Type: INT 97-27 **NSF/Tokyo Report: JAPANESE GOVERNMENT SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY BUDGET Fiscal Year 1997**

Org: INT

Date: 6/30/97

Replaces: None

The National Science Foundation\'s offices in Tokyo and in Paris
periodically report on developments abroad that are related to the
Foundation\'s mission. These documents present facts for the use of NSF
program managers and policy makers; they are not statements of NSF
policy.

**JAPANESE GOVERNMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BUDGET**

**Fiscal Year 1997**

**I. OVERVIEW**

On July 2, 1996, the Japanese government approved the Basic Plan for
Science and Technology to implement the Science and Technology Basic Law
enacted in November 1995. The goal of the Basic Plan is to restructure
Japan\'s S&T system to make it more innovative, cost-efficient, and
improve the research environment for scientists and engineers.

In support of these objectives, the Basic Plan called for the government
to spend 17 trillion yen during the 1996-2000 time frame on R&D, about
155 billion dollars at 110 yen to the dollar.

The total of the FY 1997 S&T-related budget is 3,002.8 billion yen
(about US\$27.3 billion). This represents an increase of 191.8 billion
yen (US\$1.7 billion) or 6.8% over FY 1996 initial budget of 2,810.7
billion yen; a rate of increase apparently falling short of the
requisite level of increase (about 11% or more per year on the average)
to achieve the 17 trillion-yen goal. However, according to the Science
and Technology Agency (STA), an additional 157 billion yen was provided
as part of the supplementary budget for FY\'96, which could be regarded
as a sort of front-loading of government budgetary commitments for this
fiscal year.

The total, 3,002.8 billion yen, represents 3.88% of the aggregate total
of Japanese government budget for FY\'97 (77,390 billion yen), as
compared to 3.74% in the previous fiscal year.

The table below shows an agency-to-agency comparison of FY\'97 S&T
budget of the Japanese government (in million yen).

Ministries and Agencies JFY 1996 JFY 1997 % of total

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Min.of Education, Sci.

& Culture 1,241,241 1,288,963 42.9%

Science and Tech. Agency 692,800 734,486 24.5%

Min.Int\'l.Trade&Industry 421,349 472,380 15.7%

Defense Agency 165,279 175,340 5.8%

Min.Agri.,Forestry & Fish. 94,944 100,881 3.4%

Ministry of Health&Welfare 75,146 91,512 3.0%

Min.of Posts & Telecom. 47,198 57,677 1.9%

Ministry of Construction 33,716 38,933 1.3%

Ministry of Transport 23,147 23,120 0.8%

Environment Agency 17,017 17,985 0.6%

Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12,080 12,987 0.4%

Ministry of Labor 3,744 4,338 0.1%

Ministry of Finance 1,859 2,170 0.1%

Ministry of Justice 1,437 2,014 0.1%

National Police Agency 1,439 1,516 0.05%

Science Council of Japan 1,177 1,350 0.05%

Economic Planning Agency 1,008 1,065 0.04%

Ministry of Home Affairs 758 771 0.03%

National Diet 564 592 0.02%

National Land Agency 379 473 0.02%

Hokkaido Development Agency 169 211 0.01%

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

TOTOAL\*\* 2,810,452 3,002,762 100.0%

\*\* Note: The sum of the individual budget figures slightly exceeds the
total because funds for the Japan Key Technology Center are
double-listed in the budgets for the Ministry of International Trade and
Industry and the Ministry of Posts and telecommunications.

II. **TO FOLLOW THROUGH THE BASIC PLAN FOR S&T**

The Basic Plan for Science and Technology suggested several specific
goals for the government to meet over the next five or ten year period.
Described below are some of the actions being taken with funds allocated
in this fiscal year.

**1. Increasing Mobility of Researchers**

Whereas the Basic Plan for Science and Technology specifically called
for a) improvement in researcher mobility between the government,
private and university sectors; and for b) launching a tenure system
into the government laboratories and national universities, the
Personnel Authority recommended to the government in March 1997 a plan
to 1) \"invite\" some of those senior scientists who have already
demonstrated outstanding research capabilities to serve as a research
leader in a government laboratory for a fixed term of 5 years at
preferential pay scale, and also 2) to recruit much younger researchers
to engage in such research activities as useful in further enhancing
their research career for the future again for a fixed-term of 3 years
in principle. Based on these recommendations, a bill was passed on May
28, 1997 to permit government laboratories to hire researchers for fixed
terms and to set up preferential pay scales for them. While this
particular law is applicable only to those to be hired in government
laboratories, another bill was passed last week (June 13, 1997) to
permit national universities also to establish similar \"fixed-term
appointment\" systems, although specifics such as the exact terms of
appointment and other conditions for employment are left to be decided
by each university concerned. With the enactment of these new laws,
mobility of researchers is likely to increase between government,
industry and universities, or even within the same sector.

Monbusho has set aside 409 million yen in FY\'97 budget to finance part
of research expenditures and other associated costs for those to be
hired under the fixed-term appointment system, although their salaries
are paid out of funds allocated to each university for personnel
expenditures.

Along the same line, STA has set aside 371 million yen in the FY\'97
budget to provide special research funds for those individuals (about 20
individuals including both the senior and the younger researchers, to
begin with in 1997) who will be hired by government laboratories under
the new \"fixed-term appointment system.\"

**2. Expansion of \"New Systems\" for R&D Support**

Another goal called for by the Basic Plan for Science and Technology was
to develop new competitive systems for funding R&D. Last year several
ministries launched the so-called \"New Systems for Supporting Basic
Research.\" In the past, construction bonds were used almost exclusively
for funding infrastructure projects like roads and bridges. Arguing that
investing in R&D is analogous to infrastructure investments, i.e.,
future generations are the primary beneficiaries, Japan\'s R&D community
successfully lobbied to have certain categories of R&D treated as
\"investment expenditures\" so that they would be eligible for deficit
funding by \"construction bonds.\" When this was approved for the first
time last year (FY\'96), six ministries/agencies launched new programs
for financing basic research projects with funds raised by
\"construction bonds.\"

While most of the new programs under this scheme are to solicit research
proposals from individual researchers or groups of researchers for open
competition, the \"Research for the Future\" program of the Ministry of
Education, Science, Sports and Culture (Monbusho), which is implemented
by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), is designed to
have committees decide research themes as well as the groups of
researchers to be supported.

To follow the six programs started last year, two other agencies have
announced this year to launch similar programs for competitive research
support in areas of their missions. They are: 1) the new program for
research support in areas of transportation systems, sponsored by the
Ministry of Transport, and 2) a new program for supporting basic
research on \"the environment for the future\" with funds provided by
the Environment Agency.

The table below shows a summary of the 8 R&D support systems noted
above:

New Programs for Basic Research FY\'96 FY\'97

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

1\) Core Research for Evolutionary (In million yen)

Science and Technology - CREST 15,000 24,000

(JST/STA)

2\) Research for the Future Program: 11,000 20,600

(JSPS/Monbusho)

3\) Program for the Promotion of Basic

Research in Health and Medical Care: 1,016 2,957

(Organization for Drug ADR Relief/

MHW)

4\) Basic Research for the Creation of

New Agricultural Technologies and

Industries: 1,982 3,723

(MAFF/BRAIN)

5\) Innovative Industrial Technology

R&D Promotion Program: 2,650 4,700

(MITI/NEDO)

6\) Systems for Basic Research in the

Field of Info-Communications: 480 800

(MPT/TAO)

7\) Promotion of Research on Land-,

Sea- and Air-transport Systems,

Facilities and Equipment: 0 300

(MOT/Transp. Facilities Corp.)

8\) Promotion of Basic Research in Areas

related to Environmental protection

(Environment Agency) 0 200

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Total: 32,128 57,280

(In million yen)

**3. R&D Review Systems**

Another goal suggested in the Basic Plan for Science and Technology was
to develop \"impartial\" and systematic review procedures for R&D.

5.  Although a number of individual research institutes or agencies have
    their own research review systems, often with experts from outside
    participating in the review processes, the Prime Minister\'s Council
    for Science and Technology established a sub-committee in October
    1996 to develop a set of guidelines for the government to use in
    having government-financed R&D projects reviewed by impartial
    reviewers. Upon completion of the subcommittee deliberations, the
    Prime Minister\'s Council will submit a formal recommendation to the
    government.

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5.  To support this effort, STA has allocated 37 million yen (0 in 1996)
    in FY\'97.

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5.  Also, MITI has allocated 700 million yen in FY\'97 (0 in 1996) to
    initiate its own programs to develop systems for fair and impartial
    evaluation of its R&D projects.

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4.  **To Increase the Number of Foreign Researchers in Japan**

Encouraging more foreign researchers to participate in Japanese R&D was
another goal suggested in the Basic Plan for Science and Technology, and
several agencies are taking actions to pursue this goal.

5.  Monbusho has proposed to increase the number of foreign participants
    in the so-called \"Monbusho Summer Program\" under the Monbusho
    Research Experience Fellowships for Young Foreign Researchers,
    four-fold to 80 this year from 20 in 1996. In response, 74 foreign
    graduate students (17 from Germany, 16 from U.K., 2 from France and
    29 from U.S.A including 24 recommended by NSF/NIH/ARC) have been
    selected to participate.

6.  JSPS fellowships for foreign researchers are increased to 680 in
    total in FY\'97 (from 420 fellowships in 1996).

7.  Likewise, STA fellowships for foreign postdoctoral fellows have
    increased to 410 in FY\'97 (from 340 fellowships in 1996).

**5. Information Highway**

Upgrading the information highway and database capabilities of the
universities and national laboratories was another important goal
suggested in the Basic Plan for Science and Technology.

5.  IM-Net: In 1994, STA initiated an experimental project to develop an
    \"Inter-Ministerial Network for R&D in Science and Technology,\"
    nicknamed \"IM-Net,\" to explore the possibility of connecting
    computers and databases of various government agencies and research
    institutes for mutual access and utilization. As of January 1997,
    this experimental project was re-started as a regular inter-agency
    R&D network service, with the Japan Science and Technology
    Corporation (JST) assuming its operational responsibility. To this
    end, 937 million yen (431 million yen in 1996) was allocated in
    FY'97 budget.

6.  Besides the IM-Net project noted above, JST continues all other
    information service projects initiated by its predecessor
    organization, the Japan Information Center of Science and Technology
    (JICST), while developing and expanding a variety of new R&D
    databases and other information \"contents\" for distribution
    through its computer networks. 6,072 million yen was allocated in
    FY'97 for these activities (5,626 million yen in 1996).

7.  As regards information network service for university scientists,
    the National Center of Science Information Systems (NACSIS) of
    Monbusho continues to be the central organization in Japan. NACSIS
    develops and operates the NACSIS Science Information Network Service
    for all the universities and academic research institutes in this
    country, including abstracting and indexing services of scientific
    journals, S&T database services, as well as inter-library lending
    service through computer network for access to books and journals
    maintained in major university libraries in Japan. For these
    activities, 7,024 million yen was allocated by Monbusho. (5,752
    million yen in 1996).

8.  As for use of high performance computers for scientific research in
    universities, Monbusho has already established 7 large-scale
    computer centers, 23 general information processing centers, and 49
    information processing centers; all in national universities or
    inter-university research institutes. In FY'97, a supercomputer in
    Tohoku University's large-scale computer center will be upgraded to
    a new supercomputer. Monbusho will also establish two new \"general
    information processing centers,\" one in Yamanashi University and
    the other in Yamagata University. Also, Fukui Medical College will
    have its \"information processing center\" established this fiscal
    year. To support these projects, 23,284 million yen was allocated in
    1997 (21,374 million yen in 1996)

9.  Another project being promoted by Monbusho is the development of
    digital libraries in universities. For example, in FY\'97 Monbusho
    will support digital library projects in 3 national universities;
    Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), University of
    Tsukuba, and Kyoto Univeristy. Monbusho\'s budget for this purpose
    in FY\'97 is 261 million yen (170 million yen in 1996).

10. MITI continues to support its Real-World Computing (RWC) Project in
    order to explore new generation information processing technologies
    for the 21st century. 6,077 million yen was allocated in FY'97
    (6,012 million yen in 1996).

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6.  **Government-Industry-University Cooperation**

Whereas the Basic Plan calls for the promotion of greater cooperation
between private and public sector R&D, several measures are being
implemented under the FY\'97 budget:

\- STA will launch a new program to support large-scale joint research
projects between local industry, universities and government, so as to
help develop \"centers of excellence\" at local regional levels. To this
end, 1,829 million was allocated. (0 in 1996).

\- MITI\'s Innovative Industrial Technology R&D Promotion Program, which
was started last year as one of the new initiatives of the government to
promote basic research by way of utilizing funds raised by construction
bonds, is uniquely designed to promote cooperation of universities,
government laboratories and private companies. As already noted, MITI
has allocated 4,700 million yen for this program in FY\'97 (2,650
million yen in 1996).

\- MITI has allocated 1,300 million this year (0 in 1996) to assist
local governments in establishing cooperative research facilities at
local regional levels so as to promote research cooperation of
universities, government laboratories and private industries.

\- MITI has established a \"Committee for the Promotion of
Industry-University Cooperation\" to develop an effective scheme for
increasing research cooperation between universities and industry. To
this end, 25 million yen was allocated in FY\'97 (25 million yen in
1996).

\- MITI has allocated in FY\'97 a total of 2,036 million yen (0 in 1996)
to support such research projects as vital to local economy, through R&D
consortia to be established by universities, companies and government
laboratories in the region.

\- MITI will help establish so-called \"Welfare Techno Houses\" at
various locations throughout the country as \"cooperative research
facilities\" for researchers from universities, private companies and
government laboratories to work in joint projects in the specific area
of medical and welfare equipment R&D.

\- Monbusho has been supporting establishment of \"university-industry
cooperative research centers\" at national universities ever since 1987,
and in FY\'97 two new centers will be added, one at Hirosaki University
and another at Kyushu Institute of Design, to bring the total number of
such \"centers\" to 49.

\- Monbusho expects the number of \"contract research projects\" to be
carried out by university faculty members under contract with private
companies or other external organizations will increase significantly in
FY\'97 in view of the fact that many of the research projects supported
under the \"New Systems for R&D\" (ref. section II.2 above) of various
other ministries and agencies will also be carried out by university
scientists as commissioned research. According to Monbusho, the total
amount of funds to be expended by university scientists for such
commissioned research (including contract research for private
companies) will increase to 41,853 million yen in FY\'97 (from 28,784
milion yen in 1996).

\- Monbusho has allocated 531 million yen in FY\'97 (496 million yen in
1996) to permit researchers from private companies to get graduate-level
research training in national universities.

**III. PROGRAMS FOR MULTIPLE-AGENCY SUPPORT**

As noted above, many programs targeted for major budget increases this
year are those designed to meet the specific priorities set forth in the
Basic Plan for Science and Technology. However, there are other
\"priority programs\" identified as important for several agencies to
share support. Examples are as follows:

**1. Brain Research**

Given that brain research is considered critical in elucidating,
preventing, and curing neural and mental diseases, and also in utilizing
the information from brain studies for possible application in the
development of new information processing technologies, the Science
Council of Japan recommended in April 1996 the promotion of studies in
brain science. In view of their recommendation, and also because of
similar recommendations from STA\'s own study committee, an integrated
brain research program has been launched primarily by STA with
collaboration of several other ministries/agencies. The total government
expenditure planned for FY\'97 for R&D in brain science areas amounts to
14,949 million yen (3,700 million yen in 1996). Of this total, 9,943
million yen (2,508 million yen in 1996) is financed as part of STA\'s
budget, including 7,337 million yen (2,508 million yen in 1996) for the
construction of a \"brain research center\" in the Institute for
Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN).

**2. Research on Global Environmental Changes**

Elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for global climate change is
expected to lead to the development of effective countermeasures to cope
with climatic changes as well as to help prevent natural disasters and
promote efficient use of limited resources. This notion underlined the
recommendation issued in July 1996 by the Panel on Global S&T under the
Council for Aeronautics, Electronics and Other Advanced Technologies,
calling for government strategies to study global-scale phenomena. In
response to this recommendation, a new program has been started to
develop the so-called \"Earth simulator,\" which is a new supercomputer
system and software to be developed for numerical simulation studies of
various global-scale phenomena, at computational speeds of as much as
1000 times the speed of existing supercomputers in Japan. This project
will be implemented jointly by the National Space Development Agency
(NASDA) and the Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel Development Corporation
(PNC). (PNC is involved due to its interest in environmental
implications of nuclear wastes). To start this 5-year project, 1,629
million yen (0 yen in 1996) has been allocated in FY\'97. The total
project cost is estimated at about 40 billion yen over 5 years.

\- In addition, STA has launched a new \"Global Research Frontier
System\" for global change prediction studies with scientists
participating from both within and outside Japan. The studies will be
focused on basic and interdisciplinary research on air-sea interactions,
and implemented through the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center
(JAMSTEC). The FY\'97 budget for this new program is 1,395 million yen
(0 in 1996).

\- MITI supports R&D on \"innovative global environmental protection
technologies through the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for
the Earth (RITE), and has allocated 9,706 million yen in FY\'97 (9,074
in 1996). Included in this program are studies on \"biological
CO2-fixation and utilization,\" \"development of environmentally
friendly catalysts,\" and others.

\- MITI also spends 860 million yen in FY97 (790 million yen in 1996) to
develop new CFC-alternative materials to replace the ozone-layer
destructive CFCs, and also spends 117 million yen in FY97 (135 million
yen in 1996) to develop technologies for decomposing specific CFCs in
such a way as to prevent discharge of any harmful substances during the
CFC-disposal processes.

\- Another project to be supported by MITI is the development of
technologies useful in recycling resources in ways \"friendly\" to the
environment. To this end, MITI has allocated 9,479 million yen (8,567
million yen in 1996).

\[Note: The total government-wide \"environmental protection\" related
S&T budget is estimated at 583.6 billion yen in FY\'97 (as compared to
568.8 billion yen in 1996) including the following:

FY\'96 FY\'97

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Global environmental protection-

related expenditures: 131.8 134.0

R&D on satellites and other

telecommunications: 48.3 55.2

Energy-related counter-measures: 388.8 394.4

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Total: 568.8 583.6 (in billion yen) \]

**3. Cancer Research**

For cancer research, the combined total of FY\'97 funds allocated by the
Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW), STA as well as funds for
universities under Monbusho, the so-called \"10-year Anti-cancer
Strategies\" of the government, amounts to 18,982 million yen in FY 1997
(21,424 million yen in 1996) as follows:

FY\'96 FY\'97

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

\(1\) Special projects on priority

research themes: 9,316 10,530

\(2\) Improvement of research

systems for cancer research: 8,827 5,247

\(3\) Training of young researchers: 0 248

\(4\) Promotion of international

research cooperation: 782 793

\(5\) Improvement of research

supporting systems: 904 738

\(6\) Integrated support system

for cancer medical care: 1,358 1,427

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Total: 21,424 18,982

(In million yen)

**4. Expansion of Postdoctoral Fellowships:**

The number of research fellowships funded for doctorate or postdoctorate
research continues to increase in FY 1997, as one measure to achieve the
goal of at least 10,000 fellowships to be made available by the year
2000. Whereas the majority of fellowships are provided by Monbusho
through JSPS, fellowships are also provided by STA and MITI. The table
below shows the total number of fellowships provided by the three
agencies in FY\'96 and FY\'97:

No. of Fellowships: FY1996 FY1997 FY2000

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Monbusho (and JSPS): 4,556 5,701 ?

STA: 1,168 1,566 ?

MITI: 214 375 ?

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Total: 6,028 7,642 10,000

**5. Human Frontier Science Program**

The international Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) was established
in 1989 to help promote basic research in brain science and molecular
biology. Over the past 7 years, 277 international research groups have
been supported with HFSP research grants, and 935 individual scientists
have been awarded long-term fellowships. Japan contributes 80% of the
total annual costs of this program, as financed jointly by MITI and STA.
To this end, MITI and STA have allocated budgets as follows:

FY\'96 FY\'97

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

MITI 1,439 1,599

STA 2,123 2,399

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Total: 3,562 3,998

(In million yen)

**IV. STA BUDGET**

As stated before, the total FY'97 S&T budget of STA is 734.5 billion
yen, or 24.5% of the total S&T budget of the government. Besides being
the S&T policy coordination agency for the government (except for
university research), STA is also responsible for supporting R&D in
three big science areas, 1) nuclear energy, 2) space development and 3)
ocean development. Also, in recent years, STA has been active in
promoting materials research, life sciences, and so forth. Described
below are examples of some of the major programs supported by STA.

1.  **Space Development**

In the area of \"space development,\" 185,956 million yen has been
allocated by various agencies in total including the following: (Note:
Funds for space scientific studies under Monbusho budget are NOT
included).

Agencies: FY 1996 FY 1997 Change

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

NASDA 172,999 175,883 1.7%

National Aerospace Laboratory 4,323 2,732 -36.8%

Other STA-related programs 455 746 64.0%

Environment Agency 820 906 10.6%

AIST/MITI 84 48 -42.7%

Japan Meteorological Agency 4,740 5,092 7.4%

Inst. of Electronic Navigation 6 11 92.4%

Communication Research Lab. 2,530 3,348 32.3%

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Total: 185,956 188,767 1.5%

As shown above, NASDA continues to be the primary Japanese agency
responsible for space R&D, with its annual budget accounting for 93% of
all the government budget for space development activities. NASDA\'s
FY\'97 projects include the following:

-   Development of Satellites:

> \(1\) Communication-broadcasting technology
>
> satellite: 4,730 million yen in 1997 (10,713 million yen in 1996); for
> launching in FY 1997
>
> \(2\) Technology testing satellite, VII: 11,946 million yen (9,817
> million yen in 1996), for launching in FY 1997
>
> \(3\) Tropical rainfall measuring mission satellite: 5,646 million yen
> (3,630 million yen in 1996), for launching in FY 1997
>
> \(4\) Environmental observation technology satellite: 12,946 million
> yen (9,896 million yen in 1996); for launching in FY 1999
>
> \(5\) Data relaying technology satellite: 2,382

million yen (1,589 million yen in 1996), to be launched

in year 2000

\(6\) R&D on equipment to be installed on \"mission

demonstration\" satellites: 110 million yen (82 million

yen in 1996)

\(7\) Optical inter-orbit communications

engineering test satellites: 3,451 million yen (2,554

million yen in 1996), to be launched in 2000

\(8\) Development of unmanned winged transfer and

return vehicle: 10,478 million yen (8,519 million yen

in 1996), to be tested in 2000

> \(9\) Improved high performance microwave radiation
>
> measuring systems: 293 million yen (0 yen in 1996)

\(10\) Land area observation technology satellite:

1,831 million yen (1,117 million yen in 1996), to be

launched in 2001

\(11\) Engineering test satellite, VIII: 248 million

yen (84 million yen in 1996), to be launched in 2002

-   Development of launching rockets

\(1\) Re-ignition tests of the upper stage for H-II

rocket system: 1,450 million yen (842 million yen in

1996\)

\(2\) H-IIA rocket (2,055 -\> 11,743 million yen)

-   Space Station project: 36,043 million yen (44,286 million yen in
    1996)

**2. Ocean Development**

JAMSTEC continues to serve as the primary agency responsible for R&D in
ocean sciences. JAMSTEC\'s FY\'97 budget is 24,030 million yen in total
(20,507 million yen in 1996).

JAMSTEC will take over the new oceanographic research vessel \"Mirai\",
in September 1997 when the ship\'s conversion from a nuclear-powered
experimental vessel will be completed. JAMSTEC will also carry out
various other research projects utilizing its deep-sea submarine
\"Shinkai 6500\", the deep-sea research vessel \"Kairei\" and the
unmanned 10000-meter-depth underwater explorer \"Kaiko\" as follows:

-   JAMSTEC\'S Major Projects:

\(1\) R&D by use of deep-sea submarines: 7,102

million yen (5,482 million yen in 1996)

> Deep sea studies by the deep-sea research submarines, \"Shinkai
> 2000\", \"Shinkai 6500\" and the unmanned explorer \"Kaiko\" and their
> mother ships)

\(2\) Ecological studies on living organisms and

microorganisms in deep-sea environment: 410 million yen

(403 million yen in 1996)

\(3\) Research on the Kuroshio current: 143 million

yen (143 million yen in 1996)

\(4\) Oceanographic observation studies: 6,777

million yen (6,921 million yen in 1996)

The total FY 1997 budget for ocean development programs (excluding those
of university-based research supported by Monbusho) will be 24,030
million yen (as against 20,507 million yen in 1996), as shown below:

Agencies: FY 1996 FY 1997 Change

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

STA 19,903 23,485 3,581

Environment Agency 353 320 -33

MAFF 131 138 7

MITI 73 59 -14

Ministry of Transport 46 28 -18

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Total: 20,507 24,030 3,522

(In million yen)

**3. Nuclear Energy R&D**

STA\'s total budget related to \"energy\" in FY 1997 amounts to 320,000
million yen (319,619 million yen in 1996), primarily for R&D for
peaceful utilization of nuclear energy, as follows:

\(1\) Strengthening of nuclear safety measures - 50,774

million yen (49,926 million yen in 1996)

\(2\) Increasing people\'s understanding on nuclear

energy - 29,948 million yen (26,958 million yen in

1996\)

\(3\) Measures for nuclear non-proliferation - 6,700

million yen (6,682 million yen in 1996)

\(4\) Development of technologies for establishing

Japan\'s nuclear fuel cycle - 135,791 million yen

(139,077 million yen in 1996)

\(5\) Participation in International Thermonuclear

Fusion Experiment Reactor (ITER) Project, and

promotion of R&D on new oil-alternative energy

resources - 32,863 million yen (35,699 million yen

in 1996).

**4. Development of New Generation Structural Materials**

STA has launched new R&D project to develop \"super-strength\"
structural materials based on steel, to achieve twice as much strength
and material life as any existing steel structural materials. To this
end, a new \"Frontier Structural Material R&D Laboratory\" will be
established within the National Research Institute for Metals (NRIM) in
Tsukuba. In this project, studies will be carried out through
collaboration of researchers from government, universities and private
companies for integrated research on related technologies such as fine
structural control, bonding optimization, and high-resistance surface
processing technologies. In FY\'97, 2,126 million yen was allocated for
the first year ( 0 yen in 1996).

**5. Super-sonic Air Transport System Development**

Development of a new generation super-sonic air transporter to replace
the current \"Concorde\" for commercial air service will have to be
started as an international project as early as at the turn of the
century. So that it will be possible for Japan to make more positive
technical contribution in such an international project, the National
Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) will start an R&D project on a small-sized
experimental aircraft with super-sonic engines. The first-year budget
for this project is 1,662 million ( 0 yen in 1996).

**6. Spring-8 Project**

To provide a powerful tool for studying the structure of matter and
various physical, chemical, and biological processes, an 8-GeV
synchrotron radiation facility has been under construction at Harima in
Hyogo Prefecture since 1987 as a joint project of RIKEN and the Japan
Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI). It is expected that this
facility, called \"Spring-8\" (Super Photon Ring 8 GeV) will be ready
for commissioning later this year for use by scientists not only from
within Japan but broadly from the world over. FY\'97 budget for this
project is 19,260 million yen (16,683 million yen in 1996).

**7. Earthquake Research**

The National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster
Prevention (NIED) of STA continues its \"Earthquake Frontier Research\"
program for research on earthquake mechanisms through studies on crustal
deformations and other precursor phenomena as it was allocated 1,441
million (as against 1,238 million yen in 1996). (Note: Monbusho has
separate funds for universities to pursue basic research related to
earthquake prediction and earthquake engineering.)

**V. MONBUSHO BUDGET**

The FY'97 S&T-related budget of Monbusho amounts to 1,289 billion yen
(about 11.7 billion US dollars) which accounts for nearly one half
(42.9%) of the entire government R&D budget for this year. Of this
total, 74.8% or 964.8 billion yen was allocated under the so-called
Special Account for National Universities and Schools, in which funds
are provided primarily as formula-based expenditures of universities,
inter-university research institutes, and other national
educational/research facilities. The remaining 324.1 billion yen (8.7%)
was allocated under the so-called \"general account\" budget, including
funds for subsidies for proposal-based competitive research grants,
subsidies to JSPS for supporting a number of international scientific
programs.

1.  **Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research**

Perhaps the most important in terms of Monbusho\'s research support for
individual academic researchers is its program of \"grants-in-aid\" for
scientific research. The total Monbusho budget for research grants
amounts to 112.2 billion yen in FY 1997; an increase of 10.2% over the
previous year\'s level of 101.8 billion. All the research grants are
made based on proposals to be submitted by individual researchers or
groups of researchers for competitive screening. For 1997, for example,
76,664 proposals were received in total. Of them, 24.6% or 18,846
projects were adopted for support. According to Monbusho, 46.7% of all
the proposals adopted are in biological and medical sciences, 42.9% in
physical and engineering sciences, 8.0% in humanities and social
sciences, and 2.3% in interdisciplinary sciences.

**2. Space Sciences**

Monbusho\'s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
continues to develop several scientific satellites as follows:

\(1\) Scientific satellite No. 18 (for study of Martian

atmosphere) to be launched in 1998.

> \(2\) Scientific satellite No. 19 (for X-ray astronomy)
>
> to be launched in 1999.

\(3\) Scientific satellite No. 20 (for engineering tests

to collect data on asteroids) to be launched in

2001\.

\(4\) Scientific satellite No. 21 (for the observation

of the early universe) to be launched in 2002.

For these projects and other space science projects, 21,970 million yen
was allocated to ISAS in FY\'97 (22,072 million yen in 1996).

**3. International Ocean Drilling Project**

Monbusho continues to support participation of Japanese scientists in
the International Ocean Drilling Project (ODP), to study long-range
global changes, and changes in deep-sea crustal formations by
ocean-bottom core sampling analysis, utilizing the American deep-sea
drilling vessel, \"JOIDES Resolution.\" To this end, Monbusho has
allocated 316 million yen in FY\'97 budget (286 million yen in 1996) to
make Japan\'s annual contribution of \$2.95 million to ODP/NSF.

**4. Earthquake Prediction and Volcanology**

In Japan, basic studies for the prediction of earthquakes and volcanic
eruptions are carried out by universities as well as by Japan
Meteorological Agency (JMA), Geographical Survey Institute (GSI), NIED,
and others, based on research plans mapped out by the Geodesy Council of
the government. In FY\'97, Monbusho allocated 2,660 million yen (2,506
million yen in 1996) for earthquake prediction studies in universities,
and 557 million yen (643 million yen in 1996) for volcanic eruption
studies.

**5. New Research Institutes**

(1) Since its establishment in 1971, the National Laboratory for High
    Energy Physics (KEK) in Tsukuba Science City has served as the
    primary center for Japan\'s elementary particle physics and
    accelerator sciences. However, in order to help further advance the
    frontier of science in elementary particle physics, nuclear physics,
    synchrotron radiation studies, and materials research, a decision
    was made to re-establish KEK and the Institute of Nuclear Studies of
    the University of Tokyo into an integrated new research institute
    named \"High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK),\"
    effective as of 4/1/97. The new \"KEK\" will have a \"Laboratory of
    Particle and Nuclear Physics Research\" and a \"Laboratory of
    Structure of Matter.\" KEK\'s B-factory project will be made part of
    the new KEK. Monbusho has allocated 7,024 million yen for KEK in
    FY\'97 (7,042 million yen in 1996.)

(2) The National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), the center for
    nuclear fusion studies by university scientists will have a
    large-scale helical apparatus completed in FY\'97 after 8-years of
    construction works. In FY\'97, 18,885 million yen (17,779 million
    yen in 1996) was allocated to NIFS.

(3) Astronomical Observatory in Hawaii: A new astronomical observatory
    with an 8-meter infrared telescope has been under construction on
    the top of Mt. Mauna Kea in Hawaii, at a total cost of 40 billion
    yen. In FY\'97, 4,527 million yen (5,024 million yen in 1996) was
    allocated to the National Astronomical Observatory (NAL) in Tokyo
    for this project.

**6. Antarctic Research**

Since 1956, Japan has dispatched researchers every year to Japan\'s
research station in Showa Base in Antarctica. Currently, 40 members of
the 38th overwintering team are working at the Showa Base. Again in
FY\'97, the 39th Antarctic Research team of 58 members will be sent. In
addition, 3 Japanese researchers will be dispatched to foreign polar
stations for cooperative research. Besides routine meteorological and
oceanographic observations in the Antarctica, special studies will be
conducted this year to examine evolution of lithosphere in Eastern
Antarctica. This fiscal year's total budget for Japan's antarctic
research program will be 3,978 million yen (3,953 million yen in 1996)
including costs for the icebreaker \"Fuji\" to transport researchers to
the Showa Base.

**7. Area Studies**

Integrated cultural and social studies of various areas and regions in
the world are expected to deepen man's understanding on many aspects of
natural environment as well as ways of life of people in those areas
studied. A Center for the Planning and Information Exchange on Area
Studies was established in 1994 in Monbusho's National Museum of
Ethnology in Osaka. In FY\'97, 125 million yen was allocated (94 million
yen in 1996) to increase research data and other informational resources
for use in area studies.

**8. Research Cooperation with Industry**

Whereas Monbusho supports various forms of research collaboration
between university scientists and their counterparts in private
companies, the total Monbusho budget for university/industry research
cooperation is 100,871 million yen (87,675 million yen in 1996).
Included in this total are: 5,504 million yen for joint research
projects, 41,853 million yen for commissioned research, 531 million yen
for accepting researchers from companies for advanced training, and 200
million yen for establishing 4 new \"university-industry cooperative
research centers.\"

**9. Subsidies to JSPS**

Whereas in the past the primary function of JSPS was to support
international scientific cooperation between Japanese university
researchers with their counterpart foreign scientists through various
types of fellowships and travel grants, the scope of activities was
expanded last year so as to include the new \"Research for the Future\"
program. Last year, JSPS adopted 117 projects under the new program and
this year again, about 90 new projects are expected to be adopted for
support (plus continuation of last year\'s 117 projects).

The table below gives a summary of FY'97 budgets for various program
categories of JSPS.

Program Categories: FY'97

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

1\) Research for the Future Program: 20,600

(Investment Program)

2\) Fellowships for Individual Researchers:

\- Fellowships for Japanese

(3,570 fellowships) 10,576

\- Fellowships to Japanese for

research abroad (125 fellowships) 698

\- Fellowships for foreign

researchers (680 fellowships) 3,119

3\) International Scientific Cooperation:

\- Cooperation with advanced countries 1,949

\- Cooperation with Asian countries 1,235

\- International Exchange Centers 166

4\) Patent and Information Services 30

5\) University-Industry Committees 16

6\) Administrative Expenditures 666

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\--

Total: 39,055

(In million yen)

VI. **MITI BUDGET**

MITI\'S R&D budget for FY\'97 totals 472.4 billion, an increase of 50.9
billion yen or 12.1% over the previous year\'s level of 421.3 billion
yen. Although some of the MITI programs have been already described
above, the following are brief descriptions of some other major R&D
initiatives supported this year.

**1. Competition among Laboratories for Research Support**

To address criticism of Japanese government laboratories as focusing on
marginal research or engaging in duplication of work, a new scheme is
established by MITI for special research projects in the fields of
biotechnology, information and communication sciences and other areas,
with a total budget of 7,123 million yen (3,421 million in 1996). In
this program, outside reviewers examine research proposals and allocate
funds based on the importance of the selected research. In this program,
researchers from different laboratories would be competing against each
other for funding. Another unique feature of this program is that it
encourages joint research with other ministries in certain specific
areas such as brain science, earthquake studies, biotechnology, and
genetics.

1.  **Priority Research Programs**

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5.  Promotion of Advanced Electronic Technologies: In order to develop
    \"super-advanced\" generic-use technologies needed for realizing the
    \"next-next generation\" information-oriented society, a series of
    R&D projects will be supported in such areas as ultra-fine
    processing, ultra-minute measurement and analysis, control and in
    novel function electronic materials. 3,120 million yen was allocated
    in FY'97 (1,330 million yen in 1996).

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5.  Intelligent Transport System: Development of intelligent transport
    systems (ITS) leads to creation of new industries with highly
    increased efficiency in materials distribution, information
    processing, and reduction in traffic congestion and accidents. Also,
    with collaboration of other ministries/agencies, model testing areas
    will be selected for conducting feasibility studies of advanced ITS
    systems. For these projects, 374 million yen was allocated by MITI.
    (0 yen in 1996).

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5.  Aeronautic Technologies: (Feasibility study for the development of a
    small-sized civil air transport system.) For the first time in 40
    years, since the last project of YS-11 aircraft, an attempt will be
    made to develop, produce and commercialize a small-sized (70-120
    seats) civil air transport system (YSX). 380 million yen was
    allocated in FY\'97 (610 million yen in 1996).

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5.  International joint development of B747-X: In order to meet the
    ever-increasing demands for mass air transport systems, a new
    international project will be initiated jointly with Boeing of the
    United States to produce a large-sized (550 seats: 30% more than 400
    seats of the current B747) civil air transport system. 570 million
    yen was allocated in FY\'97 (0 in 1996).

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5.  Super-sonic Air Transport System Development: Whereas STA will
    support an R&D project at the National Aerospace Laboratory on a
    small-sized experimental super-sonic aircraft, MITI is also
    supporting R&D in the area of \"component technologies\" for
    possible use in the development of SSTs. MITI\'s FY\'97 budget for
    this project is 289 million yen (191 million yen in 1996.)

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5.  Intelligent Air Navigation System: To develop a future-generation
    air navigation system utilizing GPS and other modern electronic
    technologies, MITI allocated 228 million yen in FY\'97 (0 in 1996).

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5.  Development of Asian Community Airplanes: Surveys and preliminary
    studies will be started to develop air transport systems useful in
    Indonesia, Philippiines and other Asian countries where populations
    are scattered over many small islands. 45 million yen was allocated
    in FY\'97 budget (0 in 1996).

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5.  Next-Generation Unmanned Space Experiment Systems: In order to help
    promote commercial and industrial use of \"outer space,\" MITI has
    been promoting a variety of R&D projects, in collaboration with
    other agencies both within and outside Japan, on such themes as use
    of space environment, remote-sensing technologies, etc. In FY\'97,
    10,728 million yen was allocated for these projects (10,282 million
    yen in 1996).

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5.  Development of Comfortable Housing Systems: To develop high-quality
    housing towards the 21st century, MITI promotes R&D. The goals are
    to achieve production of good quality, highly comfortable, highly
    durable, and energy-efficient housing systems at low costs. MITI\'s
    FY\'97 budget for this program is 1,687 million yen (1,526 million
    yen in 1996.)

**3. Industrial Science and Technology Frontier Program (ISTF)**

MITI\'s Industrial Science and Technology Frontier Program (ISTF) aims
at promoting fundamental and creative R&D directed towards the ultimate
goal of making positive contributions towards sustained economic
development both in Japan and other countries. The total budget for ISTF
was increased to 28,070 million yen in FY\'97 (from 26,421 million yen
in 1996). In addition to those R&D projects on-going from previous
fiscal years, MITI has added the following 3 new projects to be started
in FY\'97:

5.  Bioconsortia technology: To develop new technologies for
    bioconsortia analysis, such as molecular genetic analysis and
    histo-chemical analysis, for possible use in industrial applications
    such as in the production of functional materials.

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5.  Advanced photon processing and measurement technology: To develop
    three photon-related advanced technologies for: 1) in-situ
    multidimensional measurement, 2) photon production and transmission,
    and 3) laser processing.

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5.  Super metal technology: To develop \"super metals\", high
    performance new metallic materials through use of innovative
    technologies for controlling microstructures of metals.

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5.  Also, as a sub-set of an on-going project, \"R&D on Novel
    High-functional Materials,\" a new research theme is added to study
    \"Harmonized Molecular Materials.\"

In terms of \"leading research projects\" for feasibility studies, to be
supported under ISTF, the following six projects were added in FY\'97:

5.  Conjugational (advanced glass) materials

6.  Optoelectronic materials for parallel and ultra-fast data processing

7.  Neuroactive materials

8.  Intelligent system for urban infrastructure engineering

9.  Eco-smart engine

10. \"Super survey\" for subsurface geophysical exploration

**4. Medical and Welfare Equipment**

To support not only the on-going R&D projects in the area of \"Medical
and Welfare Equipment,\" MITI will establish so-called \"Welfare Techno
Houses\" at various locations throughout the country as \"cooperative
research facilities\" for use by researchers from universities, private
companies and government laboratories working in joint projects on
medical and welfare equipment. In FY\'97, MITI\'s total budget was
increased to 2,788 million yen (from 1,394 million yen in 1996).

**5. Development of \"Techno-Infra\"**

To support R&D activities, MITI continues to make efforts to improve the
so-called \"Techno Infra\" (technological infrastructure), including for
example, measurement standards, standardized testing, and evaluation
methodologies, protocols for management of chemicals and biological
resources, and so forth. To this end, 1,004 million yen was allocated in
FY\'97 (934 million yen in 1996).

**6. International R&D Cooperation**

MITI has allocated 2,630 million yen in FY\'97 budget (2,540 million yen
in 1996) to promote international R&D cooperation between MITI\'s
laboratories and their counterpart foreign research institutes, both in
advanced and developing countries.

7.  **Energy-related R&D**

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5.  R&D on Load Leveling Technologies: In recent years, demands for
    electric power tend to fluctuate extensively between daytime and
    night time. To cope with this problem, MITI promotes R&D on
    technologies for large-scale storage of electric power, such as
    those based on high Tc superconducting technologies. 8,965 million
    yen was allocated in FY\'97 (8,819 million yen in 1996.)

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5.  R&D on New Renewable Energy Sources: As oil-alternative energy
    sources, MITI continues to support R&D on such technologies as solar
    photovoltaic power generation and fuel cells. 5,248 million yen was
    allocated in FY\'97 (4,651 million yen in 1996).

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5.  Nuclear Power-related Technologies: To prepare for the future when
    many of the light-water-type nuclear power reactors which are
    currently in use reach the age of de-commissioning, MITI increased
    R&D on those technologies to be required for the disposal and
    inspection of used reactors, as well as for securing safety for
    Japan\'s nuclear fuel cycle systems. 24,474 million yen was
    allocated in FY\'97 (25,485 million yen in 1996.)

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5.  Energy-conservation measures: To further improve in energy
    conservation efficiency, medium- and long-range R&D projects are
    supported so as to develop high-performance highly-energy-efficient
    industrial reactors. 5,617 million yen was allocated in FY\'97
    (3,417 million yen in 1996).

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5.  Technologies for Stable Oil Supply: To help insure stable supply of
    oil, LNG and LPG, MITI supports R&D on such technologies as useful
    for oil-exploration, efficient utilization of oil, improved oil
    refining technologies to reduce environmental burden, introduction
    of environmentally-favorable LNG and LPG. 31,406 million yen was
    allocated in FY\'97 (32,443 million yen in 1996).

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5.  Clean Coal Technologies: To ensure stable supply and use of coal as
    one of the major oil-alternative energy resources, MITI continues to
    develop \"clean coal technologies\" and to improve technologies for
    efficient coal production in Asian countries. 9,856 million yen was
    allocated in FY\'97 (9,703 million yen in 1996.)