Recent Policies of MEXT
to Promote Science andTechnology in Regional Areas
T. Kimura
National Institution for
Academic Degrees andUniversity Evaluation
1

Reforms Implemented since 1991
zIncorporation of all the national and somemunicipal universities
zAmendment of School Juridical Person system〇Introduction of flexibility into system forestablishing universities〇Implementation of a pilot scheme to allow
joint-stock corporation to establish universities
zIntroduction of third-party evaluation system
zCreation of professional graduate schools
2Population of 18-year-olds, total number of places athigher education institutions and expected number of applicants(1,000 persons)Population of 18-year-olds

1,400
1,200

Number of applicants

1,000800x600
400

Number of seats at HEIs

20002003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2014

3FY

Diversity in Functionsof Higher Education
zPursuing world-class research and education
zTraining highly-skilled professionals
zTraining wide-ranging professionals
zCarrying out general education
zCarrying out education and research in specificareas (arts, sports etc.)
zCarrying out life long learning for thecommunity
zContribution to society (service to society)4Free to choose any of these:
single or multi-functions

Role of the government
Provision of future model and policy making
rather than planning and supervision5

Council for Scienceand Technology Policy (CSTP)
Established in 2001
[Fundamental concept]
Knowledge and Technology are precious resources forthe future development of Japan. With research anddevelopment as its base, S&T policy creates new
knowledge and is an important key to revitalize theeconomy.
6[Role of CSTP]
One of the four councils of important policies of Cabinet
Office. The CSTP is comprised of the Prime Minister,relevant ministers and experts. It works out basic andfundamental policies for development of S&T for thecountry from the supra-ministry point of view under theleadership of Prime Minister and relevant ministers.
First Basic Plan (1996-2000)¥17 trillion
Second Basic Plan (2001-2005) ¥24 trillion
Third Basic Plan (2006-2010) ¥25 trillion
7Proposals by Council for Science andTechnology Policy (CSTP) in an attempt torevitalize country’s regional economy¤Forming regional clusters¤ Promotion of university-industry-government
link in urban areas¤Building regional innovation systems andcreating vital regions

On the basis of this proposals, MEXT preparesfunds to implement the plan with universities as
the central player.
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Fiscal Year 2006
Total budget ¥24,673 million(￡100million)
Fiscal Year 2007
Total budget ¥25,271 million(￡100million)

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Up to FY 2006
§Establishment of regional “intellectualclusters” ～ ¥ 10,000 million: 18 regions<Background> (CSTP 2nd Basic Plan)
The "intellectual cluster" is a regional system oftechnological innovations in which a public researchorganization (incl. universities) uses its R&D potentialand other unique abilities to lead companies in andaround a particular region.

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<Outcome>(1)Efficient system of university-industry-governmenthas been established. The total number of researchers
participated in the project during the period of FY 2002
2005 was 3764, out of which 1,316 were from industry.
(2) A number of patent applications (over 2,200), manycases of actual production of products on a commercial
basis (over 800 items), and starting up considerable
number of venture companies.
(3) Development of programmes unique for each region
such as setting up of venture fund to promote localindustry
11Regions where intellectual clusters have been founded12§Promotion of university-industry-government
link in urban areas ～ ¥ 4,000 million: 31 regions<Target>Enhance starting-up and developing of new industry
unique for each region by technological innovation.
<Scheme>Create innovation in each region by coordinating fundamental research and technology transfer carried out by
local government, local bureaus of METI (Ministry ofEconomy, Trade and Industry) and JST (Japan Scienceand Technology Agency) with Technology Transfer
Plazas and JST Satellites as the bases.
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Locations of Technology Transfer Plazasand JST Satellites

14§ Building regional innovation systems andcreating vital regions ～ ¥ 7,200 million<Background> (CSTP 3rd Basic Plan)
Because the promotion of S&T in regions contributes tobuilding regional innovation systems and creating vital
regions−thus enhancing the sophistication and diversification of S&T of Japan as a whole, along with the competitive edge of innovation systems-the government will
actively encourage such promotion. Moreover, the government will promote broad-ranging activities as somethingthat will contribute to achieving safe, secure, and quality
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lives for local residents, and produce creative andappealing regions and culture.
<Target>Promote university-industry-government link andenhance the production of original research output of
universities in each region to revitalize the regional
economy by producing new industry.

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Fiscal Year 2007
§Establishment of regional “intellectualclusters” ～ ¥ 5,500 million§Promotion of university-industry-government
link in urban areas ～ ¥ 4,500 million: 31 regions§ Building regional innovation systems andcreating vital regions ～ ¥ 9,400 million

17Economic-sized national
Economiccontribution
contributionof
ofaamedium
medium-sizednationaluniversity
university（（YamaguchiYamaguchi university) inuniversity)
inYamaguchi
Yamaguchiarea
area
Transportation:
Contribution to a wholeTransportation
Chemicalprefecture:¥66.7billindustry (Bus,products:
Pharmaceuticalcompanies ¥6.7 bill

Taxi, Truck,
Railway)¥4.4 bill
University¥5.2 bill
Commerce: ¥11.5 bill
Wholesalers,
Retailers,¥4 billSupermarkets

Foodproducts:
Foodcompanies,Breweries

Yamaguchi university¥2.8 bill ¥9.0 bill

Construction:
Generalcontractors,
House makers¥3.0 bill

Real estate:
Real estateagentsServices toindividuals:
Restaurants,
Hotels, Theatres,
Laundries,
Barbers

Agriculture,
Forestry,
Fisheries:
Rice growing
farmers, Forestry

In addition: Telecommunication＋ Financing＋Precision machine＋
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Electronics→¥20.1 bill６