Promoting public understanding of science and technology (12) Science and technology cooperation for developing countries
Sweden	3rd Japan-Sweden Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation	March 10, 2006	Stockholm	(1) Science and technology policy in each country (2) Researcher exchanges (3) Interchange of universities (4) Life sciences (5) Nano-technologies (6) Promoting R&D investment (7) Health care (8) IT
Russia	9th Meeting of the Japan-Russia Committee on Cooperation in Science and Technology	Feb. 22 ─ 23, 2006	Tokyo	(1) Information exchange on science and technology policies of both countries (2) Summary of results of science and technology cooperation between the two countries (3) Opinion exchange on the current status and prospects of cooperation between the two countries on the industry-academia-government level in science and technology
Ukraine	1st Japan-Ukraine Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation	Feb. 15, 2006	Kiev	(1) Current status and government's basic policies on science and technology in Ukraine and in Japan (2) Review and discussion on cooperative activities (3) Discussion on priority areas for future cooperation
China	11th Japan-China Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation	Aug. 30, 2005	Beijing	(1) Life science (2) Research exchange
India	7th Japan-India Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation	Nov. 3, 2005	Deli	(1) Explanations on activities of science and technology administration of India and Japan (2) Review of current status of the Japan-India science and technology exchange (3) Roles to be played by the governments and science and technology joint committees in the field of science and technology (4) Areas where cooperation is possible

 As for the United States, in accordance with Agreement between the government of Japan and the government of the United States of America on cooperation in research and development in Science and Technology, the 11th Japan-U.S. Joint Working Level Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation was held in July 2005. As for Canada, in accordance with Agreement between the government of Japan and the government Canada on cooperation in Science and Technology, the （9th Japan-Canada） Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation was held in October 2005.

 Elsewhere, there are joint committees on science and technology with Germany, France, Italy, Finland, Norway, Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania based on science and technology cooperation agreements. Japan is implementing wide-ranging bilateral science and technology cooperation based on international agreements, including science and technology cooperation agreements with forty-two nations around the world, and promoting multilateral scientific, technological, and academic cooperation. At present, Japan is at the final stage for negotiations with the EU for concluding the Japan-EU Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement and is conducting negotiations with Switzerland to conclude a science and technology cooperation agreement.

3.4.1.4 Taking on International Programs

● Promotion of the Human Frontier Science Program （HFSP）

 The “Human Frontier Science Program （HFSP）” was proposed by Japan at the Venice Summit of June 1987, with the aim of promoting, through international cooperation, basic international joint research focused on the elucidation of the complex mechanisms of living organisms. With the addition of Australia and Korea, who joined this program in 2005, now a total of eleven nations are operating this program, including Japan, the United States, France, Germany, EU, Great Britain, Switzerland, Canada, and Italy.

 Based on the principles of “international cooperation among continents,” an “interdisciplinary approach to the life sciences,” and “youth-oriented” action, the International Human Frontier Science Program Organization （HFSPO） provides research grants to subsidize international joint research teams, fellowships to subsidize travel expenses, accommodation, and other expenses for young researchers conducting research abroad, and organizes meetings of HFSP grant recipients. In June 2005, the fifth award ceremony was held at the United States' National Institutes of Health, where about 150 researchers were in attendance.

 With a total of 11 HFSP grant recipients having later been awarded the Nobel Prize as of FY2005, the Program has been highly acclaimed worldwide. Japan has been actively supporting the Program since its inception.

● Cooperation under the International Science and Technology Center （ISTC）

 In March 1994, the United States, Japan, the EU （then the EC）, and the Russian Federation established the International Science and Technology Center （ISTC） in order to provide an opportunity for scientists and engineers from the former Soviet Union, possessing knowledge and skills related to weapons of mass destruction, to engage in peaceful activities and to contribute to the resolution of technology issues, both internationally and within the nations of the former Soviet Union.

 To date, a total of approximately 600 million dollars has been approved to initiate specific projects aimed at achieving the goals of the organization. Furthermore, over 60,000 researchers have been engaged in research activities.

 The number of projects supported by private-sector corporations as partner projects has also been increasing due to the high caliber and originality of science and technology in the former Soviet Union.

 Additionally, Japan is actively involved in the expansion of the number of new participants, including corporations, and in the implementation of projects that contribute to the resolution of global issues.

● International Space Station （ISS） Program

 The International Space Station （ISS） program participated by fifteen countries （Japan, the United States, the European Governments, Canada, and Russia） is the international cooperation project to construct a manned space facility at low Earth orbit with an altitude of approximately 400km. Japan is participating in this project through its development of the Japanese Experiment Module （JEM）, "Kibo," and a space-station supplier H- Transfer Vehicle （HTV）.

 In September 2005, the results of a review on the ISS project by the United States were reported to each participating party. According to the report, the Japanese Experiment Module （JEM）, "Kibo," would be launched by space shuttle in three phases, as promised before, while the launching of "Centrifuge" was canceled.

● ITER （International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor） Project

 The goal of the ITER project is to develop a tokamak experimental fusion reactor through international cooperative efforts, in order to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion energy, which is expected to become one of the future permanent energy sources for humanity. The project originated in 1985 from proposals by leaders of the United States and the former Soviet Union to promote international cooperation for research and development on nuclear fusion for peaceful purposes. Currently, seven parties are participating: Japan, China, EU, Republic of Korea, Russia, United States, and India. In addition, Japan plans to implement the Broader Approach parallel with ITER project, through cooperation with EU.

● The Large Hadron Collider （LHC） Project

 The LHC Project includes a huge circular accelerator whose circumference reaches 27 km, which is being constructed by the European Organization for Nuclear Research （CERN）. Protons and antiprotons are accelerated in opposite directions, almost to the speed of light, and they generate high energy interactions when protons collide. In this project unknown particles may be discovered, deepening our understanding of the internal structure of things. The construction is almost completed, with international cooperation among the CERN member states, Japan, United States, and other nations, so that the experiments could begin in 2007.

 In Japan, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology （MEXT） contributes to the fund for construction of the particle accelerator, anticipating its scientific significance as well as its potential to lead the creation of new industries.

● Integrated Ocean Drilling Program （IODP）

 The IODP is a program, under the direction of the United States and Japan, to explore the deep parts of the Earth using internationally operated vehicles such as American scientific drilling vessels and the Japanese riser drilling vessel "Chikyu," which, with a capability of drilling from the deep ocean floor to 7000 m below the bottom of the ocean, is anticipated to reach the earth's mantle. In April 2003, a memorandum was signed between the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the National Science Foundation of the United States, and the IODP began in October of the same year. According to this program, research on the deep parts of the Earth and inner strata is promoted; the project is thus expected to make contributions to our understanding of the global environmental changes, the structure of the inner Earth, etc., and possibly even lead to a discovery of an unknown biosphere and new resources.

 The basic design for "Chikyu" began in 1999, and the vessel was completed in July 2005. Since then, its operation has been undergoing shakedown and training for international operation for the IODP, which is to begin in September 2007.

3.4.2 Promoting International Research Exchanges

3.4.2.1 Promotion of International Research Activities

 It is necessary to gather superior human resources and the latest information in Japan, and internationalize science and technology activities in order to respond to challenges that human beings will be facing. To this end, Japan is promoting activities like joint international research and international conferences through programs such as the "Strategic International Cooperative Program," run by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, and the "Core University Program" run by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. In addition, since June 2005, Japan has been supporting the Strategic Fund for Establishing International Headquarters in Universities, and at the selected universities, the organizational structure has been modified to create interdisciplinary, cross-sectional bodies like an "international strategy headquarter" to coordinate the basis for promoting strategies for international activities.

3.4.2.2 Promotion of Researcher Exchanges

 For the development of science and technology as well as academic research, it is essential that Japan attracts many excellent researchers─both Japanese and foreign─to Japan, and to allow Japanese researchers to compete at a cutting-edge level at the international standard. For this purpose, various researcher-exchange programs are being carried out. Particularly promoted are the program, "Postdoctoral Fellowships for Foreign Researchers," which invites superior young foreign researchers to Japanese universities and research institutes to promote international exchange of young researchers who will pioneer future research, and the program, "Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research Abroad," （both programs by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science） which sends young Japanese researchers abroad to foreign universities and other research institutions abroad. Additionally, living environments of foreign researchers are also being improved, such as securing housing for them foreign researchers and providing them with living support.

 As a result of these measures, the number of foreign researchers invited, and Japanese researchers dispatched overseas, has been rising at Japanese universities and experimental research institutions （Figure 3-4-2）. By region, there are active researcher exchanges with Asia, Europe, and North America. In particular, there has been a drastic increase in the number of researchers going to various locations in Asia; in FY 2004, for the first time ever, the number in Asia exceeded the number of researchers in Europe （Figure 3-4-3）.

Figure 3-4-2 Progress of researcher exchanges in universities, research institutions, etc.

Note：
 "National universities, etc." indicates national universities, inter-university research institutes, national junior colleges, and national technical colleges. "Experimental research institutions, etc." indicates national experimental research institutions, incorporated administrative agencies, and public research and development corporations. Public and private universities and national junior colleges have been included in this research since FY1997. National technical colleges, national experimental research institutions, and public research and development corporations have been included since FY2000.

Source：
 MEXT. "Survey of International Exchange （FY2004）"

Figure 3-4-3 Researcher exchanges （dispatch and acceptance） by region