3.3 Reform of Japan’s Science and Technology System

3.3.5 Establishing Channels for Communication between Society and Science and Technology Activities

 Only when the significance of science and technology and its relation to daily life are well understood by citizens can long term utilization and progress in science and technology can be made. The support of citizens must be essential to the promotion of science and technology. Furthermore, science and technology should fundamentally progress in accordance with the interests of citizens. The individuals engaged in science and technology should always bear this in mind.

 Efforts should be made to ensure a deep understanding of science and technology among citizens so that people can judge various social issues in a scientific, rational, and independent manner.

3.3.5.1 Promoting the Study of Science and Technology

 In Japan, many observers indicate that the younger generation and many other members of society are growing further alienated from science and technology. In order to improve this situation, it is extremely critical to foster an interest and awareness of science and technology among the younger generation, and to create an environment that fosters science and technology-oriented human resources of a high standard.

（1） Promotion of Science and Vocational Education at the Elementary and Secondary Education Level

 The development of the socio-economy of Japan has been largely supported by science and technology. In light of the major role played by science and vocational education in such efforts, Japan strives to further enhance such education.

 The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is making expanded efforts to foster children’s scientific ways of looking at and thinking about the world around us. To this end, science education at the elementary and secondary education levels emphasize observation and experimentation, learning through pro-active investigation of topics, and learning through problem solving.

 Under the “Science Literacy Enhancement Initiative,” which started in FY2002, the Ministry has been implementing efforts such as the “Super Science High Schools,” which aims to develop curricula with an emphasis on science and mathematics, and conduct advanced science and mathematics education in collaboration with universities, the “Science Partnership Program,” which promotes collaboration between universities or science museums, etc., and elementary, junior and senior high schools for their working together in learning activities and teacher training, and expand opportunities for children to come into contact with science and technology, and the “Science and Mathematics Literacy Enhancement Model Area Program,” which aims to comprehensively combine educational resources such as local science museums and volunteers with schools playing a core rule, and expand opportunities for observation, experimentation and learning through pro-active investigation of topics, and learning through problem solving. In addition, the Ministry is proceeding with efforts supporting participation in International Science and Technology Contests, the development of digital materials for science and technology education that make use of the latest research results and their provision over the Internet, etc., and the planned development and expansion of science education equipment such as experimental equipment at schools.

 At the same time, in the area of vocational education, practical, hands-on learning has been further expanded in order to adequately respond to progress in an industrial society. To achieve this objective, training sessions and other meetings are being held in order to train instructors in new industrial technologies, and efforts are being made for the planned development and expansion of vocational education facilities and equipment at the high school level, in keeping with the new courses of study. Moreover, MEXT is newly implementing the “Aspire to be a Specialist!（Super Specialized Upper Secondary Schools）” program, which assigns specialized upper secondary schools such as industrial high schools that will be engaged in education adopting cutting-edge technologies and skills in coordination with industry and research institutions, etc. in the region.

 The prefectural and district boards of education are making good use of scientists, engineers, and other individuals who do not have a teacher certificate─but who do have exceptional knowledge and experience─to serve as special part-time teachers in order to support opportunities for children to learn directly from experts in their respective fields.

 Additionally, instruction in specialized subjects has been enhanced by making it possible for junior and senior high school teachers who have greater expertise and skills in teaching specific subjects to provide instruction in science and other subjects at elementary schools.

（2） Technical College Education

 With the unprecedented growth of science and technology in recent years, there have been major changes in the makeup of basic scientific knowledge that students need to acquire at the university level. There has also been an increase in the number of issues that require ethical judgments, including global environmental problems and life science fields, such as genetic engineering. For this reason, students specializing in disciplines other than science and technology must also acquire knowledge related to the natural sciences, and must foster an ability to make judgments in a broad range of fields based on this knowledge. Those students who are majoring in any subject within science and technology must acquire a broad range of scientific knowledge and ability to make judgments above and beyond their major of choice.

 In light of this situation, it is critical to strive to cultivate in students an ability to make judgments from a broad perspective, by expanding the realm of general education. With the support of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, universities are actively engaged in efforts such as the establishment of courses of study with interdisciplinary and comprehensive content, in addition to courses of study made up of seminars with small groups of students, and classroom study that incorporates internships and volunteer activities.

（3） Increasing the Public’s Understanding of Science and Technology

 The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology is implementing measures to promote the increased understanding of science and technology, through the holding of public lectures on science and technology at universities and colleges, and through the development and expansion of the University of the Air that offers courses in science and technology. The Ministry also supports symposiums and science lectures which aims to disseminate, in an easy-to-understand manner, information about research trends and research contents in fields which are considered to be of high interest to young people or adults in the general population. Additionally, the Ministry is implementing specialized training for museum specialists employed at science museums, etc., in order to improve their level. Also, by dispatching expert staff such as curators to science and other museums in foreign countries for training, it is expected that they will obtain sophisticated expert knowledge and skills.

 The National Science Museum conducts learning support programs─such as science classes and experimentation courses for young people or general adults─that serve to deepen the understanding of science and technology. Specifically, the Museum started the University Partnership Project in FY2005 with the aim of improving students’ science literacy and science communications capabilities. The project included free admission for students and deliberations for science communicator training in coordination with universities.

 The Japan Science and Technology Agency is developing pioneering exhibition methods that allows the visitors to feel familiar to and experience state-of-the-art science and technology. It is also engaged in the operation of the “National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation,” a comprehensive base for transmitting information on cutting-edge science technologies. In this National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, the latest research results and details, which are often regarded as too difficult, are explained in an easily understood manner by employing methods such as interactive exhibitions, experiments and projected images, and allocating many interpreters （commentators）. Through these activities, the Japan Science and Technology Agency is trying to activate interactive communication between society and science and technology, as well as fostering human resources for science and technology communication who support these activities. In addition, it is striving to The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency （JAXA） is providing various experiential learning programs such as the “Cosmic College” and the “Space School,” in order to implement educational support activities with the aim of getting the young people and children who will lead the next generation to raise their interest in space science and other science, and spreading a network of science-loving children.

 In FY2005, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries implemented the hands-on learning program of advanced agroforestry research targeted at elementary and junior high school students at the Tsukuba Agriculture and Forestry Research Complex.

3.3.5.2 Establishing Channels for Communication with Society

 In order to promote science and technology, it is necessary to deepen the understanding of science and technology by citizens. For this reason, efforts are being made to implement various events related to science and technology, to open up research institutes to the public, and to enhance the functions of museums, science centers, etc. In addition, efforts are being made to expand the opportunities for disseminating science and technology in an understandable manner, using the media and other means. Furthermore, at the regional level, efforts are being made to foster and secure personnel who will shoulder the task of describing science and technology-related matters in an understandable manner, and conveying to experts involved in science and technology the science and technology-related opinions of regional citizens.

（1） Providing Opportunities for Better Familiarity with Science and Technology

 It is critical to provide diverse opportunities for the citizens and youth in particular to deepen their familiarity with science and technology, in order to create a societal environment that embraces a familiarity and strong interest in science and technology.

● Efforts utilizing multimedia

 The Japan Science and Technology Agency （JST） is engaged in the production of visual programs for presentation on the “Science Channel,” which transmits information to the public about science and technology via CS （Communications Satellite） broadcasting, cable TV and the internet. The JST also uses the latest computer technology to provide science and technology information through a “Virtual Science Center”.

● Other events

 The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology （MEXT） is implementing a variety of promotion activities, including broadcast of television and radio programs; production, and distribution of commercials; publications; and the sponsoring of various seminars related to science and technology. During commemorative weeks such as “Science and Technology Week,” “Atomic Energy Day,” and “Space Day,” MEXT implements various nationwide events in cooperation with affiliated organizations, as well as conducting PR activities by government publicity through television and radio programs. During Science and Technology Week in FY2005, MEXT held the “Science Cafe” in Marunouchi, Tokyo, and created and distributed a poster which introduced the leading-edge uses of each element under a campaign titled, “One Sheet for a Family, the Periodic Table of the Elements.” Many events were also held at research facilities, science museums and other institutions across the country, including the opening of research facilities to the general public, science and technology experiment classrooms, etc. These events were held with the cooperation of various science and technology-related organizations.

● Support for hands-on activities

 The “Children’s Dream Fund,” established by the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center （since April 1, 2006, the National Institution for Youth Education）, is providing support for children’s science activities and other experiential activities conducted by private-sector groups.

 In addition, the National Science Museum registers “Science Volunteers” who can lend a hand as lecturers or give instruction in experiments at events or exhibitions related to science and technology. That information is then provided over the Internet.

 Additionally, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology implements pre-admission familiarization programs at universities and colleges of technology, in order to share information with youth and society concerning the enjoyment of science and engineering-related fields.

● Opening of universities and research institutions to the public

 Increasing numbers of university research institutions and inter-university research institutes are opening their doors to the public by introducing their research activities, holding lectures, and other meetings. For example, the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan holds a “Regular Stargazing Program” using the 50 cm Telescope for the Social Education. These meetings are held twice a month for the general public and youth. In addition, the Institute of Industrial Science （IIS）, University of Tokyo offers tours for the general public, and junior and senior high school students in particular, as well as exhibitions of research exchanges between industry and academia.

 Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has established the Tsukuba Agriculture Research Gallery, which provides exhibits on up-to-date results and achievements from agriculture, forestry, and fisheries technologies, with the aim of information dissemination and awareness. In addition to permanent exhibits, specially planned exhibits have been held since FY2003. The National Agriculture and Bio-oriented Research Organization is striving to disseminate research results by implementing the dispatch of the “Research Result Caravan” and other activities.

● Children’s White Paper on Science and Technology

 Since FY1999, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology issues the “Children’s White Paper on Science and Technology” every year, picking up a timely theme such as life science and space development, and explaining it in an easy-to-understand manner using comics. “Children’s White Paper on Science and Technology” is released in full on the website of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. It is also distributed to elementary schools, public libraries and science museums nationwide, and is sold in government publications service centers and other places.

 The latest issue, published in March 2006, has “Disaster Prevention Technology” as its theme, and explains, in an easy-to-understand manner, science and technology related to natural disasters centered on earthquakes from the viewpoint of “learning about and predicting” natural disasters, “protecting” ourselves, and “saving” ourselves from damage by using comics, photos, and an attached CD-ROM.

（2） Awards for science and technology

 An effective measure for promoting science and technology is to encourage research and development through recognition for inventions and awards for outstanding service in science and technology.

 Therefore, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology gives an award to those who recently made notable achievements in the science and technology fields in Japan. In FY2005, 89 achievements were selected for the science and technology award and 162 people were commended. The number of the recipients by categories is 19 items and 51 people for development merits, 31 items and 54 people for research merits, one item and one person for contributions in science and technology promotion, 25 items and 36 people for technology merits, and 13 items and 20 people for contributions to the promotion of understanding. Additionally, 63 people were selected for the young scientist award, 984 people for ingenuity merits, and 21 schools for making notable achievements in fostering the ingenuity of elementary and junior high school students.

 In order to address the decreasing interest in industrial technology and the distant trend away from science and technology in the younger generation, since FY1993, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has been carrying out fact-finding surveys on innovations in industrial technology and other programs, by evaluating and preserving industrial technologies, in order to ensure that these technologies are passed on to the youth who will be responsible for the future. As a part of this effort, the Ministry supported the “Industrial Technology History Exhibition: Technofesta 21” project, held in August 1997 as a joint effort among industry, academia, and the government. Furthermore, since 1993, the Ministry has implemented a “Dream Chemistry 21” campaign that consists of university chemistry experiments and other activities, with the aim of passing on chemistry technology to the younger generation who will lead in the 21st century.

 3.3.5.3 Establishing an Ethical Code of Conduct for Researchers and Engineers

 Science and technology support people’s lives and develop society, but at the same time they can exercise considerable influence over the entire globe. Therefore, if ethical misconduct occurs in science and technology, it is a critical problem in that such behavior may not only seriously affect people’s lives and welfare, but result in harming human dignity. The Science Council of Japan conducted a deliberation on the prevention of misconduct in research processes including fabrication, falsification and plagiarism, and compiled the re-port, “Misconduct in Science, Present Status and Countermeasure” in July 2005. The proposals made in the report called on individual scientists to observe high ethical standards, and asked research institutions, academic societies and other entities to prepare their own code of ethics, etc. In accordance with the report, the Science Council of Japan established a committee to study the drawing up of a specific code of conduct for scientists, and started discussions in December 2005. At the same time, in February 2006, the “Special Committee on Scientific Misconduct” was established in the Council for Science and Technology at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and survey and deliberations to respond to misconduct in research activities utilizing competitive funds are conducted.