[Tentative translation]

Integrated Innovation Strategy 2021

Table of Contents
Chapter I general theory .................................................................................................................................................................................3
1. Basic concept .............................................................................................................................................................................................3
2. Changes in the domestic and international situation .....................................................................................................................................3(1)Further intensification of competition for technological supremacy..............................................................................................................3(2)Progress in concrete efforts to address the climate change issue ...................................................................................................................4
3. Evaluation and issues of past efforts and matters to be focused on ................................................................................................................4(1)Transformation into a sustainable and resilient society that ensures the safety and security of the people ....................................................... 5(2)Expanding the frontier of knowledge and strengthening research capabilities as a source of value creation ..................................................16(3)Education and fostering of human resources to realize the well-being of individuals and the challenges they face ........................................21(4)Promoting sectoral strategies through public-private partnerships ..............................................................................................................22(5)Revitalizing the flow of funds to create knowledge and value ....................................................................................................................28(6)Strengthening control tower functions in Council for Science, Technology and Innovation .........................................................................28

Chapter II Science, technology and innovation policy toward realization of Society 5.0 ..................................................................................31
1. Transformation into a sustainable and resilient society that ensures the safety and security of the people......................................................31(1)Creating new value through the fusion of cyberspace and physical space ...................................................................................................31(2)Promoting social change and disruptive innovation to overcome global challenges .....................................................................................43(3)Building a resilient, safe and secure society ..............................................................................................................................................59(4)Formation of innovation ecosystem as a foundation for creating new industries based on value co-creation .................................................71(5)Urban and regional development that will take over the foundation for the next generation (development of smart cities) ............................81(6)Promoting R&D and social implementation to resolve various social issues and utilizing convergence of knowledge ..................................88

2. Expanding the frontier of knowledge and strengthening research capabilities as a source of value creation.................................................106(1)Reconstruction of the environment that generates diverse and outstanding research ..................................................................................106(2)Construction of a new research system (promotion of open science and data-driven research, etc.)............................................................132(3)Promoting university reform and enhancing functions for strategic management ......................................................................................142

3. Education and human resources fostering to realize the well-being of individuals and the challenges they face ..........................................154
4. Promoting sectoral strategies through public-private partnerships .............................................................................................................168(Fundamental technologies that should be addressed strategically) ...............................................................................................................168(1)AI technology........................................................................................................................................................................................168(2)Biotechnology .......................................................................................................................................................................................170(3)Quantum technology ..............................................................................................................................................................................171(4)Materials ...............................................................................................................................................................................................173(Strategic applied fields to be addressed).....................................................................................................................................................174(5)Health and medical care .........................................................................................................................................................................174(6)Space ....................................................................................................................................................................................................177(7) Oceans .................................................................................................................................................................................................179(8)Food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries ..................................................................................................................................................182
5. Revitalizing the flow of funds to create knowledge and value ...................................................................................................................186

6. Strengthening control tower functions in Council for Science, Technology and Innovation ........................................................................191(1)Strengthening functions to utilize the convergence of knowledge and formulation of policies for the future and dissemination of information.................................................................................................................................................................................................................191(2)Strengthening policymaking functions and ensuring policy effectiveness through the use of the evidence system (e-CSTI) ........................191(3)Implementation of policy evaluation and formulation of integrated strategies linked to the Sixth Basic Plan ..............................................192(4)Ensuring effectiveness of control tower functions ...................................................................................................................................193
List of abbreviations...................................................................................................................................................................................195

Chapter I general theory
1. Basic concept
Integrated Innovation Strategy 2021 will be the first annual strategy designated as an action plan for the
Sixth Science, Technology and Innovation Basic Plan (hereinafter referred to as the "Sixth Basic Plan".)approved by the Cabinet on March 26, 2021. In the Sixth Basic Plan, the target society is defined as "asustainable and resilient society that protects the safety and security of the people and a society that realizes
the well-being of individuals" and in order to achieve it, the Six Basic Plan is composed of medium targets
to major targets, as well as a group of programs to achieve such targets. In order to evaluate the achievement
status, indicators linked to each target are set.
Integrated Innovation Strategy 2021 seeks to improve the quality of science, technology, and innovation
policies on a constant basis by identifying whether or not programs are functioning as initially envisioned,by analyzing changes in indicators and other evidence, and by embodiing evidence-based policymaking(EBPM), which reviews existing policies and formulates policies to supplement shortfalls or more effective
policy proposals.
2. Changes in the domestic and international situation
In the Sixth Basic Plan, in addition to the current challenges such as the rapid evolution of informationand communications technology (ICT); global energy, resources, and food constraints; as well as thedeclining birthrate and aging population in Japan and the impoverishment of local economies and societies,
the Government of Japan states that new social changes that deserve special mention include (1) the
reorganization of the world order, such as the escalation of the U.S.-China confrontation; (2) global agenda
such as intensifying large-scale natural disasters, which have become a real threat; and (3) the exposure of
the limitations of the information society (Society 4.0), such as the restriction of free competition due tothe international monopoly of information by IT platformers; and that these changes are accelerating the
spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (hereinafter referred to as “COVID-19”).
Against this backdrop, even after the formulation of the Sixth Basic Plan, there has been significant
progress both in Japan and abroad in post-corona efforts such as vaccination, as well as in the fight fortechnological supremacy among countries and in measures against the climate change.
(1)Further intensification of competition for technological supremacy
The Sixth Basic Plan states that science, technology and innovation are at the center of the struggle forsupremacy among nations that are intensifying, and this movement is accelerating. At the National People's
Congress of China held in March 2021, it was announced that self-reliance in science and technology was
the strategic pillar of national development, and that the R&D expenditure of society as a whole would
increase by more than 7% per year on average. In the United States, President Biden said at a press
conference that the United States would increase its investment in science and technology, such as quantum
computers and medical care, from 0.7% to about 2% of the GDP in terms of technology competition with
China.
Globally, emerging technologies such as AI and quantum, as well as advanced fundamental technologies
3such as advanced semiconductor manufacturing, are being recognized once again for their security
importance, and the United States, China, European countries, etc. are investing large amounts into
innovation in order to lock their technologies into each respsective country. Therefore, our country's
innovation policy also needs to take economic security into consideration. In particular, with the advanceof online operations in response to COVID-19, demand for semiconductors has increased around the world,
causing supply delays in some areas, such as automotive semiconductors, from the beginning of 2021,
which has had an impact on automobile production and affected supply chains. In February 2021, in order
to secure supply chains in key areas, President Biden signed an executive order requiring the submissionof reports on ten areas, including semiconductors, including specific policy recommendations on supply
chain risks such as materials and manufacturing capabilities 1. In March 2021, the European Commission
announced the "Digital Compass" plan, which sets the European Union's digitalization target for the period
up to 2030, and set a target to increase the production of next-generation semiconductors in the region andincrease the EU's share from 10% to more than 20%.
(2)Progress in concrete efforts to address the climate change issue
Global progress has also been made in tackling the climate change issue, which was included in the Sixth
Basic Plan. Immediately after President Biden took office, the United States decided to return to the Paris
Agreement and announced its active measures to address climate change. In April 2021, the United States
hosted Leaders Summit on climate, inviting leaders from about 40 countries and regions, including 17
countries and regions that account for about 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In preparation forthe 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (COP26) in November 2021, the United States appealed to each country to strengthen their 2030
greenhouse gas reduction targets. At the Summit, Prime Minister Suga expressed that Japan would “set atarget to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent in fiscal year 2030 from its fiscal year 2013
levels while continuing strenuous efforts in its to challenge to meet the lofty goal of cutting its emissions
by 50 percent.”
In December 2020, the European Commission announced that it would invest at least 35% of the total
budget of 95.5 billion euros for Horizon Europe, its R&D investment strategy for seven years starting from2021, in measures to combat climate change, aiming to recover from COVID-19 through green investment.
The European Parliament officially approved the budget in April 2021.
3. Evaluation and issues of past efforts and matters to be focused on
Amid major changes in domestic and international situations, the first Science, Technology andInnovation Basic Plan based on the Basic Act on Science, Technology and Innovation (Act No. 130 of
1995) was approved by the Cabinet, and the medium- to long-term policy directions up to 2025 with a view
toward 2030 were presented.
In the future, as well as strengthening the control tower function, the ministries and agencies concerned
must work together to accelerate efforts to realize Society 5.0 in line with the direction of science,1

June 8, 2021: "Building Resilient Supply Chains, Revitalizing American Manufacturing, and Fostering Broad Based Growth." wassubmitted.
4technology and innovation policies set out in the basic plan, "social change through the convergence ofknowledge" and "sound cycle of investment in knowledge and people."(1)Transformation into a sustainable and resilient society that ensures the safety and security of thepeople① Creating new value through the fusion of cyberspace and physical space(General remarks)
The formation of a digital society such as a digital twin utilizing cutting-edge technologies including AI
forms the basis for realizing Society 5.0. In order to establish a control tower and a national strategy for theformation of a digital society at an early stage and to promote necessary regulatory reforms, the government
submitted digital reform-related bills and is now preparing for the establishment of a digital agency inearnest following the enactment 2 of these bills. Social implementation at an early stage has become one of
the top priorities of the government. Under the Digital Agency, which will be established in September
2021 as the control tower, in addition to formulating policies for the development of information systems
in the national and semi-public sectors, Japan will steadily implement "a comprehensive data strategy 3"
based on its architecture.
(Comprehensive Data Strategy)
In December 2020, the Data Strategy Task Force’s initial report presented urgent issues such as thedevelopment of trust frameworks, platforms, and data. However, more specific efforts must be made basedon the Comprehensive Data Strategy of June 2021.
In this context, discussions are progressing on the designation of specific data in the base registry 4, thedevelopment and expansion of digital infrastructure, the modality of platforms, the construction of trust
foundations, and fostering human resources concerning data.
Many countries around the world have formulated and strongly promoted data strategies, recognizingthat data is the foundation of national wealth and international competitiveness. The United States has been
rapidly improving the value of data and building a governance system based on the Federal Data Strategyof June 2019. In 2021, the foundation is being developed in earnest, for example, by improving data skillsof federal government employees and expanding interagency collaboration. In addition, the US digitalstrategy, which has been laissez-faire about the private sector, is now at a major turning point, as concerns
over privacy violations by large IT companies, the spread of fake news, the exposure of the vulnerabilityof democracy, and competition issues are drawing attention. In Europe, based on the European Data
2

Basic Act on the Formation of a Digital Society (Act No. 35 of 2021), Act for the Establishment of the Digital Agency (Act No. 36 of2021), Act on the Development of Related Acts for the Formation of a Digital Society (Act No. 37 of 2021), Act on the Registration, etc.
of Deposit Accounts for the Prompt and Reliable Implementation of the Payment, etc. of Public Benefits (Act No. 38 of 2021), Act on
the Management, etc. of Deposit Accounts by Using Individual Numbers Based on the Intention of Depositors (Act No. 39 of 2021), andAct on the Standardization of Local Government Information Systems (Act No. 40 of 2021)
3

The "Comprehensive Data Strategy" attached to the Priority Policy Program for the Realization of a Digital Society (approved by the

Cabinet on June 18, 2021)
4

A database of basic social data, such as people, corporations, land, buildings, and qualifications, that is registered and published bypublic organizations and referenced in various situations, and serves as the foundation of a society that ensures accuracy and currency.
5Strategy of February 2020, the European Commission released in November 2020 a draft Data Governance
Act focusing on the rules framework for data sharing service providers. By the end of 2021, a draft data act
is scheduled to be released to promote the public use of privately owned data and the proper sharing of data
among companies. In April 2021, a comprehensive draft for AI regulation based on a risk-based approach
was released as a core component of the EU Digital Single Market strategy, which supports the EU's goalof being a global leader in the development of a safe, credible and ethical artificial intelligence and ensuresprotection of the ethical principles required by the European Parliament.
However, we must admit that social implementation of platforms necessary for the digitalization of local
governments, establishment of base registries, and AI and data linkage in our country, is behind theAmerican IT giants GAFA 5 and the GAIA-X project in Europe, which is rapidly developing and expanding
rules and tools in an integrated manner. In addition, it will be important in the future to improve theenvironment for data utilization through measures such as infrastructure (SINET 6, Beyond 5G 7, computing
resources, etc.), consideration of the direction of international cooperation, and training of AI ready humanresources.
For this reason, the base registry, which is the basis of data utilization services, will be put into
operation in some of the preceding projects in FY2021, with the aim of implementing it by 2025.
Furthermore, in order to activate data utilization services provided by the public and private sectors, withthe aim of ensuring interoperability with other countries in mind, the government will accelerate
discussions on the full-scale operation of connectors, which are technologies for data linkage
infrastructure, and rules to be considered in order to promote data distribution and eliminate factors that
impede it, implement platforms, and establish them as infrastructure. In addition, the government willconsider the establishment of a data exchange market and steadily promote the social implementation of
Personal Data Trust Banks and other entities.
When it comes to AI utilization in the social implementation of the data strategy, it is important tocoordinate with AI strategy.
(Development and improvement of next-generation social infrastructure suitable for AI utilization)
It is necessary to promote the development of human resources that support society and the development
and improvement of next-generation social infrastructure suitable for the utilization of data and AI, and towork on the establishment of a foundation that enables anyone, anytime, anywhere, to utilize data and AI
and continuously create services that have not been realized before. To this end, we will operate,disseminate, and publicize the Mathematics, Data Science, and AI Smart Higher Education Program
Certification System (literacy level) that started in FY2020, and will steadily advance core R&D based on
AI strategies, using the AI-related Core Centers as bases, which will promote the development and locations
5

GAFA: Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple

6

SINET: Science Information NETwork. The information and communications network built and operated by National Institute ofInformatics (NII) as an academic information infrastructure for universities and research institutions, etc. across Japan.
7

Beyond 5G is an important infrastructure in the Society 5.0 era with features such as ultra-large capacity exceeding 5G and post 5G,

ultra-low latency, ultra-multiple simultaneous connections, ultra-low power consumption, and ultra-safety/reliability, and is expected tostart service around 2030 as a foundation of all industrial and social life in the 2030s.

6

of advanced semiconductor technologies, promote the optimal placement of next-generation data centers,
conduct R&D on post-5G 8 and Beyond 5G, and strengthen computing resources.
② Promoting social change and disruptive innovation to overcome global challenges(Measures against global warming)
In response to the SDGs 9 and other global challenges, various social reforms need to be advanced, andin particular, it has become apparent that reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero and making
contributions to achieve carbon neutrality worldwide are becoming a core element of international
competition.
In our country, Prime Minister Suga declared in October 2020 that Japan will aim to reduce greenhousegas emissions to net-zero 2050, and in order to accelerate efforts to achieve this goal, in December 2020
the Green Growth Strategy Through Achieving Carbon Neutrality in 2050 was formulated and a 2 trillion
yen Green Innovation Fund was established to provide continuous support for the development ofinnovative technologies. As stated above, the Prime Minister stated that Japan should “aim to reduce its
greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent in fiscal year 2030 from its fiscal year 2013 levels while continuing
strenuous efforts in its challenge to meet the lofty goal of cutting its emissions by 50 percent.” Although
the reduction in FY2019 was 14.0% (compared to FY2013), it is necessary to accelerate development ininnovative new technologies and social implementation, and promote research and development that leads
to the creation of disruptive innovation, in order to achieve the ambitious targets mentioned above. To thisend, the government will review its Plan for Global Warming Countermeasures and Strategic Energy Planfrom this perspective.
In particular, it is important to address the energy sector, which accounts for more than 80% of
greenhouse gases in our country. In addition to promoting thorough energy effiency, decarbonization of theelectric power sector is a major premise. The government will address maximum introduction renewableenergy, maximize the use of thermal power on the premise of recovery of CO2, reduce the dependence on
nuclear power as much as possible, and restart nuclear power generation when the Nuclear Regulation
Authority determines that it meets the world's strictest regulatory standards. In addition, decarbonization
other than in the electric power sector by decarbonized power sources will be promoted. Thus, in order tobecome carbon neutral in 2050, it is necessary to pursue the possibility of utilizing various energy sources.
(Utilization of diverse energy sources)
In order to utilize a variety of energy sources, based on the concept of the Strategic Energy Plan, etc., wewill promote research and development, demonstration, and international cooperation necessary for energy
conservation, renewable energy, nuclear power, fusion energy, etc. With regard to energy conservation, we
will develop, commercialize and demonstrate innovative energy conservation technologies across various
fields in order to develop further energy conservation potential. We will also conduct demonstrations torealize net zero energy for houses and buildings and improve transportation efficiency throughout the
8

5G is a next-generation mobile communication system with features such as ultra-high speed, ultra-low latency, and multiple

simultaneous connections, and post-5G has further enhanced functions such as ultra-low latency and multiple simultaneous connections.
9

SDGs: Sustainable Development Goals
7supply chain. With regard to renewable energy, the government will promote the development of nextgeneration solar cells and elemental technologies related to floating offshore wind power based on theTechnology Development Roadmap for the Enhancement of Industrial Competitiveness for Offshore
Wind 10 Power Generation to maximize the introduction of renewable energy. With regard to nuclear energy,
which is one of the option for decarbonization at the practical stage, in light of the domestic andinternational situation surrounding nuclear energy, including carbon neutrality, we will steadily promote
R&D and fostering of human resources with a view to further improving safety and promoting innovationthat meets diverse needs such as coexistence with renewable energy, hydrogen production, and heatutilization.
(Economic and social redesign through the transition to a decarbonized society, a recycling-based
economy, and a decentralized society)
In order to transform Japan into a society that creates a virtuous cycle between the economy and theenvironment, it is necessary to redesign the economy and society by accelerating the transition to a
recycling-oriented economy and a decentralized society in addition to the aforementioned decarbonizedsociety through the realization of carbon neutrality, and to create a regional recycling-oriented society (local
SDGs) that realizes these three transitions. In terms of decarbonization, based on the Regional
Decarbonization Roadmap 11 , a decarbonization domino effect will be realized, which will spreadthroughout the country with the decarbonization leading areas as the core. With regard to the transition toa circular that also utilizes local natural resources, the government will work to accelerate the recycling ofplastic resources by implementing appropriate measures under the Act for on Promotion of Resource
Circulation for Plastics (Act No. 60 of 2021), developing and expanding the use of innovative materials
such as bioplastics, and will also review the National Biodiversity Strategy 12. Through these efforts, thegovernment will deepen discussions on changes in people's lifestyles and socioeconomic changes, and leadinternational discussions and cooperation toward a series of international conferences starting with the 15th
meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) to be held in
October 2021 and COP26 to be held in November. In addition, based on the Sustainable Food Systems
Strategy 13 formulated in May 2021, the government will promote research and development aimed at
improving the productivity and sustainability of the food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industries.
③ Building a resilient, safe and secure society(Response to safety and security concerns in the biotechnology/cyber fields, etc.)
Responding to emerging threats, such as the spread of COVID-19 and growing concerns about economic
security, is an urgent issue in building a safe and secure society.
For example, in the biotechnology field, following the anthrax attacks in 2001, three projects started in10

Announced by the Working Group of the Public-Private Council on Enhancement of Industrial Competitiveness for Offshore Wind

Power Generation on April 1, 2021.
11

Decided by the Council for National and Local Decarbonization on June 9, 2021.

12

Cabinet decision of September 28, 2012.

13

Decided by the Headquaters of the Strategy for Sustainable Food Systems on May 12, 2021.
8

the United States: Project BioWatch, which detects pathogenic bacteria in the air in normal times; Project
BioSense, which detects when and where abnormal accumulation of sick patients is occurring byaccumulation and analysis of consultation data; and Project BioShield, which accelerates the developmentof vaccines and drugs in emergencies. Based on the Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak (2013-16), the targets
were expanded from terrorism to include emerging infectious diseases. As a result, the US Department of
Health and Human Services led COVID-19 countermeasures, and the Department of Defense and otherorganizations cooperated from the beginning to invest heavily in the development, manufacture anddistribution of vaccines for domestic and foreign companies. As a result, Pfizer Inc. and Moderna, Inc.
succeeded in developing vaccines in a short period of time. In our country, from FY2021, the government
will promote research and development that contributes to the enhancement of systems for the analysis andprovision of information on infectious diseases, the compilation of information as needed, and the analysis
of infectious diseases for effective risk communication.
In the cyber field, along with the expansion of cyberspace and the advancement of integration with real
space, the growing complexity and sophistication of threats such as cyber attacks using new technologies
and methods, has led to the emergence of attacks on critical infrastructure and supply chains, and theimportance of securing cyber security has been increasing year by year. In contrast, in the United States,
National Cyber Strategy 2018 was formulated as a cyber security strategy which emphasizes peace by force
and cyber deterrence. The Cybersecurity Strategy in our country (approved by the Cabinet in July 2018)
also indicated that " in close coordination with our ally and like-minded countries, Japan will utilize political,
economic, technological, legal, diplomatic, and all other viable and effective means and capabilities,
depending on the threat, and take resolute responses" toward the "enhancing deterrence capabilities." The
draft outline for the next Cyber Security Strategy, which was discussed at the National Center of Incident
Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity meeting held on May 13, 2021, states that "Japan will enhance
deterrence capabilities to detect, investigate, and analyze cyberattacks."(Response to natural disasters)
In response to increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters, in order to be able to demonstratecomprehensive disaster prevention capabilities that make use of knowledge from the humanities and social
sciences in addition to state-of-the-art ICT, efforts have been made to develop the Shared Information
Platform for Disaster Management (SIP4D 14), which plays a role in the mutual distribution of disasterprevention information across organizations, in prefectures and the like, and to construct and operate theData Integration and Analysis System (DIAS 15), which accumulates and analyzes global environmental
data. The Information Support Team (ISUT 16), which is operated by the Director General for Disaster
Management Bureau of the Cabinet Office, has been using SIP4D for information sharing on site since
FY2019. Of the prefectures that participated in the demonstration test of technology development related
to automatic connection for further rapid information sharing, 15 prefectures have already decided on
automatic connection with SIP4D in the future. The government will continue to work in cooperation with
14

SIP4D: Shared Information Platform for Disaster Management

15

DIAS: Data Integration and Analysis System

16

ISUT: Information Support Team9

relevant ministries and agencies to realize the use of SIP4D through automatic connection by all prefectures
by FY2023, by conducting demonstrations and explanatory meetings at training sessions held byprefectures. In addition, the government will continue to promote research and development on a disasterprevention cyberphysical system (CPS4D 17) that uses collected data on disasters and damage in physicalspace, predicts trends in cyberspace, and generates and transmits information for optimizing disaster
responses, and will also promote initiatives toward social implementation. Furthermore, research anddevelopment issues that contribute to disaster response support (disaster response DX) will be consideredby combining integrated information and analysis of disaster response knowledge and utilizing it as theconvergence of knowledge. In addition, work will be undertaken to establish a control tower structure forsystematic and strategic R&D in disaster risk reduction research from a medium- to long-term perspective
and for management of social implementation.
(Strengthening the resilience of infrastructure)
Regarding the construction, maintenance, renewal, and improvement of infrastructure, in order to realize
efficient infrastructure management for building national resilience, social implementation of maintenancetechnologies developed in the first phase of the Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP 18) has been
advancing, and statutory inspections of about 720,000 bridges across Japan are being conducted in Ministryof Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and other places by utilizing the developed
alternative technology for visual inspections. In the future, in Public/Private R&D Investment Strategic
Expansion PrograM (PRISM 19), the legal inspection results will be compiled in a database, and be linked
with the National Land and Transportation Data Platform. In addition, technologies for inspecting andrepairing invisible components, which have been identified as a new issue, will be developed and madeinto a manual. The government, industry, academia and the private sector will work together to promote
the cross-sectoral use of databases and the social implementation of the developed maintenance andmanagement technologies through the National Conference on Infrastructure Maintenance. In addition, thegovernment will publicize DX measures in the infrastructure field and the terms and conditions of use of
the National Land and Transportation Data Platform. By FY2022, the government will build a platform thatlinks national land, economic activities, and natural phenomena data held by national and local governments
and the private sector. The Cabinet Office is working on the arrangement of basic concepts, etc. for theconstruction of an infrastructure data platform that links platforms in all infrastructure fields, including the
National Land and Transportation Data Platform, in networking. The Cabinet Office will work on theimplementation of model projects and preparation for the construction of an operational structure, etc.
toward the conclusion of an agreement to participate in the platform, which has become an issue, by theend of FY2021.
(Efforts on comprehensive security)
In order to respond to a wide range of issues on comprehensive security, to maintain peace in our country,
17

CPS4D: Cyber-Physical Synthesis for Disaster Resilience

18

SIP: Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program

19

PRISM: Public/Private R&D Investment Strategic Expansion PrograM
10and to ensure the safety and security of the country and its people, it is necessary to strengthen science andtechnology capabilities, which is the basis of comprehensive security, while taking into account thepolysemy of science and technology. The government of Japan has promoted various initiatives to "know"
the threats and the technology to respond to them," “develop" the necessary technology," "utilize" thedeveloped technology in social implementation, and "protect" the leakage of such technology. The
government also take necessary measures for the following urgent issues while establishing policies to deal
with them in stages and consolidating them from existing projects.
With regards to the new think tank functions, which is the pillar as "know" , the government will launch
the function in FY2021, directs survey and analysis to them of the subject set by the ministries and agencies
concerned, work together to establish an organization by FY2023. The government also launch a new
project for ensuring and strengthening economic security, to provide strong support for the practicalapplication of key technologies in emerging fields such as space, quantum, AI, supercomputers andsemiconductors, nuclear energy, advanced materials, biotechnology, and oceans, in close cooperation with
relevant ministries and agencies, universities, research institutes, and companies, while utilizing new thinktank functions.
Furthermore, in order to promote necessary international joint research amid concerns about new risks
associated with the internationalization and openness of research activities, the government will revise therelevant guidelines on competitive research funds in early FY2021, based on the government's policy on
ensuring research integrity and other documents. In addition, the government will continue to collectinformation in order to implement appropriate countermeasures to prevent technology leakages in stages inaccordance with the actual condition of various technology leakages, strengthen security trade control
measures including cooperation with like-minded countries and a review of deemed export control,
strengthen investment examination and follow-up monitoring in the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade
Control Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Foreign Exchange Act;" Act No. 228 of 1949), strengthen
examination for the acceptance of international students and foreign researchers, examine the desirable
system for patent disclosure, examine the desirable system for the appropriate preservation of important
technical information, expand the scope of requirements for the security trade control system in government
research and development projects, and take appropriate measures. In addition, the government will
strengthen the systems necessary for the collection, analysis, aggregation, and sharing of information
related to economic security in order to grasp the actual situation and concerns regarding technology
leakages and to prevent them from occurring.
The government will also consider and aim for early build ways to provide support, including aframework to secure medium- and long-term financial contributions aiming strengthening R&D capabilities
related to emerging key technologies for strengthening and promoting economic security and to secure
strategic industrial infrastructure in Japan, such as the capacity to produce and supply important
technologies and materials for the supply chain.
④ Formation of an innovation ecosystem as a foundation for creating new industries based on value
co-creation(Growing gap between startups and the world)
11

With regard to the formation of an innovation ecosystem that creates and fosters startups that seek toresolve issues by leveraging social needs as a driving force, in order to support the creation and growth ofstartups based on social needs and create unicorns from our country that fly around the world, we have beenworking on the revision of the Japanese SBIR 20, the designation of startup cities, and the establishment of
the platform for unified support for startups (commonly known as “Plus 21”). Under these circumstances,
venture capital investment in our country, even in the context of the pandemic, increased by 4.1% in value
and 3.6% in number from 277.8 billion yen (1,761 cases) in FY2018 to 289.1 billion yen (1,824 cases) in
FY2019, reaching a high record after a decline following the financial crisis triggered by the bankruptcy ofLehman Brothers. However, in terms of the amount of investment, there is still a large gap between Japanand other countries (14.5 trillion yen in the U.S. and 3.5 trillion yen in China). Therefore, it is an issue tomake the above-mentioned measures function more effectively in the future.
(Formation of an innovation ecosystem by mobilizing all government, industry, region and academia)
For this reason, the government will increase government procurement from startups based on the new
SBIR, support human resources such as for startups and entrepreneurs in Plus, and stimulate discussion on
support measures for hub cities. The government will actively promote the establishment of a support
system for startups, such as cooperation among hubs centered on the working group of Hub Cities
Promotion Council, strengthening cooperation with universities, etc., strengthening gap funds, andimproving the environment for large-scale fund procurement at the late stage, and promote these as a"innovation ecosystem formation package."
Efforts have also been made to sort out the requirements required for innovation management and toselect excellent companies. In order to further promote corporate innovation activities, the government willcontinue to work on the development of an environment in which companies that take on the challenge ofinnovative management are highly evaluated by the capital market, and the development of an environment
in which companies can survive in global competition by increasing corporate diversity and respond to
newly emerging social issues.
(Strengthening of industry-academia-government collaboration)
In order to promote new value co-creation through industry-academia-government collaboration, efforts
have been made to promote industry-academia-government joint research, to strengthen the matching
between young researchers and the industry, and to support the formulation of sustainable industryacademia-government collaboration projects and the advancement of business. As a result, the amount ofjoint research accepted from private companies at universities, etc. has been increasing steadily in recent
years, with the amount more than doubling from 45.2 billion yen in FY2013 to 88.4 billion yen in FY2018
and to 96.1 billion yen in FY2019. However, given that the situation is expected to be severe for the time
being due to the impact of the spread of COVID-19, the government will accelerate the matching of theknowledge possessed by universities and national research and development agencies with social needs and
20

SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) is a cross-agency system that aims to increase opportunities for SMEs to receive R&D

subsidies and to support the commercialization of the results.
21

Plus: Platform for unified support for startups
12

will vigorously promote the establishment of open innovation bases in order to further strengthen
cooperation and integration among various sectors.
⑤ Urban and regional development that will take over the foundation for the next generation(Acceleration of nationwide expansion of smart cities)
In order to realize a society with a sustainable livelihood base, the government will seek to resolve issues
faced by cities and regions, and aim to develop diverse, sustainable, and highly livable cities and regions(smart cities) nationwide that will proactively realize Society 5.0, which continues to create new values.
To date, the government has been provided to support for the demonstration and implementation of urban
OS 22 and services that can link approximately 200 different data across the country. However, since there
are still issues to be addressed in the expansion of initiatives, such as the fact that only 23 local governments
and regional groups have implemented the technology, the respective ministries and agencies will
implement smart city-related projects in conjunction with the government's digitalization policy, collect
API information and develop services to promote the formulation of smart city and smart local plans ineach region, and formulate and disseminate the Smart City Security Guidelines (Version 2.0).
Super Cities, which have received proposals for the designation of zones, will be designated by ensuring
fairness and transparency after deliberation by the Expert Committee on the Designation of Super City
Zones and the Council on National Strategic Special Zones.
In addition, in order to deploy smart city creation cases nationwide, the government will identify andhorizontally deploy cases in various fields, such as social implementation and acceleration of the use ofurban OS, lifestyle (health and child rearing), and greening (energy, zero carbon).
(International expansion of smart cities)
Japan has promoted initiatives such as encouraging sharing of knowledge between cities worldwide
through the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance in order to spread the knowledge gained through smart city
construction as an advanced country in the field of problem-solving, to have Japan’s smart city initiatives
and concepts gain wide recognition as a global norm and to contribute to the realization of a society thatshould be handed down to the next generation and the achievement of the SDGs. Going forward, efforts
will be made to promote international standardization as an international competition strategy for overseas
smart city projects (international markets), to conduct overseas public relations using the Smart City
Catalog, to accelerate project formation through the acceleration of smart city project formulation surveys
in the 10 ASEAN countries based on Smart JAMP 23, and to promote investment and financing.
⑥ Promoting R&D and social implementation to resolve various social issues and utilizing theconvergence of knowledge(Utilization of the convergence of knowledge)
In order to resolve various social issues, implement diverse and outstanding research results in society,22City operating system. A generic term for IT systems that facilitate the introduction of services in various fields to be introduced insmart cities by consolidating functions commonly used by regions seeking to realize smart cities.
23

Support measures for developing smart cities in ASEAN (Smart JAMP: Smart City supported by Japan ASEAN Mutual Partnership)13

and link them to innovation, it is necessary to utilize the convergence of knowledge which includes
knowledge not only from the natural sciences but also from the humanities and social sciences. The revisionof the Basic Act on Science, Technology, and Innovation, which took effect in April 2021, incorporates theneed to pay attention to ensuring appropriate responses to various social issues by comprehensively utilizing
knowledge on science and technology in all fields in order to promote the creation of science, technology,
and innovation. In addition, moves to promote collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders across theboundaries of academia and moves to search for solutions to social issues by integrating the humanities andsciences are becoming more active at universities, etc., and how they can be utilized in actual social
implementation is being questioned. Therefore, by the end of FY2021, the government will compile a basic
concept on the convergence of knowledge and measures to strategically promote the creation and utilizationof such knowledge, and will also consider relevant indicators, such as the degree of contribution to social
implementation.
(Preparation for the next SIP and promotion of the Moonshot Research and Development Program)
For mission oriented R&D programs such as the Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP), which
aim to solve specific social issues, not only R&D but also the improvement of various social systems, and
ELSI 24 from the initial stage of R&D has been promoted. In the first phase of SIP, social implementation,
which has achieved R&D results such as SIP4D, forging simulator, dynamic map, and road surface
condition grasping system by smartphone, were realized. In SIP Phase 2 as well, our country is tackling 12
issues to resolve social issues that Japan faces and to strengthen industrial competitiveness, including
automated driving, optical quantum technology, strengthening national resilience, and advanced diagnosis
and treatment systems through AI hospitals, while conducting R&D aimed at achieving social
implementation. In order to enhance the SIP system, a mid-term evaluation of the system was conducted in
FY2020 based on the operation guidelines, and recommendations were made for clarifying the definitionof social implementation and ensuring a sufficient period for formulating a research and development plan.
On the other hand, accelerating social reform by utilizing the results of advanced research and development
has become an issue. With regard to the next SIP, the government will identify social issues to be addressedover the medium term, investigate and examine technological development themes to be tackled acrossministries and agencies by utilizing the convergence of knowledge, and select candidates by the end of2021.
In the Moonshot Research and Development Program, despite the extension of the open recruitment
period due to COVID-19, following discussions at the Strategic Promotion Conference for Moonshot
Research and Development Program, research and development started in stages from October 2020
onwards, and events were also held to disseminate the content of research to people in Japan and abroad.
Going forward, while steadily promoting research and development in order to achieve the target, R&D
projects will be drastically strengthened in the fields of the environment, agriculture, AI, robotics, quantum
technology, health and medical care, through strengthening cooperation with other countries and flexible
target changes. In order to promote research and development more effectively using the convergence of24

ELSI: Ethical, legal, and social issues.
14

knowledge, the government will enhance cross-cutting support (ELSI support/mathematical science, etc.)
and strengthen international cooperation with Europe and the United States. In addition, outreach and public
relations activities for research results (such as the dissemination of information on social media and theestablishment of ambassadors) will be conducted, and cooperation with industry, which will play a key rolein social implementation, will be enhanced to achieve the targets. Furthermore, in order to build a society
for the future that takes into account changes in the socioeconomic situation caused by COVID-19, newMoonshot Goals will be established around the autumn of 2021, utilizing ideas from young researchers andother countries, and R&D projects will be launched toward their achievement by spring of 2022.
(Strengthening international standards strategy)
As we strive to resolve social issues and enhance its international competitiveness through the social
implementation of leading-edge technologies, the platform business based on cyber-physical systems (CPS)
is growing rapidly thanks to the advancement of digitalization. From the outset, this business model isdesigned to increase the benefits of networked solutions and services as the scale of users increases, and tocompete for speed of growth. In other countries, international standard strategies for connectivity are being
promoted from the business design and R&D stages as international competition strategies to capture global
markets. In Europe, the United States, China, and other countries, the strategic use of international standards
is being promoted by the public and private sectors as a whole, including the proactive involvement of top
management of global enterprises in management strategies, support for the use of standards by the private
sector by public standards organizations, and the active acquisition of important posts and lobbying tosecure influence in international forums such as international standards organizations. On the other hand,in our country, efforts and awareness by the public and private sectors are generally lagging. For this reason,
the our country will promote the strategic utilization of international standards through cooperation between
the public and private sectors under the uniform policy for initiatives by ministries and agencies under the
Task Force for the Promotion of Standards Utilization established in the Integrated Innovation Strategy
Promotion Council, including the strengthening of initiatives in important growth fields such as smart cities,
Beyond 5G, hydrogen and ammonia fuel, and smart agriculture, as well as support for collaboration among
government-affiliated research and development institutes, etc. for private sector standards strategies.
(Promotion of science and technology diplomacy)
Japan has been promoting science and technology diplomacy by utilizing various diplomatic
opportunities and funding projects to international organizations, but given. However, in light of recent
geopolitical changes, the challenge is to strengthen the foundations that support strategic deployment ofscience and technology diplomacy's strategic development, such as in those of the United States and theUnited Kingdom, with a stronger awareness of the perspectives of international cooperation andcompetition. For this purpose, the government will strengthen strategic cooperation between the Scienceand Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Advisory Board for Promoting Science andTechnology Diplomacy, and other relevant ministries and agencies, and promote science and technology
diplomacy in a government-wide effort.
In addition, through the Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP) and other15

programs, efforts to strengthen the international research network architecture have been steadily developed,
including the promotion of international joint research and the establishment of international research hubs.
In the future, we will strategically promote more strategic bilateral and multilateral international joint
research between Japan and the United States and other countries in leading-edge critical fields such as
quantum technology, AI, and materials, as well as an inter-organizational framework for research andhuman resource exchanges between universities in our country and high-level universities in Europe andthe United States. In addition, Japan will utilize its expertise in science, technology and innovation that
contributes to the resolution of social issues in developing countries and promote the creation of businessby Japanese companies in these fields through contributions to international organizations.
The government decided on a policy (at the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council in April
2021) to autonomously secure the soundness and fairness of research activities (research integrity) in
response to new risks associated with the internationalization and openness of research activities. In the
future, in cooperation with the research community, taking into account international trends andharmonization, the government will steadily implement measures that contribute to the autonomous
securing of research integrity, such as revision of common guidelines for competitive research fund projects
in early FY2021.
(2)Expanding the frontier of knowledge and strengthening research capabilities as a source of value
creation① Reconstruction of the environment that generates diverse and outstanding research(Support for doctoral course students)
In response to the major issue of improving the environment in which young and other researchers areplaced, such as a decrease in the rate of advancement to a doctoral program (18.7%: 1981 → 16.7%: 2000
→ 9.4%: 2020), unstable employment for young researchers, and a decrease in the number of research
hours for researchers, efforts have been made to improve the treatment of researchers, based on thecomprehensive package to strengthen research capacity and support young researchers formulated in
January 2020. In particular, support for students in doctoral programs will be steadily promoted. For
example, 20 billion yen will be added to the Fund for the Promotion of Emergent Research to support an
additional 7,800 students. In addition, in order to develop career paths in which young researchers can play
an active role not only in academia but also in a wide range of fields such as industry, in FY2021, thegovernment will conduct a survey to grasp the actual conditions of the active role of doctorate humanresources in industry and identify issues, and will also implement long-term paid internships from FY2021.
At the same time, the government will promote the establishment of a system to discover (match)
outstanding young researchers by companies and universities.
(Improvement of the research environment of young researchers)
In order to improve our country's research capabilities, it is important to secure excellent researchers,
mainly young researchers, and create an environment in which they can sit down and devote themselves toresearch. However, the ratio of those under 40 in a full-time university faculty as a whole has decreased toabout 20% (29.5% in FY2001 to 22.1% in FY2019), and the ratio of national university teachers under 40
16with fixed terms of office has increased to over 60% (38.8% in FY2007 to 64.2% in FY2017). As such,
unstable employment conditions for young researchers and a decrease in the number of research hours havebecome tangible challenges, so it is an urgent task to improve the research environment for young
researchers and others. Therefore, with the aim of creating an environment where outstanding young
researchers can take on the challenge of becoming an independent researcher while ensuring sufficient time
to devote to research, the government will develop a sustainable research system by supporting the securingof posts of young researchers and the promotion of young researchers across the entire organization,
through measures such as the preparation of an additional edition of the Guidelines for Personnel andRemuneration Management Reform during FY2021. In addition, the government will steadily implement
the Emerging Research Support Program 25, which provides continuous support for research funds related
to emergent research for up to ten years, and will promote priority support for young researchers andseamless support for outstanding researchers by, for example, targeting 30% of new applications for the
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) program. Furthermore, in order to develop research
management specialists who contribute to enhancing the research capabilities of universities, etc. and tosecure an environment in which researchers can concentrate on research, by the end of FY2021, thegovernment will promote the improvement of the research environment through the establishment of an
accreditation system for URAs 26 and the establishment of a team-based research system that integrates
advanced specialist materials such as URAs, such as a nationwide network for improving the skills ofengineers.
(Activities of female researchers)
With regard to the promotion of activities of female researchers, although efforts have been made to
develop an environment in which to balance life events such as childbirth and childcare with research, andto enhance support systems, etc., it is necessary to further accelerate activities in full-time university facultyfrom the viewpoint of increasing research diversity, as shown by the fact that the percentage of women infemale researchers is less than 30% (25.9% in FY2020) and the percentage of university teachers who areprofessors (president, vice president, professor) is less than 20% (17.7% in FY2020). Going forward, basedon the Sixth Basic Plan and the Fifth Basic Plan for Gender Equality 27, the government will promote further
efforts to promote the ratio of women in new employment and teaching positions at universities and publicresearch institutes, and implement follow-up, inspection, and evaluation in the middle year (2023) of theFifth Basic Plan for Gender Equality.
(Promotion of internationalization)
In order for our country to produce outstanding research, it is important to accumulate knowledge andexperience in different research cultures and environments overseas, and to increase opportunities foroverseas study and overseas experience so that researchers can actively engage in intellectual exchanges
25

A project to provide long-term support for free, challenging, and integrated research that is not bound by existing frameworks while

ensuring a research environment in which researchers can concentrate on their research.
26

URA: University research administrator.

27

Cabinet decision of December 25, 202017

with various entities. However, the number of researchers dispatched overseas in the medium to long term
has been on a decreasing trend in recent years (7,674 in FY2000 to 4,291 in FY2018), and the number of
researchers accepted from overseas has been flat (13,878 in FY2000 to 13,172 in FY2018), indicating thatJapan lags behind the flow of the international brain circulation in the global research network. In order toovercome this situation, it is an urgent task to promote the international brain circulation through theinternationalization of universities. In order to achieve this, in FY2021, the government will formulate andimplement strategies for the international deployment of science and technology, including support
measures and environmental improvements, in order to promote the strong promotion of international joint
research, and to expand overseas studies and experience of students and young researchers in Japan,
promote inter-organizational exchanges between overseas high-level universities and universities in ourcountry, invite excellent researchers from other countries, and promote the employment of foreign
researchers.
② Construction of a new research system (promotion of open science and data-driven research, etc.)(Importance of data utilization)
As the collection and analysis of various data such as big data, progresses, the impact of computer
simulations and new data-driven research using AI becomes even greater. In addition, COVID-19 has
accelerated the global trend of DX in research activities (Research DX), including research exchanges
becoming remote, remote connections to research facilities and equipment, and the expansion of datadriven research. For this reason, our country has also been promoting the early development of research
infrastructure, such as data platforms, networks, and computing resources, as well as the institutional
environment, such as various guidelines. In the post-corona era, thorough utilization and further
advancement of these are required.
(Promotion of management and utilization of research data with public funds)
In order to promote the management and utilization of research data obtained with public funds, “theBasic Concept on Management and Utilization of Research Data with Public Funds” 28 was formulated in
April 2021.In this basic oncept, the NII Research Data Cloud 29, which was put into entire operation in
FY2020, is positioned as core platform.In order to achieve a wide range of utilization by industry, academia,
and government, it is an issue to establish a system that can retrieve information concerning researchdata(metadata) by FY2023. Therefore, with regard to NII Research Data Cloud, the government willconsider specific measures to ensure a sustainable operation by FY2022 while further strengthening thesystem’s functions . In addition, the government will promote the formulation of data policies at researchand development institutions such as universities etc, and the regisration of research data in institutional
repositories. By FY2023, the government will introduce a mechanism to assign metadata to all new researchusing public research funds. The government will introduce a similar mechanism in the next SIP following
the introduction of the Moonshot Research and Development Program. In addition, by the end of FY2023,
the government will consider establishing a mechanism for cooperation between the research data
28

Decision made by the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council on April 27, 2021.

29

Started full-scale operation in FY2020 as core platform for managing and utilizingresearch data obtained with public funds.
18

infrastructure system and the field-specific data linkage infrastructure. In order to promote the management
and utilization of research data, the government will consider the direction of the development ofenvironment and support systems, and introduce the assessment of the status of efforts related to the
management and utilization of research data into the evaluation system.
(Infrastructure development supporting research DX and promotion of data-driven research)
As for the infrastructure supporting Research DX, the development of an ultra-high-speed, large-capacity
network (SINET) has been conducted as an academic information infrastructure. By FY2021, thegovernment will consider measures to develop an environment that can be utilized as the social
infrastructure of Japan that can utilize the knowledge of universities, etc., and in order to provide the mostadvanced research and education environment as the next-generation academic research platform, thegovernment will start integrated development and operation along with the research data infrastructure in
April 2022, and will continue to promote the advancement of the infrastructure and the research anddevelopment of necessary technologies. As for supercomputer computing resources, we started sharing thesupercomputer Fugaku in March 2021, and will promote the creation of results. As the future computing
infrastructure of our country will become an issue in the future, by the end of FY2021, with regard to nextgeneration computing resources, the government will evaluate supercomputers to date and examine thedirection of next-generation computing resources, and promptly implement necessary measures, such as
surveys and research based on the evaluation. In addition, it is a challenge to promote research anddevelopment based on new methodologies by utilizing platforms in various fields. In the fields of materials,
biotechnology and life sciences, global environment, oceans and disaster prevention, mathematical sciences,humanities and social sciences, we will promote data-driven research and development utilizing advanced
shared facilities and large-scale research facilities nationwide, as well as infrastructure and environment
development to support them.
③ Promoting university reform and enhancing functions for strategic management(Creation of world class universities)
Universities, which are the nodes of diverse knowledge and should be the largest and most advanced
foundation of knowledge, do not always have a clear individuality and mission to achieve, and the depth of
the university hierarchy is not fully utilized in creating value in our country. In particular, national
universities have been incorporated since 2004, and efforts have been made to improve the environment.
However, due to management by the national government, the limited discretion of universities, and thecommon follow-the-leader mentality within universities, they are still only halfway to realizing the"attractive national universities rich in vitality and individuality in a competitive environment" that wasenvisioned at the time of incorporation. For this reason, in December 2020, the Review Conference for the
Realization of Strategic Management of National University Corporations proposed the establishment of a
new framework for the relationship between national universities and the government ("autonomous
contractual relationship"), based on the basic philosophy of ex ante supervision and ex post facto checks,
so that national university corporations can expand their functions and have constant dialogue with society
at their discretion, toward the 4th mid-term target period, which starts in FY2022. The necessary systems
19are being developed.
However, in order for research universities in our country to be on par with the rest of the world, it isnecessary to review their missions, their functions and governance. To this end, the government willcompile an interim report by around the summer of 2021 on the requirements and necessary reforms forresearch universities that are on a par with the world. The government will also compile a conclusion on a
new legal framework by the end of 2021 and submit it to the next ordinary Diet session.
In addition, the government will compile a conclusion by the end of FY2021 on the allocation rule forthe new national university corporation budget subsidy, toward the 4th mid-term target period for national
university corporations, and link the conclusion with university reform.
(Strengthening the research foundation through University Endowment Fund)In the future, it will be necessary to break through the current situation of declining international
competitiveness of universities in Japan and their weakening financial foundations, and universities will be
required an even greater role in fostering human resources that will lead society, generating world-classresearch results, and creating university-originated startups that will lead social change, as the core ofinnovation ecosystem. For this reason, the government plans to expand University Endowment Fund to thescale of 10 trillion yen by the end of FY2021, in order to establish world-class with the aim of creatingworld class research universities, which will attract excellent human resources and abundant funds. By
making use of the investment profits, the government will provide long-term and stable support for thedevelopment of common facilities and data linkage infrastructure at universities that conduct research anddevelopment at a level comparable to that of the world, as well as for fostering young human resources.
The Basic Approach to Investment Policy of University Endowment Fund toward Building World-classResearch Universities will be formulated around the summer of 2021, and the fund operation will begin in
FY2021.
(Strengthening regional universities)
The policy direction of regional universities has always been to create universities with attractive
characteristics, taking into account the circumstances surrounding individual universities. However, it isdifficult to say that regional universities have been able to fully contribute to the development of the society
and economy of their respective regions by taking advantage of their characteristics and strengths.
Therefore, in light of the environment surrounding national, public and private universities, in order topromote the further strengthening of the characteristics of each university through the metabolism oforganizations based on the management policies of each university, and to contribute to the revitalizationof local communities and the enhancement of research capabilities of Japan as a whole, by the end of
FY2021, the government will formulate a package for the promotion of regional universities to strengthen
regional universities, establish them as bases for co-creation, and promote research and development that
leads to fostering human resources that are sought by local communities and resolving issues in local
communities, as well as promote diverse research activities that make use of the strengths of regional
universities.

20

(3)Education and fostering of human resources to realize the well-being of individuals and thechallenges they face
(Evolution of change)
While promoting education and fostering of human resources that realize the well-being of individuals,
it is necessary to create an environment in which human resources with the ability and motivation to facechallenges through trial and error can be produced, especially in a real society where there is not necessarily
a single solution. In recent years, however, positive changes toward education in a new era are emerging.
(Realization of the GIGA School Concept)
With the implementation of the GIGA 30 School Concept, elementary and junior high schools will
enhance their education using ICT under the concept of "one device per person" from FY2021, and for the
first time in 40 years, a reduction in the standard for the class structure of elementary schools (from 40 to
35 persons) will be implemented over five years from FY2021. The development of an environment for the
integrated enhancement of individualized optimal learning and collaborative learning that makes the mostof the diverse individuality of children has begun through the enhancement of detailed guidance, learning
activities and opportunities that are closely attuned to each individual.
In the future, the biggest challenge will be how to effectively utilize the ICT educational environmentthat is being developed by frontline schools and promote effective initiatives. To this end, the government
will strongly promote the development of school support systems, such as the early completion of thedevelopment of "one device per person" and a more generous assignment of ICT human resources. At thesame time, the government will steadily promote the reduction of teachers' burdens through the completionof the introduction of an integrated school administration support system, thereby creating an environment
in which schools can focus on ICT education. In addition, we will promote DX in the field of education,such as the use of educational data, and realize individualized and collaborative learning based on data.
(STEAM education/growth of unique talents/diverse teacher groups/subject-based teacher
assignments in elementary schools, etc.)
The new government curriculum guidelines, which have been in place since FY2020, emphasize crosscutting learning and exploratory learning, and in particular, the enhancement of math and science educationand information education in high schools. In addition, in order to enhance STEAM education 31, which isessential from the viewpoint of creating innovation, it is important not only to improve classes at schools,
but also to participate in and utilize external human resources and other resources to support learning. In
order to examine these specific measures, the government will promote the study of specific measures forthe enhancement of STEAM education and the establishment of an educational environment for thedevelopment of the abilities of children with special talents, at an expert meeting with the participation of30

GIGA: Global and Innovation Gateway for All

31

Cross-sectional education in science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, etc., to make use of learning in each subject forsolving problems in the real world.

21

members of the Central Council for Education to be established in the CSTI 32 in FY2021. Members of theIndustrial Structure Council shall participate in the council as appropriate in order to promote cooperation
with the business community. In addition, in order to strengthen science and mathematics education, Japan
will steadily promote initiatives such as support for high schools and other institutions providing advanced
science and mathematics education, review of the teacher's license system to make it easier for diverse
human resources with specialized knowledge and skills, such as those with advanced science andtechnology knowledge, to participate in schools, and promotion of a subject-based teacher assignment
system in the upper grades of elementary school.
(Improvement of recurrent education)
Given the drastic changes in the environment surrounding recurrent education, such as the diversificationof working styles, the double-tracking of career paths, and the emergence of a "new normal" triggered by
COVID-19, realizing an environment that enables those who wish to receive a diverse and high-quality
recurrent education will be a key to enhancing the mobility of people with motivation and abilities,
promoting the circulation of "knowledge" as a whole society, and leading to the creation of new value. In
this regard, although some universities have begun to diversify their education and fostering of humanresources, including the use of MOOCs 33, currently only on third of all students are students returning touniversities or other institutions after entering the workforce, indicating that recurrent education has notmade sufficient progress. Therefore, it is necessary to simultaneously promote the development of anenvironment and culture in which society and companies promote continuous learning, and thedevelopment of an environment for both recipients and providers of recurrent education. In the future, inorder to consider measures to promote the use of the educational and training leave system and to promote
the introduction of recurrent education for employees at companies, the relevant ministries and agencies
will newly establish a forum for discussion, and will study concrete measures to develop the environment
for the recipients, while promoting efforts to provide diverse curricula and programs at universities andtechnical colleges to develop the environment for the providers.
(4)Promoting sectoral strategies through public-private partnerships
Based on the fundamental technologies field of AI technology, biotechnology, quantum technology, andmaterials, as well as the sector-specific strategies for application fields of environmental energy, safety andsecurity, health and medical care, space, oceane, food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, the government
and the private sector will cooperate to steadily advance social implementation, R&D, and fostering of
human resources. Sectoral strategies will be flexibly formulated and reviewed.
See (1) and (2) for the environmental energy field and (1) and (3) for the safety and security field.

32

CSTI: Council for Science, Technology and Innovation. One of the important councils aimed at formulating plans and conducting

comprehensive coordination for comprehensive and basic science, technology and innovation policies from a position one level higher
than respective ministries, under the leadership of the Prime Minister and Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy.
33

Massive open online courses

22

(Fundamental technologies should be addressed strategically)① AI strategy
Based on AI Strategy 2019 34 and its follow-up, the government ministries have been steadily promoting
measures in cooperation. Based on the follow-up, the following initiatives will be promoted based on AI
Strategy 2021 35. In addition, based on the progress of DX and international trends, a new AI strategy will
be formulated by the end of 2021 with the aim of further promoting the social implementation of AI.
• In order to support the employment of many human resources who have participated in the certification
program of the Mathematical, Data Science, and AI Certification System and acquired basic skills
related to AI, etc., a forum will be established to consider further development of digital humanresources, and education reform will be carried out, including the start of examination of concretemeasures and the trial implementation of education on AI for government employees.
• Research and development will be carried out on deep learning theory systems, knowledge integration
AI technology, and multilingual simultaneous interpretation aiming for use at the 2025 World
Exposition, Osaka, Kansai, Japan. In addition, regarding research and development on explainable AI,
etc., the government will consider cooperation measures for the group of AI-related core centers andstart concrete efforts within FY2021.
• Based on the National Data Strategy, the government will promote the construction of a data utilization
environment and the social implementation of an AI service that utilizes prepared data, such as a baseregistry, domain specific data exchange platforms, and a comprehensive trust platform, as well as the
expansion of data federation by utilizing inter-domain data exchange infrastructure.
② Biotechnology
In order to realize the world's most advanced bio-economy in 2030, the government ministries have beensteadily promoting measures based on Bio Strategy 2019 36 and Bio Strategy 2020 37 . In particular,
examinations are being conducted so that the first phase of regional bio communities can be certified by
the summer of 2021. In order to expand the market area, it is necessary to aim for the establishment of abio first concept, a sustained virtuous cycle of people, goods, and money, and a sustainable, resilient,recycling-oriented community and a healthy community based on biotechnology all over Japan. To this end,
based on the Bio Strategy Follow-up 38, which is a polished version of the existing strategies, the following
initiatives will be promoted in particular.
• In light of the status of local bio-community recruitment and certification, by the end of FY2021, thegovernment will recruit and certify global bio-communities in the Tokyo area and the Kansai area tocreate an overall picture of a bio-community that is optimal for Japan. The government will also
accelerate the expansion of market areas by promoting the cooperation and utilization of bio-data.

34

Decision made by the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council on June 11, 201935

Decision made by the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council on June 11, 2021

36

Decision made by the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council on June 11, 201937

Fundamental measures: decision made by the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council on June 26, 2020; Definitive versionof market area measures: decision made by the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council on January 19, 2021
38

Decision made by the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council on June 11, 201923• The government will coordinate and develop the outcomes of the three major biobanks in Japan,
Tohoku Medical Megabank (TMM) Project, BioBank Japan (BBJ), and National Center for Biobank
Networks (NCBN), and advance the creation of large-scale genome and data infrastructure.
③ Quantum technology
As global momentum toward carbon neutrality rapidly increases and the use of real-time data to promote
behavioral change of people is becoming more sophisticated, secure and eco-friendly data utilization
technologies are key. For this reason, given that competition in the development of quantum technology,
which is a core technology, is intensifying, the following initiatives are being strongly promoted based on
the Quantum Technology Innovation Strategy39. In order to respond to recent environmental changes suchas growing concerns about economic security and carbon neutrality, the government will consider
fundamentally strengthening initiatives, including a review of strategies.
• For the quantum computer social implementation, research and development on quantum computers,
quantum AI, etc. will be advanced, and research and development on advanced control of solid state
quantum sensors, quantum life technology, etc. will be promoted with the aim of realizing quantum
measurement and sensing systems.
• With the aim of constructing a global quantum cryptography communication network, we will promoteresearch and development and demonstration to realize long-distance quantum cryptography
communication using various methods and networking.
• In addition, we will foster young researchers and engineers who are excellent at supporting quantum
technology, and "quantum natives" who have been using quantum technology from an early stage, will
be strategically developed. For this reason, in FY2020 the government will launch the Quantum Leap
Flagship Program (Q-LEAP) for fostering human resources and, from FY2021, will steadily promote
projects such as the creation of university fellowships toward the creation of science and technology
innovation.
• With the goal of establishing and creating more than five quantum technology innovation hubs in Japan
by FY2025, eight hubs were established by FY2020. In order to secure and strengthen international
competitiveness, research and development at each hubs will be accelerated, and cooperation amonghubs will be deepened and international cooperation will be promoted through the Promotion Councilof Quantum Technology Innovation Hubs (established in April 2021).
• Based on the Japan-U.S. Joint Leaders’ Statement of April 2021, Japan and the United States will
strengthen joint research and exchange of researchers in the field of quantum technology.
• In order to apply quantum technology to current industries and create new industries, the Quantum
Technology Innovation Council (tentative name) will be established by the end of this year.
④ Materials
Based on the Materials Innovation Strategy40 decided in April 2021, the following initiatives will bestrongly promoted.
39

Decision made by the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council on January 21, 2020

40

Decision made by the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council on April 27, 2021
24

• In the field of materials, there is an urgent need to improve the efficiency, speed, and sophistication ofresearch and development using data and AI, and it is necessary to promote data-driven research as arole model in other fields by promoting the sharing and utilization of unused data in addition to open
paper data, utilizing Japan's strengths such as high-quality real data, advanced research facilities andequipment, and human resources. Therefore, in order to promote data-driven research in the field ofmaterials, the development of common facilities and equipment capable of acquiring high-quality data,
the development of a database for aggregating, accumulating, and utilizing data generated from thesefacilities, and the implementation of AI analysis functions will be promoted.
• From the perspective of decarbonization and overcoming resource constraints, research anddevelopment will be promoted by concretizing priority technological issues through the use of datadriven research.
• With regard to manufacturing processes, which are the source of competitiveness in the materials field,
the government will work on the development and maintenance of fundamental technologies for dataacquisition from materials such as highly reliable ceramics and functional chemicals, and will promote
the construction and utilization of process databases.
(Strategic applied fields to be addressed)⑤ Health and medical care
Based on the second term Healthcare Policy 41 and Plan for Promotion of Medical Research andDevelopment 42 formulated in March 2020, the following initiatives will be strongly promoted. Moreover,in order to strengthen the vaccine development and production system in Japan, the strategy forstrengthening systems to develop and produce vaccines 43 will be steadily promoted.
• In order to promote research and development in the medical field, the government will promote
integrated research and development from the basics to practical application in the medical field,
centering on support from AMED 44, in cooperation with other funding agencies, in-house research
institutes, and private companies. At the same time, the government will promote challenging researchand development in the Moonshot Research and Development Program and accelerate the rapid social
implementation of cutting-edge technologies.
• In order to improve the environment for research and development in the medical field, the following
will be promoted: development of systems and mechanisms at support bases in translational researchcore hubs and clinical research core hospitals; development and securing of specialist human resources
such as biostatisticians and specialists in regulatory science; and dissemination and enhancement ofregulatory science in research and development.
• As a platform for the utilization of data obtained from AMED-supported R&D, the government willconsider a mechanism for the safe, secure, and efficient utilization of quality-controlled data in
41

Cabinet Decision of March 27, 2020

42

Decision made by the Headquarters for Healthcare Policy on March 27, 2020

43

Cabinet decision of June 1, 2021

44

AMED: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development25

industry-academia R&D, and will aim for the early commencement of its operation.
• The government will steadily promote the Action Plan for Whole Genome Analysis 45 and Roadmap
2021 46. In addition to providing new individualized medicine to patients for whom treatment had notbeen available, the government will promote the establishment of a system that enables the relevant
parties in industry, government, and academia to analyze and utilize the information widely.
• To create new industries, the government will promote health management to advance the health careindustry outside the public insurance system, promote regional and occupational cooperation, andpromote efforts to improve the health of individuals.
• With a view to contributing to the achievement of UHC 47 , the government will promote overseas
operations by Japan’st health and medical-related industries, aiming to contribute to the autonomous
promotion of industries in each country and a wide range of health and medical fields, under the Asian 48
and African Health and Wellbeing Initiatives 49.
⑥ Space
The government will steadily promote initiatives based on the Basic Plan on Space Policy 50 andtimetable. In particular, as the international situation surrounding space intensifies, it is increasingly
important to maintain and strengthen the autonomy of Japan's space activities, including from the viewpointof security, and to strengthen responses to future-oriented needs such as carbon neutrality, disastercountermeasures, and national resilience. From this perspective, the government will work to further
strengthen space policy by establishing a small satellite constellation, developing and demonstrating
fundamental technologies in cooperation with industry, government and academia (space computing,
optical communications, quantum cryptography, fundamental technologies necessary for satellite
constellations, digitalization, advanced sensors, etc.), developing satellites based on disaster response andother needs, researching and developing the Space Solar Power Systems, developing key rockets such as
the H3 rocket and research and development for an innovative future space transport systems, promoting
the Artemis Program and the Martian Moon eXploration (MMX) Program, promoting the fostering of
human resources and other programs, and strengthening the mission assurance of the entire space system 51
to ensure stable utilization of outer space.

45

Action Plan for Whole Genome Analysis (first edition). Released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on December 20,

2019
46

Action Plan for Whole Genome Analysis Roadmap 2021. Released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on June 9, 2021.

47

UHC: Universal health coverage. It refers to the condition in which all people can receive appropriate health and medical services suchas prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation at affordable costs, and is positioned as one of the targets of the SDGs.
48

Basic Principles of the Asia Health and Wellbeing Initiative (Decision made by the Headquarters for Healthcare Policy on July 29,

2016, revised on July 25, 2018)49

Basic Principles of the Africa Health and Wellbeing Initiative (decided by Headquarters for Healthcare Policy on June 20, 2019)50

Cabinet Decision of June 30, 2020

51

Mission assurance refers to the assurance of the ability to achieve the goals of relevant systems continuously and stably through thedetection and avoidance of threats and risks, strengthening of the systems’ own survivability, early function recovery, etc. even insituations in which space-related threats and risks emerge.

26

⑦ Ocean
Based on the Basic Plan on Ocean Policy 52, the following measures will be strongly promoted.
• Efforts will be made to promote measures against marine plastic litter, the development anddemonstration of ocean resources survey technology the introduction of offshore wind power
generation taking into consideration the Vision for Offshore Wind Power Industry (first) formulated
in December 2020, and to contribute to taking measures in the international shipping sector against
climate change by promoting the development and implementation practical application of lowcarbon and decarbonizing decarbonization technologies for ships formulating international rules topromote the spread of new greener ships.
• In order to promote observation and research in the Arctic, from where observation data is notavailable, the government will steadily construct the Arctic research vessel by around 2026. Basedon the joint statement adopted at the Third Arctic Science Ministerial in May 2021, the government
will work to develop human resources for observation and research through international cooperationand cooperation with other countries.
• As part of the strengthen the capacity for Maritime Domain Awareness(MDA) 53, efforts will be madeto upgrade and increase the efficiency of ocean observation technologies in order to make the mostof Japan's vast exclusive economic zone. To share and utilize ocean data, the government will
enhance the functions of the advanced information sharing systems will be enhanced with looking
ahead of further utilization. With regard to the MDA Situational Indication Linkages (MSIL)thegovernment will improve the environment of will be created to steadily facilitating ocean data
linkage by FY2022.
⑧ Food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries
Japan's food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industries face severe challenges, including climatechange and the large-scale natural disasters associated with it, weakening of production bases, such as theaging and decline of producers, and responding to changes in production and consumption triggered by
COVID-19. On the other hand, the SDGs and environmental measures have come to be emphasized invarious industries, and it is necessary to appropriately respond to them in the food, agriculture, forestry andfisheries industries in our country. In addition, it is necessary for Japan to propose a new food system fromthe standpoint of the Asian monsoon region in international discussions. Therefore, the establishment of asustainable food system with the future of agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries and of the region inmind has become an urgent issue.
Under these circumstances, in May 2021, the government formulated the Strategy for Sustainable Food
Systems as a new policy to achieve a balance between improving productivity and sustainability in the food,agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industries through innovation.
The strategy sets technology development targets and social implementation targets for the entire supply
chain, from procurement to production, processing, distribution, and consumption, as goals from the52

The Third Basic Plan on Ocean Policy was approved by the Cabinet on May 15, 2018. The Basic Act on Ocean Policy stipulates thatthe Basic Plan on Ocean Policy shall be reviewed approximately every five years.
53

MDA: Maritime Domain Awareness.
27perspectives of (1) reducing greenhouse gas, (2) reducing the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, (3)reducing labor and improving productivity, and (4) maximizing the use of local resources. In order toachieve these targets, the strategy will draw on the ambitious efforts of stakeholders from procurement toproduction, processing, distribution, and consumption, and will work on the development of innovativetechnologies and production systems and social implementation.
(5)Revitalizing the flow of funds to create knowledge and value(Enhancement of investment in science, technology and innovation)
During the Fifth Basic Plan period, the government secured approximately 26.1 trillion yen(approximately 28.6 trillion yen when including Green Innovation Fund projects and University
Endowment Fund on a scale of 10 trillion yen) for research and development investment. In FY2019, theresearch and development investment of the public-private sectors was 19.6 trillion yen (3.50% of GDP) 54.
However, other countries are also significantly increasing their investment in science, technology andinnovation. In order for Japan to survive the fierce competition with other countries, it is important to securea bold scale of government research and development investments and, using it as a catalyst, expand
research and development investment in the public-private sectors.
During the period of the Sixth Basic Plan, the government will steadily expand the government budget
for science and technology, while giving due consideration to the constant improvement of the quality ofscience and technology and innovation policies and fiscal sustainability, including through the thoroughimplementation of EBPM. In the next five years, the government will strive to achieve investment targetsof 30 trillion yen in research and development investment and 120 trillion yen in research and development
investment between the public and private sectors, leading the international R&D competition.
(Promotion of innovation in government projects and induction of private investment)
Furthermore, with a view to realizing Society 5.0, the government will promote the innovation of all
public and private investments, including government projects, so as to the social implementation of theresults of science, technology and innovation. For this purpose, the government will promote innovation ingovernment projects in a wide range of fields, and take necessary measures to induce private investment,such as promoting the application of the R&D Tax Credit System and promoting ESG investment andfinancing and impact finance.
(6)Strengthening control tower functions in Council for Science, Technology and Innovation① Strengthen functions to utilize the convergence of knowledge and formulate and disseminate
information on policies for the future
By the end of FY2021, the government will compile measures to strategically promote the basic concept
and the creation and utilization of the convergence of knowledge that contributes to the comprehensive
understanding of human beings and society and the solution of problems through the fusion of knowledge
in the humanities and social sciences and knowledge in the natural sciences.

54

Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 2020 Results of the Survey of Research and Development28

In formulating science, technology, and innovation policies, it is important to increase public
understanding and interest through science and technology communication and information dissemination
to various sectors in a multilayered manner. In March 2021, the Cabinet Office started to disseminate
information on science, technology, and innovation policies using social media, and will continue andenhance dissemination of information through various media.
Furthermore, in light of the importance placed on trans-science 55 in society, we will follow up on efforts
by each stakeholder to consider ways to deal with problems with a trans-science-like structure.
② Strengthening policymaking functions and ensuring policy effectiveness through the use of theevidence system (e-CSTI)
In order to formulate effective science, technology, and innovation policies, Japan has worked to further
upgrade the analytical functions of e-CSTI 56, and has promoted the sharing of analytical functions withrelated ministries and agencies, national universities, national research and development agencies, and otherrelated organizations.
In the future, as the scope of capturing consolidated data, such as public research funds, research papers,
and university finances, is expanded to include literature information, such as Japanese papers and preprints,
it will become necessary to deal with the increasing complexity of extracting and analyzing factors thathave a significant impact on research productivity. To this end, AI technology will be used to enhance theanalysis of the relationship between research funds and research results. At the same time, the government
will steadily strengthen the functions that enable analysis from various perspectives, such as policy analysis
concerning researcher mobility, analysis of the relationship between the needs of fostering human resourcesin the industry and the educational content provided by universities, and visualization of budding researchseeds for further activation of industry-academia collaboration activities, by expanding the analytical
functions in fields for which detailed analysis had not been possible so far.
Furthermore, in order to promote the implementation of EBPM by the relevant ministries and agencies,
schemes will be established to facilitate the smooth use of e-CSTI data.
③ Implementation of policy evaluation and formulation of integrated strategies linked to the Sixth
Basic Plan
In the Sixth Basic Plan, the indicators for monitoring its progress was set. Perspectives for the evaluation,
analysis and monitoring of the Basic Plan were arranged at the expert panel on evaluation meeting held in
February 2021. In the future, we will monitor the main indicators and reference indicators of the Basic Plan
based on these, grasp the progress of the Basic Plan, develop methods for evaluating and analyzing the
progress, and reflect the evaluation results in the formulation of the integrated strategy.
④ Ensuring effectiveness of control tower function
55

A question that can be asked of science but cannot be answered by science alone.

56

A system that accumulates scientific, technological, and innovation-related data (data on inputs (trends in funding and humanresources), activities (activities of universities, research and development agencies, etc.), outputs (research papers, patents, etc.), andoutcomes (economic and social trends, etc.)) and enables policy makers and corporate operators to easily analyze the data.
29

In April 2021, the Science, Technology, and Innovation Promotion Secretariat was established in the
Cabinet Office. Through the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council, etc., the government will
strengthen coordination with relevant control tower councils and relevant ministries and agencies. In the
future, the functions and systems of the control tower will be reviewed as necessary, taking into accountthe strengthening of the control tower function by the Science, Technology, and Innovation Promotion
Secretariat.
In Science Council of Japan, "Toward a Better Role for Science Council of Japan 57" was just reported.
It is important to incorporate external viewpoints, such as those from industry and academia, into themodality of Science Council of Japan. As part of this, the government will first hold policy discussions on
the modality of Science Council of Japan at the advisory panel of experts in the Council for Science,
Technology and Innovation established within the Cabinet Office, in order to deepen discussions.

57

April 22, 2021, Science Council of Japan
30

Chapter II Science, technology and innovation policy toward realization of Society 5.0
1. Transformation into a sustainable and resilient society that ensures the safety and security of thepeople(1)Creating new value through the fusion of cyberspace and physical space[Ideal vision and direction toward its realization]
In order to realize Society 5.0, cyberspace and physical space will be able to merge and create newvalue by creating a high-quality digital twin using a wide variety of data in cyberspace. On the basis of
this digital twin, physical space will be changed by actively using AI, and the result will be reproduced
in cyberspace. This society will be transformed into a society that creates a dynamic virtuous cycle thatis constantly changing.
To this end, we will build a sustainable and resilient society that secures the safety and security of thepeople by building and fully utilizing this new social system infrastructure and tackling global issues anddomestic system reform, while reviewing necessary regulations under the control tower and national
strategy to realize a digital society. It is also necessary to build a rational cyberspace based on the overallarchitecture, from strategy to infrastructure and human resources, and to reform physical space's businessand industrial structure continuously on the premise of its utilization.
Such a society is supported by human resources and social infrastructure. To develop a large numberof human resources capable of playing an active role in every field of society with a background inmathematics, data science and AI. In addition, we will implement technologies that utilize data and AI inan environment where next-generation infrastructure has been established all over the country. Throughthese efforts, we will build a foundation that enables anyone, anytime, anywhere, to use data and AI tocreate services that have never been possible before.
In addition, the government will play the role of a "data holder platform" and promote the developmentof a base registry and the standardization and opening to the private sector of data related toadministrative services. In the fields of education, medical care, disaster prevention, etc. the public andprivate sectors will jointly utilize a safe, secure, and reliable data platform developed by the government,
thereby creating a digital twin in cyberspace based on a wide variety of data concerning all goods andservices.
Furthermore, by establishing a reliable data distribution environment, ensuring security and privacy,
and establishing fair rules, we will activate highly convenient services that are developed and provided
in various fields to support the mutual provision and utilization of data by companies and the convenienceand safety of citizens. At the same time, we will respond to the negative aspects and ethical issues
associated with the social implementation of data and AI, thereby promoting the social participation ofdiverse people and accelerating the development of society in Japan and overseas.
In response to these changes, a virtuous cycle will be created in which business reforms anddigitalization based on the use of data will be carried out in all areas of business, industrial structures will
be reformed and international industrial competitiveness will be improved, the social acceptance of data
use by the people and the awareness of corporate cooperation will be heightened, and the use of data31

across national borders will be further promoted.
By realizing such a society, Japan will support efforts to build a sustainable, safe, and secure society
and to resolve various social issues. At the same time, Japan will send out to the world the vision of ourcountry as the first country in the world to realize Society 5.0.
[Target]・ The completion of the Data Strategy will enable cyberspace and physical space to transform society
into one that creates a dynamic virtuous cycle, enabling anyone, anytime, anywhere, to create newvalue using data and AI with confidence.
[Key targets in science, technology, and innovation policies] (Key indicators)
・ Create an environment in which everyone, including startups and researchers, can collaborate andconnect data across disciplines
Disaster prevention: All prefectures
Smart cities: About 100 local governments and regions (including startup and ecosystem hub cities)[Current data] (Reference index)

・
・
・
・
・

Status of opening of administrative service-related data (open data type): 27,635 58
Percentage of enterprises engaging in DX: 41.5% user companies, 33.8% IT companies (2020) 59
ICT market size: 99.1 trillion yen (2018) 60
IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking: 27th place/out of 63 countries (2020)
Number of cross-sectional data infrastructure searchable catalog sets: 52,797 (Of which are private:
5,535) 61

・ Number of sites offering the above catalog sets: 35 (Of which are private: 1) 62
・ Published metadata of publicly funded research data included in the Research Data Infrastructure
System (organizations, programs, etc.) 63
・ Status of telecommunications network development: 5G infrastructure deployment rate (no index as ofthe end of March 2020) 64, 530,000 households without fiber-optic infrastructure (as of the end of March
2020) 65
・ Awareness about Society 5.0, expectations and concerns about services: 12.9% awareness (2019) 66
58

From Data.go.jp. As of November 27, 2020.

59

IPA, IT Human Resources White Paper 2020

60

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 2020 White Paper on Information and Communications in Japan61

As of October 202062

As of October 2020

63

In Chapter 2, 2. (2), it is stipulated that systematic assignment of metadata for research data obtained with public funds will bepromoted by FY2023, and a system will be established in which such metadata can be retrieved on the research data infrastructure
system from the same year.
64

The ratio of the number of grid squares in which advanced specified 5G base station have been established to the total of

approximately 4,500 grid squares in a 10 km2 grid nationwide.
65

As of the end of March 2020. Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications survey.

66

The Fifth Science and Technology Basic Plan Review (August 2020)32

・ Number of Certified Education Programs under the Mathematical, Data Science, and AI Education
Program Certification System
R&D expenditure in the ICT field: 2,362.4 billion yen (FY2019) 67① Strategy and organization for building cyberspace
Specific measures under the Basic Plan
Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation○ Under the Basic Policy for Reform・In the current ordinary ・Establishment of the Digitalfor the Realization of a Digitalsession of the Diet,
Agency in September 2021
Society, we will launch a Digital
relevant laws
based on the Digital Agency
Agency during 2021 as a control
concerning theEstablishment Act. [IT]tower for the formation of a digital
establishment of thesociety, which will have a powerful
Digital Agency incomprehensive coordination function
September this year
(advisory authority, etc.), form plans,
were passed.
and will manage and supervise
information systems of the national
government, local governments,
quasi-public departments, etc., 68 as
well as develop important systems byitself..[IT 69]○ We will review regulations from the・Administrative
・Review regulations thatviewpoint of promoting the formation
procedures requiringcontribute to the formation ofof a digital society.
[IT,seals will be reviewed,
a digital society. [IT,Regulations Office, and relevant
and the obligation toRegulatory Reform, relevant
ministries and agencies]
affix seals will be
ministries and agencies]
abolished for 99.2%(15,493 types) of thetotal. The necessary
measures, such as therevision of
government andministerial ordinances
to abolish the
obligation of affix
seals for 15,188 types,
or 97.3% of the total,have been completed
by the end of FY2020.
The remaining 305
types are scheduled to
be abolished soon after
FY2021.
○ We will clarify the action principles
・The Data Strategy
・Compilation of theof each player, including(First Report) was
Comprehensive Data Strategy
administrative organs and the private
formulated at the end
in June and promotion of
sector, regarding data, and confirm
of 2020, and avarious measures based on it.
the progress of measures taken by thecomprehensive data
[IT, STI]
67

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 2020 Results of the Survey of Research and Development (December 2020)

68

For local governments and quasi-public departments, etc., limited to systems for which subsidies from the national government are

granted.
69

After the launch of the Digital Agency in 2021, the Digital Agency will handle operations. Hereinafter the same applies.
33

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

relevant ministries and agencies fromFY2021, starting with theformulation of the First Report at theend of FY2020, with regard to data
strategies for building cyberspace andcreating new business andadministrative services using data,and constantly review and implement
them. [IT, STI]

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
strategy will becompiled in June
2021.

Future action policy② Development of data platforms and provision of highly convenient data utilization services
Specific measures under the Basic Plan
Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation○With regard to the base registry
・The base registry will・Some of the preceding(individuals, corporations, addresses,
be specified at the end
projects for the base registryland, offices, etc.), which will be theof May 2021
started operation in FY2021.
basis of data utilization services, the[IT, relevant ministries andrelevant ministries and agencies ofagencies]
the data holder and the IT
Headquarters will cooperate to
examine the direction of development
by June 2021. Some of the preceding
projects will start operation by theend of FY2021, and the development
of data standards will be sequentially
implemented. [IT, relevant ministries
and agencies]○We will enable each citizen to enjoy
・Various initiatives are
・Based on the Digital Agency
the same level of detailed
underway with the aim
Establishment Act, theadministrative services and toof shifting toestablishment of the Digital
perform procedures online in bothinformation systems
Agency in September 2021
regional and urban areas. For thisthat conform to theand the promotion of various
purpose, the government will
standards by FY2025.
initiatives aimed at thepromote integration and unification oftransition to information
government information systems
systems that conform to thewhile ensuring mutual cooperation
standards by FY2025 arethrough standardization andbeing implemented. [IT, MIC]
unification, and promote the reformof administrative services andoperational systems from the users’
point of view in an integrated manner
while facilitating cooperation withprivate systems. By doing so, we willfurther improve the convenience of
citizens and businesses and reduce
operating costs (by 30% by FY2025
compared to FY2020). The
government will also promote
standardization and commonizationof information systems pertaining to34

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

17 operations of local governments 70
and aim to shift to information
systems conforming to standards(standard specifications) by FY2025.
Based on the effects ofstandardization and cloud computing,the government will aim to reduce
operating costs of local governments’
information systems by at least 30%
from FY2018 by FY2026, when theshift to standards-based systems isscheduled to be completed. [IT ,MIC]○In the fields of education, medicalcare, disaster risk reduction, etc., thegovernment and the private sector
will work together to develop andimplement a data platform that willcontribute to the creation of private
services by 2025 in accordance withthe timeline of the data strategy. At
the same time, the government will
aim to establish and implement
measurable indicators for thedevelopment and utilization of thedata platform. [IT , STI, Disaster,
MEXT, MHLW, MLIT, relevant
ministries and agencies]○With regard to private services, inorder to establish a data sharing
platform in a collaborative area assoon as possible, the government will
work on the creation of model cases
by FY2021. In addition, in order tostrengthen Japan's industrial
competitiveness and distribute datasafely and securely,, IPA 71 willdevelop and design architectures
including standards to connect
systems and data individuallydeveloped by different business andfields, and draw conclusions in
multiple fields by FY2022. [METI]○In order to solve problems related todata distribution and utilization
across fields and common problems
70

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation

Future action policy

・We are studying the・Compilation of theideal form of platforms
Comprehensive Data Strategy
in each field, includingin June and promotion ofhealth, medical care,various measures based on it.
nursing care,[IT , STI, Disaster, MEXT,MHLW, MLIT, relevant
education, and disaster
ministries and agencies]
prevention.

・Steady progress based ・Creation of model cases of theon project plans.
data sharing platform inthe ofprivate sector collaboration
area in FY2021 [METI]
・Conducting considerations on
about the architecture toconnect for systems and dataof different business andfields, with setting the goal ofreaching a conclusion by
FY2022. [METI]・Launch of the DSA in
December 2020,
development of・Steady implementation ofefforts to upgrade connectors
and implement connectors on

Information systems related to administrations directly related to people’s lives and that require mutual connections (17 operations ofBasic Resident Register Network, voter registration list management, property tax, individual inhabitant’s tax, corporate inhabitant’s tax,
light vehicle tax, national health insurance, national pension, disabled persons welfare, late-stage elderly medical care, long-term care,child allowance, public assistance, health care, schooling, child-rearing allowance, and child and childcare support)
71

Information-technology Promotion Agency

35

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
faced by relevant organizations byconnectors, release ofmobilizing the wisdom of industry,
V 1.0 (September
academia, and government in terms2020), etc.
of technology, systems, and human・The Data Strategy TF
resources to build a sustainable data
was resumed inecosystem, we will build a datapreparation for thecollaboration mechanism between
compilation in June
fields with DSA 72 as the core in
2021.
2023. We will promote the・Deadline for public
interconnection of data infrastructure
applications for thefor each field, data collaboration
designation of super
infrastructure for smart cities andcity-type special
super cities, and research data
national strategic
infrastructure systems, which will bezones, and start ofbuilt on research and development
research and study for
issues (SIP, etc.) implemented by thethe designation of
Cabinet Office, and will work onzones.
raising awareness through DSA and・In order to create more
smart cities public-private
advanced examples ofcollaboration platform 73. In addition,
smart cities, a joint
review meeting for
we will examine measures to realize
smart city projects wasmore advanced data utilization in line
held by the ministries
with the expansion of the role ofand agencies
administrative organs as data holder
concerned.
platforms, the increase ininternational data distribution, andthe development of services using
data and AI. [IT, STI, Disaster,
Police, FSA, MIC, MEXT, MHLW,
MAFF, METI, MLIT, MOE]

Future action policy

data bases inside and outsideof SIP. [STI]・Compilation of theComprehensive Data Strategy
in June and promotion ofvarious measures based on it.
[IT, STI, Disaster, Police,
FSA, MIC, MEXT, MHLW,
MAFF, METI, MLIT, MOE]
・Construction of data linkage
infrastructure andimplementation of advanced
services through the super city
project. [OPDVLE, relevant
ministries and agencies]
・Dissemination of information
on smart city cases selectedby the joint review meeting.
[STI, relevant ministries andagencies]③ Building a reliable data distribution environment, including data governance rules
Specific measures under the Basic Plan
Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation○By the end of FY2021, we will
・The present state and・Compilation of theconsider the current situation, issues,
problems ofComprehensive Data Strategy
and rules for the development of anenvironmental
in June and promotion ofenvironment for promoting data
improvement forvarious measures based on it.
distribution (information banks, data
promoting data
[IT, SIPSH, STI, PPC, MIC,
transaction markets, etc.), and draw a
distribution and its
METI]
conclusion on them. [IT, SIPSH, STI,
rules are being
PPC, MIC, METI]
examined.
○In order to promote the utilization of・In the Data Strategy
・Compilation of thedata held by the private sector, by the
TF held on March 31,
Comprehensive Data Strategy
72

DSA: Data Society Alliance. Established in December 2020. Called dataex.jp (tentative name) since the launch of a preparatory

council for the establishment of a new organization in July 2020. Going forward, DSA will provide functions related to data connection
under the name DATA-EX.
73

Established in August 2019 for the purpose of accelerating public and private sector cooperation for smart city efforts based on

Integrated Innovation Strategy 2019 (Cabinet decision of June 2019).
36

Specific measures under the Basic Planend of FY2021, we will consider
ideal rules for the handling of data
held by the private sector, such as
easing the concerns of citizens andcompanies on the side of providing
data, and improving the reliability oforganizations and to which data isprovided. [IT, SIPSH, PPC, relevant
ministries and agencies]○With regard to trust services that
support the data society as a whole,such as personal authentication andassurance of data authenticity, thedirection of resolution will be
indicated by the end of FY2021, andimprovements will be made startingwith those that are possible by
FY2025. [IT, MIC, METI]

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
this paper reports theideal way of handlingrules of data held by
the private sector.

・A working team willbe established under
the Data Strategy Task
Force to examine thedata trust frameworkand summarize theissues.

Future action policy

in June and promotion ofvarious measures based on it.
[IT, SIPSH, PPC, relevant
ministries and agencies]
・In FY2021, the government
will continue to consider how
to handle private-sector data.
[IT, SIPSH, PPC, relevant
ministries and agencies]
・The direction of resolution
will be indicated by the end of
FY2021, and improvements
will be made in order fromwhat is possible by FY2025.
[IT, MIC, METI]④ Development and R&D of next-generation infrastructure and data/AI utilization technologies forthe digital society
Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation○We will realize next-generation social ・Progress is being made ・Continue to steadily implement
infrastructure suitable for data and AI
based on each projectprojects in line with initialusage in terms of power saving, highplan.
targets. [G-spac, Space, MIC,
reliability, and low delay, which will ・Research and
MEXT, METI]
be spread like a net over the wholedevelopment on
・Based on the strategy for thecountry. For this purpose, thesemiconductors andsemiconductor and digitaldevelopment of 5G / optical fiber will
post-5G is being
industries, we will promote
be promoted. The 5G will cover 98%
conducted with a fundthe development andof the country by the end of FY2023,
established by the New
manufacturing locations ofand the number of undeveloped
Energy and Industrial
advanced semiconductor
optical fiber households will decrease
Technology
technologies, promote theto about 170,000 by the end of
Development
optimal location of nextFY2021. In addition, theOrganization (NEDO).
generation data centers,development and improvement ofdevelop advanced technology
next-generation computing
bases in academia, andtechnologies including space systems
accelerate basic research that(positioning, communication,
will contribute to the industry
observation, etc.), geospatial (Gto social implementation.
space) information, SINET, and high[METI, MEXT, MIC, STI]
performance computing (HPC) interms of software and hardware,quantum technology, semiconductors,
and R&D for post-5G and Beyond
5G will be promoted. [G-space,Space, MIC, MEXT, METI]○In addition to the development of・Research and・We will promote R&D
post-5G systems and semiconductors
development on post
between the public and37

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situationused in such systems, the government
5G andprivate sectors by utilizing thewill promote R&D by mobilizing thesemiconductors was
R&D Fund and radio
wisdom of both the public andfunded by the New
spectrum usage fees, with theprivate sectors by utilizing research
Energy and Industrial
aim of establishing elemental
and development funds in order toTechnology
technologies sequentiallyestablish elemental technologies
Developmentfrom around 2025. [MIC,
gradually from around 2025 toward
Organization (NEDO).
METI]
the realization of Beyond 5G.. [MIC, ・A budget and legal
・With the Beyond 5G New
METI]
revisions to create
Business Strategy Center at its
funds to promotecore, we will conduct
Beyond 5G researchseminars based on the results
and development wereof the public call forestablished.
proposals, strengthen the・Started R&D on someprovision of various
issues at the National
information, acquire
Institute ofintellectual property rights,
Information andand conduct full-scale efforts
Communications
toward international
Technology (NICT)
standardization. [MIC]
where the project is
・We will conduct international
implemented.
joint research with strategic
・In December 2020, thepartners in order to promote
Beyond 5G New
international standardization
Business Strategy
activities from the initial stage
Center was establishedof R&D. [MIC]with the participationof key players fromindustry, academia,
and government.
Seminars are being
held and proposals for
activities to beundertaken by theCenter are bingsolicited.
○In order to provide services tailored to ・Augmentation of・Further promote core researcheach and every person making fullcomputing resources atand development based on AI
use of next-generation infrastructure,
AI-related core centers
Strategy 2021. [STI, MIC,
data, and AI, we will engage in core
was conducted.
MEXT, METI]
infrastructure R&D as specified in AI ・Basic and- Conduct the world's most
Strategy 2019. [STI, MIC, MEXT,
comprehensive R&D
advanced research, including
METI]
based on the strategy
the establishment of a theory
has been implemented,
system for deep learning.
and the following- Conduct R&D on multilingual
results have been
simultaneous interpretation
obtained.
that captures the context and- As a theory of deep
speaker's intention for use atlearning, it is
the Expo 2025 Osaka,mathematicallyKansai, Japan.
proven that global- Implementation of the
optimization isdevelopment of challenging
possible, thatknowledge-integration AI
prediction
technologies to innovate
performance is highindustrial structures.
even in high- Regarding research and38Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
dimension, and thatreversible neuralnetwork models have
universal
approximation power.
- Introduced deeplearning into
multilingualtranslation
technology to achievea practical level ofaccuracy in short
sentence sequential
translation.
Commercializationand popularization ofprivate translation
services using
technology
transferred from
NICT haveprogressed. We alsobegan research anddevelopment torealize simultaneous
multilingualinterpretation.
- Based on the theory ofquantum physics, wedeveloped a new deeplearning technology
capable ofinterpreting thecontent of calculation
physico-chemically,and by introducing
the theory of wave
function to this, we
succeeded insignificantly
improving theaccuracy of physicalproperty extrapolation
prediction forunknown compounds.

Future action policy

development of explainable
AI, etc., and the ethicalexamination as theconvergence of knowledge
with researchers in thehumanities and social
sciences added, we will
examine the cooperation
measures of the AI-related
core center group, and start
concrete measures by theend of FY2021.

⑤ Fostering human resources who will play a vital role in the digital society
Specific measures under the Basic Plan
Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation○From FY2021, the government will
・Progress on schedule,
・Steady implementation of theaccelerate dialogue between
including the launch of
Mathematics, Data Science,39Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
universities and the government, andthe Mathematics, Data
industry to further enhance the
Science, and AI
system for education of knowledge
Education Programand abilities, which will form theCertification Systemfoundation of a digital society, in(Literacy Level) in
cooperation with industry, academia,
FY2020.
and government, so that human・The Ministry of
resources who will play a leading
Education, Culture,role in the digital society will beSports, Science andproduced and employed and will beTechnology andable to play an active role in society.
Keidanren are jointly
In this way, the government willrunning a committee tofoster a common understanding of theimplement long-term
ideal way of employment and thepaid internships inmatching of learning provided bydoctoral programs.
higher education by promoting the・In order to respond todevelopment of a system for the early
the increasing
development of specialized statisticalsophistication ofteachers, measures for the
information
dissemination of the mathematics,
technology, thedata science and AI education
government will
program accreditation system, andpromote the practicaleducation that emphasizes learning
fostering ofresults using internships and PBL. 74
information
technology human[IT, CBPA, NPA, MEXT, METI]
resources such asproblem-solving
learning (PBL)
through industryuniversity
collaboration andpromote class
improvement utilizing
information
technology, thereby
strengthening
education for Society
5.0 at universities, etc.
・We are establishing apractical educational
network throughindustry-governmentacademia
collaboration, applying
data science to various
fields, creating value
from data, anddeveloping humanresources to answer
business issues.
・The Project forDeveloping Experts on
Statistics was started

74

PBL: Problem based learning.
40

Future action policy

and AI Education Program
Certification System andenhancement of publicity andpublicity activities. [IT,
Cabinet Bureau of Personnel
Affairs, NPA, MEXT, METI]・Steady implementation of the
Project for Developing
Experts on Statistics .
[MEXT]
・Based on deliberations by the
job-based research internshippromotion committee, a longterm paid internship programfor doctoral programs has been
implemented since FY2021
through the job-based researchinternship promotion project.
[MEXT]・In order to develop digital
human resources, teachingmaterials based onmathematical, data science,and AI model curriculums
will be developed atuniversities and colleges oftechnology throughout Japan.
In addition to the literacy
level, basic skills will beacquired that can be applied to
one's own specialized field
regardless of whether the field
is in the humanities orsciences. In addition, aninternationally competitive
cross-sectoral doctoral
education program will beestablished to develop the top
human resources to be taught,
and double majors will bepromoted in graduate school
education for humanresources. [MEXT, METI]・Implementation of AI
education for government
employees on a trial basis[STI]

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
in FY2021.

Future action policy⑥ Contribution to the international community on the ideal digital society
Specific measures under the Basic Plan
Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation○In order to establish a global
・In cooperation with・Compilation of theframework for data distribution, by
relevant ministries andComprehensive Data Strategy
FY2021, the government will
agencies, discussions
in June and promotion ofindicate the direction of theare under way tovarious measures based on it.
resolution of issues that need to becompile a report in[Cabinet Secretariat, IT,
addressed in promoting international
June 2021.
SIPSH, PPC, MIC, MOFA,
data distribution, such as data quality,
METI]
privacy, security, mutual trust in
infrastructure, rules, and standards,
and will implement measures toresolve such issues.
[CabinetSecretariat, IT, SIPSH, PPC, MIC,
MOFA, METI]○In order to promote international ・Relevant ministries
・With a view to holding the G7
dialogue on the ideal way of a digital
and agencies aremeeting and the IGF Summit
society, the government will leadworking together toand related meeting in Japan
international discussions by providing
address related
in 2023, the government will
the results of good practices obtainedinternational
continue to coordinate
through the above-mentioned efforts
conferences.
relevant ministries andto the international arena such as theagencies to address relatedOECD, and by reflecting them in theinternational conferences. [IT,outcomes of the G7 75 and IGF 76, for
STI, MOFA, METI]
which Japan will host in 2023. [IT,STI, MIC, MOFA, METI]○At the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai,
・In cooperation with・ The government will study
Japan to be held in 2025, based on the related ministries andconcrete measures based on
Basic Policy on the Promotion of
agencies, efforts are
the basic policy, etc. [Expo,
Preparation and Implementation
being considered based
STI, MIC, METI]
Measures for World Expo 2025 (Expo on the basic policy, etc.
・Towardsthe realization of2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan) 77 , Japan・Research andefforts posicitioned in thewill embody the Society 5.0 by
development started inbasic policy, in order toutilizing data and AI. Through this,FY2020 to realize therealize simultaneous
Japan will widely demonstrate its
implementation ofinterpretation using AI in
mounting capabilities both at homeadvanced multilingual
2025, research andand abroad and attract foreign
simultaneousdevelopment such as theinvestment. [Expo, STI, MIC, METI]
interpretation services
expansion of supported
using AI andlanguages and further
enhancement of
improvement of translation
multilingual support
accuracy, and field
inside and outside thedemonstration in anticipation
Expo site at the Worldof Expo will be conducted in
75

G7 Summit to be held in Japan in 2023.

76

IGF: The Internet Governance Forum. To be held in Japan in 2023

77

Cabinet Decision of December 21, 202041

Expo 2025 Osaka,
Kansai, which werepositioned as the basic
policy. [MIC]⑦ New policy challenges
Specific measures under the Basic Plan

○In the midst of severe changes in thesocial situation surrounding
digitalization, measures to promote
the use of data across national
borders, measures to promote theconstruction of digital twins in the
public and private sectors, measures
to attract highly skilled humanresources from around the world toJapan, and measures to reflect social
acceptance in policies are to bereviewed according to the situation at
all times using evidence. By FY2023,
policies will be evaluated andreviewed, and new policies will beconsidered. [IT, STI]

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
・The Data Strategy(First Report) was
formulated at the endof 2020.
・The Data Strategy TF
was resumed in
preparation for thecompilation in June
2021.

42

FY2021. [MIC]

Future action policy

・Promote various measures
based on the Comprehensive
Data Strategy. [IT, STI]

(2)Promoting social change and disruptive innovation to overcome global challenges[Ideal vision and direction toward its realization]
We will achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, which will reduce greenhouse gas's overall emissions tozero. We will also realize a circular economy through sound and efficient waste treatment and advanced
recycling of resources. Our aim is to create a society that leads the world and creates a virtuous cycle
between the economy and the environment by taking steps to achieve these goals, which will lead toeconomic growth through the development of the green industry.
In order to achieve this, discontinuous innovation is indispensable, along with the redesign of theeconomy and society through the three transitions to a decarbonized society, recycling-oriented
economy, and decentralized society, which aims to reform people's lifestyles, industrial structures, theeconomy and society as a whole, and to solve social problems. To this end, it is necessary for industry,
academia, and the government to work together as one to make a broad range of concerted efforts
toward 2030, setting high goals and a vision.
From this perspective, in order to achieve carbon neutrality, we will promote thorough energy
conservation, promotion of electrification, and decarbonization of electric power (accelerated diffusionof technology for maximum introduction of renewable energy and use of nuclear energy with toppriority on safety) based on discussions at the Green Innovation Strategy Promotion Council, and willstrongly promote innovative innovations such as next-generation solar cells, CCUS/carbon recycling,and hydrogen. At the same time, in order to promote the introduction of technologies and social
implementation, the government will promote decarbonization of people's lifestyles, realize and expand
zero-carbon cities, and foster public understanding, and will consider the necessary systems, standards,
and other mechanisms.
In addition, by actively disseminating information on our country's efforts internationally andenhancing Japan's presence, the government will mobilize the wisdom of research institutes around theworld, promote international joint research, and build supply chains. The government will also promote
the incorporation of investment in energy and environment-related businesses into Japan and the active
visualization of corporate activities.
Furthermore, in order to realize a circular economy, we will promote innovation such as thedevelopment of alternative materials in addition to waste treatment and proper management, by extending
product life, long-term conservation and maintenance of resources, and minimizing the generation ofwaste. In addition, the government will promote the creation of sustainable communities and thetransformation of people's lifestyles, while creating a Regional Circular and Ecological Sphere, anautonomous and decentralized society in which each region makes use of local resources, such as natural
resources and ecosystem services, complements and supports each other according to the characteristicsof the region.
[Target]・ As global challenges becomes more serious, our country will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to
net 0 by 2050, becoming a world carbon neutral, and by promoting the transition to a circular
economy, will contribute to overcoming environmental problems in climate change and elsewhere
43and ensure sustainability based on the SDGs.
[Key targets in science, technology, and innovation policies] (Key indicators)

・ Japan's greenhouse gas emissions: net zero (2050)
・ Resource productivity: approx. 490,000 yen/ton (FY2025)
・ Market size of recycling-oriented social business: approximately twice that of FY2000 (FY2025)[Current data] (Reference index)

・ Progress of the Environmental Innovation Strategy (Innovation Action Plan, Acceleration Plan andZero Emission Initiatives) 78
・ Number of Zero Carbon Cities: 408 local governments (June 14, 2021)
・ R&D expenditure in the environmental field: 1,289.4 billion yen (FY2019) 79
・
・
・
・
・
・

R&D expenditure in the energy field: 1,165.4 billion yen (FY2019) 80
RE 100 member companies 81 (Japan): 54 companies (May 17, 2021) 82
Greenhouse gas emissions: 1,212 million tons (FY2019) 83
Average temperature rise in Japan: 1.26 °C per 100 years (1898 – 2020) 84
Resource productivity: approx. 423,000 yen/ton (FY2018) 85
Market size of business related to sound material-cycle society business: approximately 40 trillion yen(FY2000) 86① Promotion of R&D and cost reduction of innovative environmental innovation technologies

78

The Environmental Innovation Strategy (decided by the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council on January 21, 2020) is

composed of (1) an Innovation Action Plan that identifies specific cost targets for 16 technical issues, (2) an Acceleration Plan that
describes a research framework and investment promotion measures to realize these targets, and (3) the Zero Emission Initiatives(Tokyo Beyond Zero Week) that will be launched toward social implementation together with global leaders. The Innovation Action Plan
will be published as an Innovation Dashboard as needed.
79

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 2020 Results of the Survey of Research and Development (December 2020)

80

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 2020 Results of the Survey of Research and Development (December 2020)

81

A company that aims to use 100% renewable energy.

82

Compiled from the RE100 website (http://there100.org/).

83

Greenhouse gas emissions in FY2019 (Ministry of the Environment, April 13, 2021)

84

Japan Meteorological Agency, Climate Change Monitoring Report 2020 (2021)

URL: https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/NMHS/indexe_ccmr.html
85

Resource productivity = GDP/input of natural resources, etc.

Natural resource input refers to the total amount of domestic and imported natural resources and imported products (direct material
input: DMI). Resource productivity is an index that comprehensively shows how much affluence each industry generates with lessnatural resources, such as whether each industry improves its production activities with less natural resources or how people's lives use
products effectively, by calculating the real gross domestic product (real GDP) generated from the input of natural resources per certain
amount. In international comparison, attention should also be paid to differences in industrial structure.
86

Calculated from Ministry of the Environment's Report on the Market Size and Employment of the Environmental Industry 2019(Published on July 20, 2020) (Reference: 4th Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society (June 2018)).

44

Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situation○With regard to the Innovative
・Based on the Progressive
・In cooperation with related
Environmental Innovation
Environmental Innovation
ministries and agencies, theStrategy, the Innovation
Strategy formulated inGreen Innovation Strategy
Dashboard, the Acceleration
January 2020, the Green
Promotion Council will bePlan, and Tokyo Beyond Zero
Innovation Strategy
held to review and release
Week will be reviewed in a
Promotion Council was
the Innovation Dashboard,
timely and appropriate manner inheld to exchange opinions
etc. [STI, MIC, MEXT,
light of the global situation, andand share information
MAFF, METI, MLIT, MOE]
industry, academia, andamong experts with the・With regard to the Green
government will steadily
aim of steadily
Innovation Fund, based on
promote the implementation of
implementing the strategy
the basic policy for the
innovative technologies inand producing maximum
fund's projects decided insociety. In addition, regarding theresults.
March 2021, we will selectfields essential for achieving
・In order to achieve theprojects to be supported andcarbon neutrality, the government
2050 carbon neutral target,
promote initiatives. [STI,
will promote the implementationa Green Innovation Fund
MIC, MEXT, MAFF, METI,
of innovative technologies inof 2 trillion yen was
MLIT, MOE]
society by utilizing fund projects
established in the third
・We will accelerate basic
that provide continuous support
supplementary budget for
research and development
for the development of
FY2020.
that will lead to the creation
innovative technologies based onof innovative technology
the Green Growth Strategy
seeds in cooperation withThrough Achieving Carbon
relevant ministries andNeutrality in 2050 87 thatagencies. [MEXT]
includes (i) targets with clear
・Japan's advanced basic
time frames, (ii) research andstrategies such as the Greendevelopment and demonstration,
Growth Strategy will be(iii) institutional development
actively introduced overseas
such as regulatory reform andat international conferences
standardization, and (iv)and other events. [MOFA]
international collaboration, andwill promote the implementationof innovative technologies insociety by utilizing fund projects
that provide continuous support
for the development ofinnovative technologies. [STI,MIC, MEXT, MAFF, METI,
MLIT, MOE]
○In order to maintain data
・In FY2020, reference to・The Smart City Guidebook
interoperability and system
Reference Architecture
will be used to promote thescalability between cities andwas made mandatory for
implementation of urban OS
fields, the implementation ofsmart city-related
and the creation of smart
urban OS (data linkage platform)businesses of the Cabinet
cities in local governmentsin each region will be accelerated
Office and each ministry.
and regions across thewhile referring to the Smart City
Adopted regions arecountry, while referring toReference Architecture. In
promoting thethe ideal form of the data
addition, support will be started
construction of smart
linkage infrastructure
in FY2021 to contribute to thecities based on this
discussed at the Study Group
progress of efforts for zeroarchitecture.
on Data Linkage in Super
carbon cities so that local
Cities and Smart Cities held
governments, etc. that havein FY2020. [STI, MIC,
announced zero carbon cities will
MEXT, MAFF, METI,
implement climate change
MLIT, MOE]
87

Released by the Committee on the Growth Strategy on December 25, 2020.
45

Specific measures under the BasicPlanmeasures using a wide variety of
big data. [STI, MIC, MEXT,
MAFF, METI, MLIT, MOE]

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation○ The government will acceleratenecessary R&D to achieve the2050 goals of the Moonshot
Research and Development
Program ("Realization of
Sustainable Resource Circulation
for Global Environment
Restoration" and "Creation of a
Sustainable Food Supply
Industry with No Excess or
Waste on a Global Scale throughFull Utilization of Unused
Biological Functions"), and will
clarify the path toward social
implementation. [STI, MAFF,
METI]○In cooperation with theinternational community, thegovernment will strengthen thefunctions of the "Innovative
Global Research Centers" suchas the AIST Global Zero
Emission Research Center , theNext-Generation Energy
Infrastructure Research Center,and the Tokyo Bay Area
Innovation Area, and activate
exchanges of human resources
and knowledge both in Japan andoverseas. [MEXT, METI]・In 2020, we appointed
project managers, and weare promoting researchand development toachieve the targets.

○By May 2021, the government
will formulate the Green Food
System Strategy, which will
include achieving carbon
neutrality by 2050 and active
participation in international
rule-making. The strategy will
examine the development of new
agricultural, forestry, and fisherypolicies and present a vision to
be achieved by 2050. Based on
this, the government will realize

・In January 2020, AIST
established the AIST
Global Zero Emission
Research Center, and as ofDecember 2020,
established 45 overseas
collaborations.
・The Tokyo Zero-emissions
Innovation Bay Council
was established. As of theend of January 2021, a
total of 122 members haveparticipated, and seminars
and other events were held
to introduce the members'
cutting-edge
demonstration activities.
・In December 2020, theStrategy for Sustainable
Food Systems was
published.
・In January 2021, thegovernment began
exchanging opinions withproducers, organizations,and companies, andreleased an interim reportin March. A strategy wasformulated in May.
46

Future action policy・Support will be provided tocontribute to the progress ofefforts toward zero carbon
cities so that local
governments and otherentities that have announced
zero carbon cities can takemeasures against climatechange using a wide varietyof big data.
[MOE]
・We will strongly promote
R&D projects to achieve thetargets. [STI, MAFF, METI]・We will dramaticallystrengthen R&D projects tofurther contribute to therealization of a carbonneutral society. [STI, MAFF,
METI]

・We will promote concreteinternational joint researchwith AIST's Global Zero
Emission Research Center as
the core. [METI]・The third RD20 will be heldin October 2021. [METI]・In FY2021, innovative newtechnology will continue its
international joint researchand development projects inthe clean energy field.
[METI]

・Based on the Strategy for
Sustainable Food Systems,
we have established thetargets for technology
development and social
implementation as the ideal
state to aim for from theperspective of (1) reducing
greenhouse gases; (2)reducing the use of chemical
pesticides and fertilizers; (3)reducing labor and increased

Specific measures under the Basic
Planboth the improvement of
productivity and thesustainability of the food,agriculture, forestry, and fisheryindustries through innovation.
[MAFF, relevant ministries andagencies]

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation○For the transition to a recycling・Since August 2020,
oriented economy, theNEDO has been
government will promote theconducting R&D on
development of environmentadvanced fundamental
friendly designs, thetechnologies for recycling
development of advanced
and innovative materials
recycling infrastructurewith low environmental
technologies such as improved
impact, such as marine
sorting efficiency of usedbiodegradable plastics.
products, the research and・JSA has implemented
development of innovativeinternational
materials with low environmental
standardization on theimpact such as marine
technical evaluation
biodegradable plastics, andmethod for marine
investment for the promotion of
biodegradable plastics,
innovation. [MEXT, METI, ,and is promoting

47

Future action policy
productivity; and (4)maximizing utilization of
local resources, for the entire
supply chain fromprocurement to consumption.
[MAFF, relevant ministries
and agencies]
・We will achiee significant
improvements in
productivity andsustainability at each stage ofthe supply chain throughinnovation, rather thanextending conventional
measures. [MAFF, relevant
ministries and agencies]
・From the perspective of
supporting the social
implementation of
innovative technologies andproduction systems as set out
in the strategy, andsustainable efforts at eachstage, the government willconsider a gradual review ofpolicy guidance methods
such as subsidies,
investments and loans, taxes,
and systems. MAFF, relevant
ministries and agencies]
・The strategy was proposedby our country as a model
for sustainable food systems
in the Asian monsoon region
at the United Nations Food
System Summit to be held in
September 2021 andparticipated in internationalrulemaking. MAFF, relevant
ministries and agencies]
・In order to develop andpromote the introduction ofmarine biodegradable
plastics, we are continuing
studies to develop newtechnologies and materials tomeet future needs and to
propose international
standards for marine
biodegradable plastics.
[METI]
・We will promote thepractical application oftechnologies to increase theresource efficiency and valueof plastics. [METI]Specific measures under the Basic
Plan
MOE]

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation
innovation of innovative
materials with low
environmental impact
such as marine
biodegradable plastics.

○While climate change is a cause of ・The government
biodiversity degradation, forest
conducted research andecosystems, etc., which are thestudies on Ecosystembasis of biodiversity, are closely
based disaster riskinterrelated and related to each
prevention and mitigation
other such as CO2 sinks.
based on natural
Therefore, research andecosystems to utilize
development will be conductedecosystem functions into realize carbon neutrality
adaptation to climate
through synergies betweenchange.
biodiversity conservation andclimate change measures, and theuse of ecosystem functions insinks and adaptation to climatechange will be promoted.
[MAFF, MLIT, MOE]
○The government will promote
・The Green Infrastructure
efforts to save energy in social
Public-Private Partnershipinfrastructure facilities and to
Platform (1012 members
achieve zero emission as well as
as of the end of January),
innovative technology
established in Marchdevelopment for reducing energy
2020, conducts surveys
consumption at construction
and research on the socialsites. At the same time, thedissemination of green
government will promote theinfrastructure, technology,social implementation of green
and financing methods.
infrastructure that contributes to・Technical and financial
CO2 sink measures by utilizing
support is provided tovarious functions of the natural
local governments andenvironment. [MLIT, MOE]
private businesses aiming
to introduce green
infrastructure.
○In order to contribute to the・We are enhancing thecreation of highly accurate
accuracy of climate
climate change predictionchange prediction
information and the resolution of
information based on48

Future action policy・Based on the National Action
Plan for Marine Plastic Litterand other policies,
accumulation of scientificknowledge through researchand studies and international
cooperation or waste
disposal and capacity
improvement in 3R etc. indeveloping countries will bepromoted. [MOE]・In order to steadily
implement the Marine
Initiative to realize the Osaka
Blue Ocean Vision, we will
implement support projects
for surveys and verificationof ocean runoff indeveloping countries.
[MOFA]
・Research and studies will bepromoted in order to compile
guidelines that can be used
as a reference when local
governments, etc. areworking on Ecosystem-based
disaster risk reduction,
prevention and mitigation
based on natural ecosystems.
[MOE]

・We will promote the social
implementation of green
infrastructure by advancing
studies on the GreenInfrastructure Public-Private
Partnership Platform andproviding technical andfinancial support to local
governments and otherentities. [MLIT, MOE]

・Through the advancement ofclimate change simulation
model technology (fusion
research with observation

Specific measures under the Basic
Plan
climate change issues, thegovernment will promote theaccumulation and utilization of
global environment big data suchas observation data andprediction information on
greenhouse gases. [MEXT,
MOE]

Implementation status andanalysis of current situationneeds, etc.
・The Data Integration andAnalysis System (DIAS)
is utilized tfor continuous
continuously storage of
observation data, forecast
information, and otherdata for big data on the
global environment. In
addition, we arepromoting theenhancement of the usage
environment to expand
utilization.

49

Future action policy
data, etc.), the clarification ofclimate change mechanisms
and the enhancement of
accuracy of prediction
information based on needs,
etc. will be carried out.
[MEXT, MOE]・In order to contribute to theclarification of global
warming phenomena and theimprovement of prediction
accuracy, and to respond topolicy needs such as the
Global Stocktake, fromFY2021, we willcomprehensively develop
observation and model
research, and build amonitoring system thatsatisfies (1) spatial multiscale in cities, countries,
regions, and the whole globe,and (2) speed in the processfrom observation to balanceevaluation. [MOE]・We will establish ascientifically high-levelmonitoring system that will
enable the steady provisionof information to the Global
Stocktake from 2023 and thefoundation for its succession.
[MOE]・In order to acquire big dataon the global environment
over the long term and on an
ongoing basis, we will
combine various observation
methods and researchcapabilities in a wide rangeof fields, and continuously
advance observation
technologies such as earth
observation satellites while
utilizing internationalframeworks such as the
GEO. [MEXT, relevant
ministries and agencies]
・Building on the results of
DIAS to date, we will
establish long-term, stable
operations as an information
platform that can be used fordisaster prevention andmitigation and for global
challenges such as climatechange. We will also

Specific measures under the Basic
Plan

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation

Future action policy
promote the utilization of the
DIAS as a global
environmental data platformthat contributes to decisionmaking by the national
government, companies, andlocal governments. [MEXT]② Promotion of R&D and demonstration for utilization of various energy sources
Specific measures under the
Implementation status andFuture action policy
Basic Plan
analysis of current situation○Based on the Strategic Energy
・Based on the Fifth
・We will continue discussions on aPlan, which is currently under
Strategic Energy Plan,
review of the Strategic Energy
review, the government will
the following initiatives
Plan. [METI]
promote necessary researchare being promoted.
・In terms of energy conservation,and development,
・In terms of energy
we will develop, commercialize,
demonstration, andconservation, we haveand demonstrate innovativeinternational cooperation inprovided support for net
energy conservation technologies
energy conservation, renewablezero energy conversion
across various fields in order toenergies, fusion power, andof houses and buildings,
develop further energy
fusion energy. [MEXT, METI]
verification of nextconservation potential. At thegeneration building
same time, we will conductmaterials, improvement
demonstrations aimed atof transportationachieving net zero energy for
efficiency throughhouses and buildings andcooperation between
improving transportation
truck operators andefficiency throughout the supply
shippers, and technicalchain. [METI]
verification support for・As for renewable energy, while
coastal ships.
considering the utilization of the・Regarding renewable
Green Innovation Fund, we areenergy, we conductedpromoting the development of
R&D on solar power
next-generation solar cells
generation and offshore
including perovskite, andwind power generation toelemental technologies related toovercome location
floating offshore wind power
constraints, reduce costs,
based on the Technology
and improve efficiency,
Development Roadmap for theand conducted
Enhancement of Industrial
demonstration of theCompetitiveness for Offshore
Japanese version ofWind Power Generation. [METI]
Connect & Manage to・Regarding nuclear power, in
addition to technologies forovercome system
improving the safety of light
constraints and stabilize
water reactors, the government
distribution systems.
will promote R&D on innovative
・Regarding nuclear
power, in addition to
nuclear technologies such as fast
supporting thereactors, small modular reactors,
development ofand high temperature gas reactors,
technologies to improve
as well as fostering humanthe safety of light water
resources in the nuclear energy
reactors, Japan provided
field. The government will also
support for theconsider detailed design of a new
development of
test reactor to be installed at the50

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

Implementation status andFuture action policy
analysis of current situation
innovative nuclear
Monju site in accordance with thetechnologies such as fast
progress of conceptual design.
reactors, small modular[MEXT, METI]
reactors, and high・With regard to fusion energy, as
temperature gas reactors,
part of the ITER Project, which isand also provided
scheduled to commence operation
assistance to fosteringin 2025, we are developing thehuman resources in themain components that Japan is in
nuclear field.
charge of , which are the keys to・In 2020, the conceptual
realizing fusion power generation.
design of a new test
At the same time, we arereactor to be installed atpromoting R&D toward nuclear
the Monju site, which
fusion power (prototype reactor)
will serve as thethrough the JT -60 SA Advanced
foundation for research
Superconducting Tokamak
and development andSystem and the development offostering humanreactor materials and functional
resources, was started.
materials under the BA activities.
・In October 2020, the[MEXT]
Advisory Committee for
Natural Resources andEnergy started
discussions on a reviewof the Strategic Energy
Plan.
・In response to thegrowing political demand
for a decarbonizedsociety and the smooth
progress of the ITER
Project, the United States
and the United Kingdom
have announced theirown plans, including
fusion power generation,
since November 2020.

③ Promotion of economic and social redesign
Specific measures under the
Implementation status andFuture action policy
Basic Plan
analysis of current situation○With the aim of creating・Based on the 2050 Carbon
・Based on the 2050 Carbon
industries, reforming the
Neutrality Declaration, we
Neutrality Declaration, we
economy and society, andimplemented concrete
will accelerate the threesolving social problems,
measures for the redesign oftransitions to a decarbonizedconcrete efforts will be madethe economy and societysociety, a circular economy,
to redesign the economy andthrough the transition to a
and a decentralized society,society through the three
decarbonized society, aand will strongly promotetransitions to a "decarbonizedcircular economy, and aredesign toward a sustainable
society," a "circulardecentralized society, as welland resilient economic
economy," and aas measures for the creationsociety. In addition, we have"decentralized society." In thisof a Circular and Ecologicalevolved the creation of local
regard, the regional
SDGs, a Circular andEconomy (local SDGs).
perspective, which is・In addition to promoting
Ecological Economy that
conscious of social
research and development
embodies the three51

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
implementation, as well as a
global perspective, is also
important. Therefore, thegovernment will promote
cross-sectoral R&D to support
regional decarbonization
efforts, and aim to create local
SDGs that will realize thethree transitions in an
integrated manner. [MEXT,
METI, MOE]

○In preparation for COP26 in
November 2021, theImplementation status andanalysis of current situation
for decarbonization in theregions, the Council for
National and Local
Decarbonization, whichbegan in December 2020,
decided on the regional
decarbonization roadmap in
key areas closely related toregional efforts and people's
lifestyles (June 2021).

・A joint meeting of theCentral Environment

52

Future action policy
transitions, by leveraging
social changes and needs.
[MEXT, METI, MOE]
・Based on the regional
decarbonization roadmap"(June 2021) decided by theCouncil for National andLocal Decarbonization, thegovernment will intensively
support decarbonization
efforts in regions that
contribute to regional
revitalization by creating new
industries and jobs in theregion and improving theattractiveness of the region,
particularly over the next five
years. By FY2025, thegovernment will set a course
for implementing proactive
measures toward
decarbonization in at least
100 decarbonization leading
area in accordance with
regional characteristics andother factors. By FY2030, thegovernment will work to
reduce greenhouse gas inareas closely related to thefields of local communities
and livelihood. The
government will achieve net
zero CO2 emissions fromelectricity consumption in thecivil sector (household sector
and other operationssectors).
It will also achieve reductions
consistent with the targets forthe entire country for
FY2030, including transportand heat use. [OPDVLE,
MIC, MAFF, METI, MLIT,
MOE]
・In addition to promoting R&D
across fields from humanities
and social sciences to naturalsciences in order to promote
regional
reforms
towarddecarbonization, a network ofuniversities will be establishedand operated to strengthen thefunctions of universities ascenters of knowledge in eachregion. [MEXT, METI, MOE]
・The government will support
the introduction of CO2-

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
government will boldly
implement global warming
countermeasures such as
further acceleration oftechnology development,
implementation in society, andreform of lifestyles and work
styles, based on the Plan for
Global WarmingCountermeasures underreview. [METI, MOE]

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation
Council and the Industrial
Structure Council iscurrently discussing ourcountry's climate change
measures, including a reviewof the Climate Change
Policy Programme.

53

Future action policy
saving demand-side
equipment capable ofcontrolling the operation of
the demand-side in order toconvert variable renewableenergy sources such as solar
and wind power into mainstay
power sources, and theintroduction of renewableenergy and storage batteries
by new methods such as onsite PPA models. [MOE]・In addition to promoting the
spread and expansion of
floating offshore wind power
generation facilities, whichhave the highest potential ofrenewable energies to be
introduced, Japan will support
decarbonization businesscentering on offshore wind
power generation in regions
aiming at local production
and local consumption ofenergy as part of regional
development measures.
[MOE]
・We will promote the spread ofregional decarbonizedhydrogen supply chainsthroughout Japan, while
promoting efforts to reducethe cost of hydrogen derived
from renewable energy and torealize environmental value.
[MOE]・We will conduct CCUS
carbon recycling trials and
R&D for full-scale social
implementation from 2030
onward, and promote efforts
to establish the firstcommercial-scale CCU
technology by 2023. [METI,
MOE]
・I In order to aim for theformation of a decarbonizedsociety while responding to
COVID-19, we will promotesocial optimization by DX(Green By Digital) throughthe use of AI technologies,
etc., the formation of green
data centers, and thetechnology development,
demonstration, and social
implementation of energy-

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation

Future action policy

conserving technologies suchas achieving high-efficiency
in various devices
incorporated in a wide varietyof electrical equipment(servers, LEDs, etc.) throughnext-generation
semiconductors, such as highquality gallium nitride (GaN)
semiconductors, to realize athorough reduction of energy
consumption, in order torealize new lifestyles in the
post-corona era anddecarbonization of digitalfields.. [MIC, MEXT, MOE]
○In order to promote the spread ・The first meeting of the・Utilizing the knowledge ofof technologies forCouncil for National andNudge and other behavioral
decarbonization of lifestyles,
Local Decarbonization wassciences, the government will
the government will promoteheld on December 25, 2020,encourage people to change
lifestyle changes and expand
the second meeting was held
their attitudes and behavior in
the prosumer ofon April 20, 2021, and the
response to their interest in
decarbonization by taking
third meeting was held on
decarbonization, andinto account the discussions atJune 9. In order to realize aencourage them to shift to athe "National and Local
2050 decarbonized society indecarbonized lifestyle. Since
Decarbonization Realization
the regions, discussions wereFY2021, we have started
Conference," etc., by working
held on the road map towarddemonstration experiments on
on total management of
the realization of achanges in behavior andhousing and transportation
decarbonized society in 2050
consumer preferences by(practical application of afrom the perspective of thevisualizing the history of
combination ofZEH 88 andpeople and consumers,
environmentally conscious
ZEB 89, appliances on thefocusing on the areas ofbehavior and thedemand side (home electricliving and society, which areenvironmental impact ofappliances, hot water supply,
closely related to the efforts
products and services. [MOE]etc.), local renewable
・Promote decarbonization inof the regions, and how theenergies, and EV 90 andthe household and business
related ministries, ministries
FCV 91 as mobile batteries
sectors by improving energy
and local governments
cells), action modification
efficiency in homes andshould work together tothrough nudge 92 and sharing,buildings and supporting net
realize the roadmap.
technology development and・Utilizing thezero energy (ZEH and ZEB).
demonstration to encourageinterdisciplinary nature[MOE]
crediting of CO2 reduction(convergence of knowledge)
using digital technologies,
of behavioral sciences
support for introduction, andencompassing all fields ofestablishment of systems. 93
nature, humanities, andfor CO2 reduction throughsocial sciences, we aredigital technology [MOE,
conducting a demonstration
88

Net zero energy house89

Net zero energy building

90

Electronic vehicle

91

Fuel cell vehicle

92

Nudge: gently push

93

Prosumer: a concept introduced by futurist Alvin Toffler in his book released in 1980, The Third Wave. It is a portmanteau combining

the words “producer” and “consumer,” meaning a consumer who conducts production activities.
54

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
relevant ministries andagencies]○The government will
accelerate the transition to acircular economy bypromoting resource recycling
through such means as
reducing waste emissions,improving the sophisticationand efficiency of recycling
processes, and turning
products into biomass. At thesame time, the government
will aim to recover energy
from waste that must be
incinerated, and to separate,
store, and effectively use
greenhouse gases generated
by processing. [METI, MOE]

Implementation status andFuture action policy
analysis of current situation
project to collect and analyze
data on the actual state ofenergy use and theimplementation status ofenvironmentally-friendly
actions through integration
with cutting-edge
technologies such as AI/IoT(BI-Tech), and to promotereasonable behavior changes
toward decarbonization
through approaches thatmatch individual attributeinformation and values.
・Regarding transactions ofindividuals or companies
with environmental value
using blockchain technology,
we are conducting
demonstrations of how
purchasing behavior ofsellers and buyers changes
according to fixed or
fluctuating transaction prices
and whether or not attributeinformation is displayed.
・We are supporting the・The government will conductconversion to plastic
demonstrations of thealternative materials,
applicability of digitalconstruction and CO2technology for the promotion
reduction of recyclingof resource circulation andprocesses, construction ofadvance initiatives for therecycling processes.
creation of innovative
businesses, as well as support
the conversion to and social
implementation of plastic
alternative materials, theintroduction of CO2-saving
facilities, and thedevelopment of heat recovery
facilities from waste treatment
facilities to promote effective
utilization of energy fromwaste. [MOE]・The government will
formulate guidelines for the
introduction of biomass
plastic and other materials
into designated garbage bags
by local governments, andpromote conversion tobiomass. [MOE]・In order to solve the problem ofmarine plastic litter, we will
promote research and study on
the actual distribution ofmarine plastic litter, gathering
55

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

○With regard to responses tobiodiversity, which forms partof a distributed society, thegovernment will promoteresearch and development ontechnologies for theprotection of endangered
species and the control ofinvasive alien species,
technologies for themonitoring, maintenance, andrestoration of ecosystems
including secondary nature,technologies for theassessment of economic andsocial values of ecosystemservices including genetic
resources and natural capital,
and technologies forsustainable management andutilization to realize"coexistence with nature.".
[MOE]

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation

Future action policy

global data for around 2023,
and the impact on organisms
and ecosystems . [MOE]・In addition to promoting
・In addition to continuing
studies on technologies forstudies on technologies forthe protection andthe protection andpropagation of nationallypropagation of nationallyendangered species of wild
endangered species of wild
fauna and flora, we
fauna and flora, theconducted surveys on thegovernment will promote
inhabitation and growth ofsurveys on the inhabitation
endangered species inand growth of endangered
preparation for the
species in preparation for the
publication of the Fifth Red
publication of the Fifth Red
List, and developed
List. [MOE]technologies to control
・In order to prevent theinvasive alien species.
unintentional invasion of・At the Monitoring Sites
invasive alien species such as1000 project, approximately
fire ants, Japan will
1,000 sites were establishedstrengthen border control andnationwide, and the status ofcontrol measures by
various ecosystem types
developing and utilizing new(alpine zones, forests andtechnologies. Japan will also
grasslands, satoyama, lakes/
promote enhanced
and /wetlands, sandy
international cooperation atbeaches, tidaland, coral
the 15th meeting of theConference of the Parties toreefs, small islets) was
the Convention on Biologicalsteadily monitored
Diversity (COP 15) to takequantitatively and over theplace in 2021. [MOE]long term. As the・Based on the contents of thequantitative and long-term
next National Biodiversity
data have been enriched,
Strategy, which is scheduled
they have been used forto be formulated at the end ofplanning and evaluation of
FY2021, the government willbiodiversity conservation
conduct quantitative, longmeasures, such as those citedterm surveys and monitoringin the Report on Assessment
to appropriately graspof Impacts of Climate
ecosystems nationwide.
Change in Japan.
[MOE]・In order to contribute to the・We will develop methods forconservation of marinequantitatively evaluating thebiodiversity, the Offshore
impact of corporate activities
Seabed Nature Conservation
on natural capital, andArea based on the Natureestablish policies for researchConservation Act wasand development onestablished. Environmental
technologies for sustainable
surveys were conducted inmanagement and use ofsome protected areas tonatural capital. [MOE]obtain basic data for・We will continue basic
adaptive management.
surveys to properly designate・Research and development
policies are being developed
and manage Offshore Seabed
for the assessment of the
Nature Conservation Areas,
economic and social value ofand continue monitoring
Japan's natural capital andsurveys to understandfor sustainable management
environmental changes inand utilization technologies.
protected areas. [MOE]56

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation
・Research and development
was carried out for theconstruction of a co-creation
type management model forthe cyclical conservation ofnational parks.

Future action policy
・We will construct and proposea co-creation management
model for the cyclicalconservation of nationalparks. [MOE]④ Evocation of changes in public behavior
Specific measures under the Basic Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situation○The government will promote
・We are conducting a
・We will aim to expand thethe creation of a publicdemonstration project tomarket for products, services,
understanding of thecollect and analyze data
and lifestyles through the use ofimportance of individual efforts
on actual energy use andthe convergence of knowledge
to realize carbon neutrality andthe implementation status
and BI-Tech practices by the end
the transformation of behavior
of environmentallyof FY2022, compile the results,
to decarbonizing by utilizing
conscious actions throughand report and publish them atthe convergence of knowledge
the integration of AI/IoT
the Behavioral Sciences Team’s
through the fusion ofand other cutting-edge
Liaison Council, etc. In addition,
humanities, social sciences, andtechnologies (BI-Tech),the government will sharenatural sciences. In particular,
and to promote
information and cooperate withthe government will aim toreasonable behavior
nudge units in other countries toexpand the market for products,
changes toward
promote changes in attitudes andservices and lifestyles utilizing
decarbonization.
behavior of the people of our
BI-Tech (the fusion of thecountry toward solving social
・With regard to eneryknowledge of behavioral
issues arising from their actions
conserving nudges, wescience and advanced
under international cooperation.
confirmed statisticallytechnology) 94 by the end of[MOE]significant and sustained
FY2022. It will also aim toenergy-saving and CO2・In FY2021, we will verify thebuild a platform usingsaving effects with anenergy-saving and CO2-saving
blockchain technology that canaverage of 2% by sending
effects of sending energy-saving
freely trade individual CO2
an energy-saving reportnudges through smart speakers to
reduction credits at low cost. At
for two years. In addition,
save energy, such as reduced
the same time, the government
by verifying theelectricity consumption. [MOE]will actively communicate
sustainability of the・With the aim of starting operation
Japan's efforts to both in Japaneffects, it was confirmedby the end of FY2022 at theand overseas. [STI, METI,
that the energy-saving
earliest, we will continue to study
MOE]
and CO2-saving effects
the computerization of the Jcontinued even after six
Credit System and promote themonths had passed sinceconstruction of the next registry
the suspension of sending
system. [MOE]reports.
・With regard to ecodriving nudges, astatistically significant
energy-saving and CO2saving effect of up to
14.5% was confirmed due
94BI-Tech: Behavioral Insights x Technology. Based on behavioral insights such as nudge, big data on the situation of energy usage by

individuals / households and attribute information is collected using IoT technology and analyzed using AI technology to encourage
behavioral change through personalized messages.
57

to different messages, andthe demonstration wascompleted.
・The social
implementation of theoutcomes of BI-Tech,such as the energyconserving nudges, being
incorporated into the
products and services ofcompanies participatingin the demonstration
project, is underway.
・Demonstrations are under
way to demonstrate howpurchasing behavior
between buyers andsellers changes fortransactions involving
individuals or companies
with environmental value
using blockchain
technology.
・Based on the results ofintereviews andquestionnaires tocompanies, providers,regional financial
institutions, and local
governments, a meetingof a working groupconsisting of companies
with expertise in digitaltechnology was held, andthe results of discussions
on the issues of thecurrent J-Credit systemwere published.

58

(3)Building a resilient, safe and secure society[Ideal vision and direction toward its realization]
In response to increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters, we will build a resilient society thatminimizes damage caused by delays in escaping through appropriate evacuation actions, etc., as well as
the early restoration and reconstruction of citizens' lives and the economy, by making full use ofcomprehensive disaster prevention capabilities utilizing advanced ICT as well as expertise in thehumanities and social sciences. In addition, Japan will promote comprehensive initiatives utilizing
science, technology, and innovation related to national resilience, such as ensuring functions andsoundness and reducing the risk of accidents and disasters, by efficiently implementing the construction,
maintenance, management, renewal and improvement of necessary infrastructure.
Furthermore, the government will ensure the safety and security of people's lives, the economy andsociety from attacks in new areas such as cyberspace, which continue to change with diversification andsophistication, and from new biological threats.
Under the current situation in which geopolitical changes are taking place on a global scale, and inwhich the core of the struggle for supremacy is science, technology, and innovation, the impact ofscience, technology, and innovation on the state will continue to increase. Based on this recognition,industry, academia, and government will work together to promote research and development of cuttingedge technologies across fields, contribute to the construction of a safe, secure, and resilient society, andprotect important information that is the root of national power.
With the aim of creating such a resilient, safe and secure society, it is important for the relevant
ministries and agencies, industry, academia, and government to work together to mobilize Japan's
emerging technological capabilities and to "know," "develop," "utilize," and "protect" in order tomaintain peace in our country and ensure the safety and security of the country and its people throughthe realization of comprehensive security against various threats. In other words, based on the Directionof Science, Technology, and Innovation for Realization of “Safety and Security 95” the government will"know" what threats exist, or what technologies are available to respond to threats, and will consider how
to "develop" the necessary technologies and how to "utilize" the developed technologies in social
implementation. The government will also promote measures to “protect” and prevent the leakage ofthese technologies. Specifically, the government will clarify the critical technology fields that Japanneeds to cultivate and allocate priority resources to critical technologies. At the same time, thegovernment will steadily implement appropriate countermeasures to prevent the technology leakages
from the viewpoint of securing and maintaining technological superiority of Japan and preventing thediversion of research and development results to weapons of mass destruction. In this way, Japan willprotect its critical technologies, secure our country's research security, and realize comprehensive
security.
[Target]・ The government will reduce and eliminate social concerns about various threats to the lives of the95

Decision made by the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council on January 21, 202059

people and the economy and society, such as frequent and intensified natural disasters and new
biological threats, and ensure the safety and security of the people.
[Key targets in science, technology, and innovation policies] (Key indicators)

・ Number of prefectures that can respond to disasters using the basic disaster prevention information
distribution network SIP4D (Shared Information Platform for Disaster Management): All prefectures(2023)
・ Number of local governments operating disaster prevention chatbots 96 : more than 100 local
governments (2023)

・ Complete coordination among infrastructure data platforms of ministries and agencies, major local
governments, and private companies, and data linkage with other major sectors by around FY2025
・ Construct a system foundation for collecting, generating, and providing cyber security information
domestically, and open the system to industry and academia in FY2021.
・ Strengthen the ability to respond to biological threats: strengthen systems for gathering, analyzing,and providing information on infectious diseases in FY2021, and conduct information-gathering as
needed. Provide information for risk communication based on researchers' analysis from FY2022.
・ New think tank functions: establish in FY 2021 and establish an organization by FY 2023
[Current data] (Reference index)

・ Number of fatalities and missing persons due to natural disasters: 107 persons (2020) 97
・ Amount of damage to facilities due to natural disasters: approximately 900 billion yen (2019) 98
・ Number of occurrences of short time heavy rain (over 50 mm/h) per year: about 334 times/year(average for 2011 to 2020) 99
・ Percentage of infrastructure built more than 50 years ago (e.g., road bridges): approximately 63%(2033) 100
・ Number of cases of cyber attacks (e.g., ransomware): approximately 61.13 million (2019) 101
・

96

Number of reported cases of infection in the Infectious Diseases Report (e.g., tuberculosis): 21,672 cases (2019)102

A system that uses AI to automatically communicates with disaster victims on social media on behalf of people in the event of adisaster. R&D conducted on the SIP (Phase 2) R&D theme Enhancement of National Resilience against Natural Disasters (FY2018 to
FY2022).
97

Cabinet Office, White Paper on Disaster Management 2021

98

Cabinet Office, White Paper on Disaster Management 2021

99

Japan Meteorological Agency, Climate Change Monitoring Report 2020 (2021),

URL: https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/NMHS/indexe_ccmr.html
100

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, White Paper on Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan

2020
101

IPA, Information Security White Paper 2020

102

National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Disease Report, 2019;

URL: https://www.niid.go.jp/niid/ja/ydata/10064-ydata2019.html

60

① Responding to increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters
Specific measures under the Basic Plan
Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation○In each process of prevention,
・In order to・With regard to the automatic
observation and prediction,
automatically connect
connection between SIP4D
emergency response, and restoration
SIP4D to prefecturaland disaster information
and reconstruction against natural
disaster information
systems in each prefecture,disasters, including efforts related tosystems and swiftly
promotion activities, theearthquakes and tsunamis based onshare regional disasterestablishment of consultationinternational frameworks, theinformation throughdesks, and the provision of
government will promote research
SIP4D, we areinformation on supportand development to enhance the level
conducting technology
measures will be promoted inof countermeasures taking climate
development andcooperation with relevantchange into consideration, as well as
demonstrations ofministries and agencies. [STI,advance the strengthening of theautomatic connection
Disaster]observation systems and development
between systems.
・Regarding disaster preventionof research facilities necessary for・A prototype disasterchatbots, we will work tosuch research and development, andprevention chatbot has
improve the functions of thewill particularly focus on
been constructed andsystem so that a part of thestrengthening resilience by utilizing
demonstration
system for sharing
advanced ICT. In addition toexperiments have been
information with
developing an information sharing
conducted inmunicipalities and residents
system centered on SIP4D, which ismunicipalities.
will be put into operation in
responsible for the cross・Through the
FY2023. [STI, Disaster, IT,
organizational exchange of disaster
construction andMIC]
prevention information, to
operation of the DIAS, ・While improving the accuracy
prefectures and municipalities, thewhich accumulates andof climate change weathergovernment will work to strengthen
analyzes global
forecasting data, which serves
regional disaster prevention
environmental data,
as evidence data for disastercapabilities, and will promote support
we have been
prevention measures, withfor decision-making in various scenes
undertaking flood
respect to the DIAS, based onrelated to disaster response throughforecasting and thethe results and achievements
the use of global environment big
construction of a realso far, we will further expand
data utilizing the DIAS and thetime flood forecastingand develop the utilization of
construction of an integrated G-spacesystem, etc. to
big data for the global
disaster prevention and disaster
contribute to theenvironment using the DIAS
mitigation system that links efforts
resolution of global
under long-term and stablethat make advanced use of geospatialchallenges in disaster
operation, and implement
information among relevant
prevention andinitiatives to realize a data
ministries and agencies. In addition,
mitigation.
platform (hub) for the global
the government will promote the DX ・G-Spatial Action Plan
environment, includingof disaster response by further
2020, an action plandisaster prevention andsupporting the optimization of
for the promotion of
mitigation measures. [MEXT,
disaster response by industry,
the utilization of
MLIT]
government, academia, and citizens,
geospatial information, ・We will steadily implement
and enhancing information systems
presents the policy forthe project of establishing an
for risk communication withthe establishment of an
integrated G-space disaster
individual citizens that contribute tointegrated geospatial
prevention and mitigation
self-help, mutual assistance, anddisaster prevention andsystem in line with the policy
public assistance. For this purpose,
mitigation system
for its establishment as set out
the government will sequentially link
which was decided byin the G- Spatial Action Plan
SIP4D with prefectural disasterthe Council for the2020. [G-Space. Relevant
information systems from FY2021.
Advancement ofministries and agencies]
With regard to disaster prevention
Utilizing Geospatial
・We will construct anchatbots, part of a system for
Information.
observation network centeredinformation sharing with・Regarding the nexton the next-generation
municipalities and residents will start
generation
meteorological satellite
61

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

operating from FY2023, and efforts
will be made to further enhance thesystem.[STI, Disaster, relevant
ministries and agencies, relevant
local governments]

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
meteorologicalsatellite, we conducted
research ontechnological trends inJapan and overseas,and started
technologicaldevelopment utilizing
the Strategic Programfor Accelerating
Research,
Development andUtilization of SpaceTechnology.

62

Future action policy(commencing its manufacture
in and around FY2023) thatincorporates the latest
technologies such as highdensity observation. In
addition, under the Strategic
Program for Accelerating
Research, Development andUtilization of SpaceTechnology, we will promote
the development of spaceenvironment monitoring
technology using the next generation meteorologicalsatellite in cooperation with
relevant ministries andagencies. [MLIT]
・Through co-creation between
industry, government,
academia, and the private
sector, we will combine
Information integrated throughDX with disaster response
knowledge and experience
analyzed through social
science methods and utilize
them as the convergence ofknowledge to consider issues
in research and developmentthat will contribute to disaster
response support. [MEXT]

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

○In addition to building a research basefor information sharing systems, thegovernment will implement efficientand effective R&D investment andsocial implementation based on theoverall perspective of disasterprevention research, taking into
account the evaluation of the level ofdisaster prevention measures,
behavioral psychology analysis ofevacuees, analysis of social needs
and issues in disaster prevention ,benchmarking of disaster prevention
technologies, etc., utilizing
knowledge from the humanities andsocial sciences. [STI, Disaster,
relevant ministries and agencies,
relevant local governments]

Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation
・As a result of the・Based on the overall survey ofsurvey of disaster risk
disaster risk prevention
prevention researchresearch, study groups
from an overall
consisting of government
perspective, we
related departments andrecognized theexperts were establishednecessity ofrespectively to start R&D andestablishing systematicdevelopment of management
and strategic researchsystems related to socialand development
implementation, and toinvestment from a
examine the direction of
medium- to long-term
future disaster risk reduction
perspective and a
research and new R&D issues
management systemin the field of disaster risk
with a control tower
reduction. Specifically, newfunction in disasterR&D issues will berisk prevention
considered by FY2022 based
research. We haveon the evaluation of thestarted discussions
current level of disasterwith related ministries
prevention measures, problem
and agencies.
analysis, and examination of
the possibility of developing
technology seeds. [STI,
Disaster, relevant ministries
and agencies]② Efficient infrastructure management through digitalization, etc.
Specific measures under the Basic Plan
Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation○In order to realize efficient・Through the PRISM
・By FY2022, the government
infrastructure management for
public offering, a total
will build a platform that links
national land strengthening, theof 38 leading-edge
data on national land,
implementation of leading-edge
technologies for public
economic activities, andtechnologies in public works will beworks are being tested
natural phenomena held bypromoted. At the same time, thein FY2020.
the national government, local
digitalization and 3-D conversion of・The DX Promotion
governments, and the private
infrastructure data by each
Headquarters for
sector. [MLIT]
administrator will be sequentiallyinfrastructure in theimplemented, and rules and platforms
Ministry of Land,for utilizing such data will be
Infrastructure,established. [STI, MLIT, relevant
Transport and Tourism
ministries and agencies]
held a total of threemeetings andannounced DX
measures including aroadmap in February
2021.
・The terms of service
for the Land,
Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism
Data Platform wereannounced in March
63

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
2020.
○In order to construct collaborative data ・Up to FY2020, data
platforms in the infrastructure field,
linkage review
by FY2021, the government will
meetings were held six
develop an environment for
times, and basic
collaboration between data platforms
concepts, frameworksof ministries and agencies, major
for linkage, andlocal governments, and private
process charts werecompanies. From then on, thedeveloped with a view
government will promote
to building a linkedcollaboration between infrastructure
infrastructure data
administrators, and will implement
platform.
data collaboration with disasterprevention, urban areas, andindustrial areas in order to strengthen
national land and create other added
value. [STI, related ministries andagencies]

Future action policy

・We will considerthe basic
framework for building acollaborative infrastructure
data platform andimplementation of model
projects by the end of
FY2021. [STI, relevant
ministries and agenciens]
・We will make preparations toestablish an operation system
for a collaborative
infrastructure data platform
with participation by relevantorganizations by the end of
FY2021. [STI, relevant
ministries and agencies]③ Ensuring security in cyberspace, where attacks are becoming increasingly diverse andsophisticatedSpecific measures under the Basic Plan
Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation○As cyber attacks diversify and become ・With the expansion of ・In FY2021, the construction
more sophisticated, there arecyberspace and theand operation of integrated
discontinuous changes in theadvancement ofintellectual and humansituation, and the ability to follow
integration with real
resource development
and adapt to such changes is required.
space, threats are
infrastructure of cybersecurity
Based on this perspective, R&D andbecoming more(commonly known assystem construction will be carriedcomplex andCYNEX) will be launched.
out for observing, forecasting,sophisticated, such as[MIC]
analyzing, responding to, and sharing
cyber attacks using
・In FY2021, we began research
information on attacks. Specifically,
new technologies andand development on a newby FY2021, the government will
methods, and attacks
generation encryption
establish a system infrastructure forsuspected of being
technology for secure wirelesscollecting, generating, and providing
committed bycommunication services.
cyber security information in Japan,
organized crime[MIC]
and open the system to industry andgroups and states. In・With regard to technicalacademia. In addition, thefact, attacks on criticalverification, etc., to respondgovernment will promote theinfrastructure andto supply chain risks, relevant
development of advanced
supply chains areministries and agencies will
cryptographic technologies for the
being recognizedestablish verification systems,
quantum computer era, and technicaloverseas.
conduct technical surveys onverification for detecting
verification of hardware
vulnerabilities and illegal functions inchips, etc., and promote theresponse to supply chain risks.
establishment of a verification[Cabinet Secretariat, STI, MIC,
base (Proven in Japan). They
METI, relevant ministries andalso started verification tests
agencies]
in FY2020 in order toestablish a foundation forcyber physical security
measures under the Strategic
64

Innovation Promotion
Program (SIP). [Cabinet
Secretariat, STI, MIC, METI,
relevant ministries andagencies]④ Response to new biological threatsSpecific measures under the Basic Plan

Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation○In response to new biological threats,
・The recent global
・From FY2021, thethe government will promote
outbreak of COVID-19
government will strengthen
research and development related tohas exposed thesystems for the aggregation,
early detection of outbreaks,
vulnerability of social
analysis, and provision ofunderstanding and forecasting ofsystems to infectious
information on infectious
epidemics, prevention and control,
diseases.
diseases, and will consolidate
and risk communication with the・In an increasingly
information as needed. We
public. Specifically, from FY2021,
globalized society,also promote research thatthe government will strengthen
there is a risk that
contributes to the analysis ofsystems for collecting, analyzing, andinfectious diseases will
infectious diseases forproviding information on infectious
spread beyond national
effective risk communication.
diseases, and will implement
borders in a short[MHLW]
information collection as needed. In
period of time due toaddition, from FY2022, thethe transborder
government will provide information
movement of people
for risk communication based on theand goods. There isanalysis by researchers. [Cabinet
also a risk that new
biological threats will
Secretariat, STI, MHLW, relevant
occur in the future, andministries and agencies]that this will seriously
damage the lives of thepeople, the economy
and society.

⑤ Responding to threats to the safety and security of space, marine, and other fields
Specific measures under the Basic Plan
Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation○In response to other threats to safety ・Regarding ocean
・In order to strengthen theand security, including those in theobservation, we arecapacity of MDA and to makespace and maritime fields, thedeveloping
maximum use of Japan’s vast
government will conduct R&D on
observation using
exclusive economic zone, it isleading-edge basic technologies, andresearch vessels,
essential to upgrade andR&D and social implementation in
floats, buoys, etc., andimprove the efficiency of
response to respective issues, while
promoting theocean observation
ensuring an international cooperation
development oftechnologies. In addition tosystem. [Cabinet Secretariat, STI,
unmanned observationmanned observation by ships
Space, Ocean, MOFA, MEXT, METI,
technologies such as
and other vessels, we will
Disaster, relevant ministries and
AUV 103.
develop technology thatagencies]
・Outer space plays anmakes it possible to observe
important role as thethe ocean more widely, infoundation of people’s
detail and efficiently by
103

AUV: Autonomous Underwater Vehicle.
65Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation
lives, economic andunmanned observation usingsocial activities, and
AUV and submarine opticalsecurity. As
fiber cables. [MEXT]
international(Restated)competition in space
・In addition to promoting theintensifies, threats andsteady development of spacerisks to space systems
systems such as the quasisuch as anti-satellite
zenith satellite system,
weapons and cyber
information-gathering
attacks are becoming
satellites, and SSA satellites,
more apparent, and thethe government will alsorole of space in national
consider satellite
security is becoming
constellations for missile
increasingly important,defense, establish rules forsuch as responding toorbital use, and strengthen the
new threats such as
mission assurance of thehypersonic glide
entire space system, including
missiles. In addition,
cyber security measures.
further congestion in[Space, related ministries andouter space is expectedagencies]
due to an increase indebris, etc., and it is anurgent issue to deal
with the risk ofhindering thesustainable and stable
use of outer space.

⑥ Efforts to “know,” “develop,” “utilize,” and “protect” safety and security
Implement cross-cutting efforts to strengthen science and technology capabilities as the basis forcomprehensive security, taking into account the homonymy of science and technology. With regard tourgent issues, implement necessary measures, while sequentially establishing a response policy andcoordinating with existing projects.
Specific measures under the Basic

Implementation status

Plan

Future action policy

and analysis of current
situation○In order to enhance efforts to・On March 9, 2020, the ・Based on the report of the resultsmonitor, observe, predict, andworking group on theof study published at theanalyze trends in threats to thethink tank function s
Integrated Innovation Strategy
lives of the citizenry and the social
was established underPromotion Council, a think tankeconomy, to grasp trends in R&D
the Safety and Security
function will be launched thisat home and abroad, and to
Advisory Council for
fiscal year to conduct. andanalyze issues based onstrengthening andanalyses based on advanced
knowledge from the humanities
promoting innovation
knowledge of science andand social sciences, a new system
policy and discussed
technology, and makes proposalsof think tank functions related tothe structure of thethat contribute to policies onsafety and security will bethink tank functions.
important technologies that
established, and policy
・On April 27, 2021, theshould be intensively developed.
recommendations will be made onreport on “the results
・Collaborate with relevant
66Specific measures under the Basic
Plan

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situationof the study on thethink tank functions
necessary for utilizing
science andtechnology to ensure
the safety and securityof Japan and its people
was published at the
Integrated Innovation
Strategy Promotion
Council.

Future action policy

future science and technology
government ministries andstrategies related to safety andagencies to establish an
security and on importantorganization by FY2023 based
technologies that should beon the knowledge gained indeveloped intensively. For thisestablishing a new think tankpurpose, a new think tank function
function.
will be established in FY2021, andan organization will be establishedaround FY2023 to implement
policy recommendations. [Cabinet
Secretariat, STI, relevant
ministries and agencies]○Based on policy recommendations
・Recognized that the・In order to strengthen andfrom new think tank functions,necessity of early
promote economic security, aestablish a mechanism to link withestablishment of think
new project will be launched to
R&D programs and funding astank functions, as
provide strong support fornecessary, and implement
recommendations frompractical application of emerging
management of R&D programs,
new think tankand critical technologies in the
including setting clear targets forfunctions will play an
fields such as space, quantum,social implementation. [Cabinet
important role inAI, supercomputers andSecretariat, STI, relevantclarifying critical andsemiconductors, nuclear energy,
ministries and agencies]
technical fields.
advanced materials,
biotechnology, and oceans bymobilizing the power of the
public and private sectors inclose cooperation with relevant
ministries and agencies, research
institutes, companies, andexperts, while also utilizing thinktank functions. At the same time,
consider and develop amechanism for sharing andutilizing critical and technicalinformation while preserving it.
・Promote research anddevelopment effectively andefficiently by allocating budget
and human resources to criticaland technical fields, including
those mentioned above, to ensure
safety and security..
○In light of the situation in which・As part of the research ・Based on the Policy on Measuresconcerns such as conflicts ofprojects commissioned
to Ensure Research Integrity
interest, conflicts of commitment,by the Cabinet Office,decided by the Integrated
and leakage of scientific andthe Research Integrity
Innovation Strategy Promotion
technological information are
Investigation
Council, the Cabinet Office andbecoming more and more apparent
Committee was held toeach ministry will steadily
as research activities become more
identify researchpromote initiatives, which willinternational and open, theintegrity that should be
be disseminated andgovernment will consider its
secured by Japanese
coummunicated to researchers,
response policy while paying
researchers anduniversities, research institutes,
attention to the difference between
research organizations,etc. In addition, common
basic research and applied
etc. and the state ofguidelines for competitive
development, while also taking
efforts to achieve it,
research funds projects will be
into account the importance ofthrough research andrevised as early as possible ininternational joint research, andanalysis of trends in
2021.
67

Specific measures under the Basic
Plan

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
Japan and overseas,interviews withexperts, anddiscussions at theInvestigation
Committee, etc., inlight of the growing
concerns about
conflicts of interest
and commitment andthe leakage of scienceand technology
information, etc., with
the internationalizationand openness of
research activities.

develop necessary guidelines suchas guidelines for public invitationof competitive research funds andcooperation with foreigncompanies in 2021. In order tosupport independent assurance ofthe soundness and fairness of
research activities(research
integrity) that should be held byresearchers, the government will
establish the direction of its
response in early 2021 incooperation with researchcommunities in Japan andoverseas. These guidelines will be
reviewed as necessary in light ofthe status of efforts by eachresearch institute, research funding
agency, etc. [STI, MEXT, METI,
and relevant ministries andagencies]○In order to ensure and maintain・As the security
Japan's technological superiority,environment in our
the government will clarify
country becomes
important technologies, allocate
increasingly severe,resources intensively to importantcompetition fortechnology fields, and implement
supremacy in science,
appropriate measures against
technology andtechnology outflow. In light of theinnovation intensifies.
situation in which international
・Under thesetechnology outflow problems havecircumstances, theemerged, the government will
relevant ministries andpromote information gathering andagencies will consider
consider the construction ofclarifying theframeworks and systems,
underlying
including institutional aspects, intechnologies,
order to take appropriate measuresprioritizing theagainst technology outflow in a
allocation of resources
phased manner according to theto priority technology
actual situation of various
fields, and taking
technology outflows, while
appropriate
promoting information exchange
countermeasures
globally, strengthening researchagainst prevention ofand innovation capabilities, andtechnology leakages.
ensuring comprehensive security.
・The Ministry of[Cabinet Secretariat, STI, andEconomy, Trade andrelevantministries and agencies]
Industry and otherrelevant ministries andagencies studied a way
to manage security
trade.
・Strengthened systems
necessary to collect,analyze, aggregate,
and share information
68

Future action policy・In order to strengthen andpromote economic security, a
new project will be launched toprovide strong support for thepractical application of emerging
and critical technologies in fields
such as space, quantum, AI,
supercomputers andsemiconductors, nuclear energy,
advanced materials,
biotechnology, and oceans bymobilizing the power of the
public and private sectors inclose cooperation with relevant
ministries and agencies, research
institutes, companies, andexperts, while also utilizing thinktank functions. At the same time,
consider and develop amechanism for sharing andutilizing critical and technicalinformation while preserving it.
(Repeat).
・In addition to maintaining
science, technology, andindustrial competitiveness at themost advanced level, amechanism will be establishedfor sharing and utilizing criticaland technical information, fromthe viewpoint of smoothly
promoting international joint
research and securing andmaintaining technologicalSpecific measures under the Basic
Plan

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
on economic security,
includingcountermeasuresagainst technology
leakage.
・Creating a highly
reliable research andbusiness environment
on a voluntary basis isa prerequisite forcontinuing toparticipate ininternational leadingedge research networkand to create
innovation throughdiverse humanresources. It is
important that
universities, research
institutes, andenterprises, including
SMEs, comply withlaws and regulations,and takecountermeasures toprevent the leakage oftechnology due to theacceptance ofinternational students,
foreign researchers,
and joint research, andto reduce risks.

69

Future action policy

superiority of Japan.
・With regard to the handling ofpatents among R&D results,
taking into consideration “theconsistency and balance withmeasures to deal with technology
leaks through other media” and“the patent systems in othercountries”, the Government willconsider taking necessary
measures concerning the patentpublication system from theviewpoint of prevention oftechnology leakages while
simultaneously promoting
innovation.
・In order to achieve more
effective border control toprevent the leakage oftechnology, efforts will be madeto strengthen the screening forthe acceptance of foreign
students, researchers, etc.,
including the examination of
immigration control and visa
issuance in cooperation with therelevant ministries and agencies,
and the development of systems
including IT environment for thispurpose.
・Promote efforts by industry,
academia, and the government tofurther strengthen internal
control systems such as access
control of sensitive technicalinformation, enhancement ofmanagement departments, andformulation of internal control
regulations in universities,
research institutes, companies,
and others. The government will
implement measures to reducethe burden on universities,
research institutes, andcompanies, while further
enhancing the awareness raisingand institutional measuresnecessary to achieve this, andimproving their effectiveness.
・Closely examine government
research and development
projects for which technology
should be appropriately managed
from the viewpoint of security
trade control, etc., select projects
subject to security trade control

Specific measures under the Basic
Plan

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation

70

Future action policy

requirements based on thecharacteristics of the projects,
and request the establishment of
a security trade control system towhich funds should be allocated,and continuously expand thetarget projects to prevent
technology leakages. Also, inorder to ensure that R&D entities
carry out the necessary
technology management, theexecutive bodies executing thetarget projects will appropriately
manage the target projects.
・With regard to the investment
screening and ex post monitoring
under the Foreign Exchange andForeign Trade Act, thegovernment will strengthen theenforcement system of theForeign Exchange and Foreign
Trade Control Law, whilestrengthening cooperation among
relevant ministries and agencies,
and will also consider thedesirable situation of designatedindustries. The aim is to realize a
new security trade control
framework that will complement
the existing international export
control regimes at an early date.
We will strengthen controls on"deemed exports" under theForeign Exchange Act by
FY2022.
・Strengthen the system necessary
for collection, analyzing,aggregation, and sharing of
information related to economic
security in order to understandthe actual situation and concerns
about technology leakages andprevent it from occurring, as well
as expand systems for clarifying
and regulating the circumstancesof cases involving technology
theft and cyber attacks. It also
aims to establish a framework tostrengthen public-private
partnerships in order to foster anenvironment where economic
security is positioned as animportant element in corporate
governance.

(4)Formation of innovation ecosystem as a foundation for creating new industries based on value cocreation[Ideal vision and direction toward its realization]
We aim to create a society in which a new industrial base has been built in which companies,
universities, national research institutes, and other entities work together to create value while ensuring
diversity by creating a succession of startups that use social needs as the driving force to solve problems.
For this reason, R&D results from universities, national research and development agencies, etc. thatmeet the needs of cities, regions, and society will be commercialized through open innovation withstartups and operating companies, forming a cycle (virtuous cycle) that continuously creates new added
value. This cycle works actively with social needs as a driving force to create world-class products andservices. In addition, the funds gained through business success and the knowledge gained throughexperience will accelerate human resource development and joint research among operating companies,
universities, national research and development agencies, etc. In this way, universities, national researchand development agencies, operating companies, and local governments become closely connected, andstartups that create innovation are created one after another, forming an ecosystem that can grow big.
By creating a system in which these flows are seamlessly connected, with cities and regions at its core,
innovation leading to the resolution of social issues and social transformation can be created in acontinuous and interlinked manner. In addition, it will help startups expand globally and attract moreinvestment from around the world.
In order to realize such an ecosystem, we will strongly promote the creation of need-pull innovation,and develop institutional and policy environments to promote innovation activities of startups andbusiness companies. Furthermore, we will promote the co-creation of new values by industry-academiagovernment collaboration and the formation of startup cities so that the knowledge of universities,
national research and development agencies, etc. can be utilized for society's needs, and we will work on
fostering human resources that supports the ecosystem.
[Target]・ Universities, R&D corporations, operating companies, and local governments are closely linked toform an ecosystem that generates a succession of startups that are trying to solve social issues andreform society, thereby continuously creating new value.
[Key targets in science, technology, and innovation policies] (Key indicators)

・ SBIR 104 expenditure targets for start-up: 57 billion yen (FY2025) 105
・ Contract target for new business operators founded less than 10 years ago based on Act on Ensuring
the Receipt of Orders from the Government and Other Public Agencies by Small and Medium-sized

104

SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) is a cross-agency system that aims to increase the opportunities for SMEs to receive R&D

subsidies and to support the commercialization of the outcomes.
105

FY2020 Target: approximately 46.3 billion yen

71Enterprise: 3% (FY2025) 106
・ Number of participating in practical entrepreneurship education programs: 1,200 (FY2025) 107

・ Acceptance of joint research from private companies by universities and national research anddevelopment agencies: increased by approximately 70% over FY 2018 by FY 2025 (FY 2025) 108
・ Percentage of startup/ecosystem hub cities with cases where data is linked/connected between
sectors: 100% (2025)
・ Unlisted startup companies (unicorns) or listed startup companies with a corporate value or market capitalization of $1 billion or more109: 50
companies (FY2025) 110[Current data] (Reference index)

・ Number of start-ups established by universities: 204 (established in FY2019) established byuniversities, etc. and 13 (established in FY2018) established by R&D-oriented corporations 111
・ Amount and number of investment by VC, etc.: annual investment amount of VC, etc., 289.1 billion
yen/1,824 cases (FY2019) 112
・ Cross-border trademark and patent applications: Japan is the only major country with a relatively larger
number of patent applications than trademark applications per unit population. 113
・ Mobility researchers between departments: 1,150 researchers transferred from companies touniversities, etc., and 218 researchers transferred from universities, etc. to companies (FY2019) 114① Support for startup creation and growth based on social needs
Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situation○In order to promote the creation of ・In the Sixth Basic Plan, the ・The government will workneeds-pull innovation by the
expenditure target (57with related ministries andgovernment, the government willbillion yen) to be achieved
agencies to achieve thepromote the new Japanesein FY2025 was set.
FY2021 spending targets. In
version of SBIR to be enforced
・In June 2021, the Cabinet
doing so, appropriate KPIs
in April 2021 in cooperation withapproved the Policy on thewill be established for thethe relevant ministries andTarget of Expenditure, etc.
new system based on theagencies. The government will
for Specified New
issues raised for the oldintroduce a research andTechnology Subsidies, etc.
system, and the Cabinet
development system based on
for FY2021 in relation to
Office will take the initiative
this system from FY2021, set
the setting of thein accurately assessing and106

FY2019 results: 1.06%

1072020 forecast: about 600 persons

1082018 forecast: about 88.2 billion yen. Based on the situation of the amount of joint research accepted during the first half of the Sixth

Basic Plan period (including the state of recovery from the effects of COVID-19), the government will consider revising numericaltargets as necessary.
109

Enterprises that have not been in business or have been in business for less than ten years as of the beginning of FY2018.

110

Set as targets from FY2018 to FY2025 in the action plan for innovative business activities in FY2020 (July 17, 2020). As of the end of

FY2019: 16 companies.
111

Investigation by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Cabinet Office112

Venture Enterprise Center (VEC), Venture White Paper 2020

113

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, National Institute for Science and Technology Policy, Science andTechnology Indicators 2020 (Research Materials 295, August 2020)
114

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 2020 Results of the Survey of Research and Development (December 2020)72

Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andPlananalysis of current situation
government expenditure targets,
expenditure target, etc. forand provide strong support for
FY2021 (approximately
the creation and growth of start53.7 billion yen).
ups by creating initial demand by ・In June 2021, the Cabinet
procuring products developed
approved the Guidelines
using this system. [STI, relevant
for Granting Designatedministries and agencies]
Subsidies, etc., which
provide for necessary
matters concerning theimplementation ofdesignated subsidies, etc.
・Discussions were held on
the coordination ofministries and agencies forthe effective and efficient
operation of the new
system.

Future action policy

evaluating the implementation
status of related projects.
[STI, relevant ministries andagencies]
・With regard to designatedsubsidies, etc. to be
implemented based on the
Guidelines for Granting
Designated Subsidies, etc.,
specific research anddevelopment issues based onpolicy issues and public
procurement needs will bepresented, and related
research and development
supported. In addition, when
research and development is
successful, a mechanism that
leads to trial introduction andgovernment procurement, etc.
will be established throughcooperation among ministries,
and measures will be
implemented to increase
government procurement.
[STI, relevant ministries andagencies]
・Support for startup hub cities,
promotion of the newJapanese version of SBIR,
support in Plus, promotion ofentrepreneurship education,etc. will be integrated into theinnovation ecosystemformation package. [STI,
relevant ministries andagencies]○In order to realize the creation and ・Support for R&D-oriented ・In order to create startups that
effective support of startups thatstartups with growthbring about solutions to social
solve social issues and bring
potential, including R&D
issues and game changes inabout game changes in thecosts related to practicalthe market, and to provide
market, the government will
application development, iseffective support, thedevelop an environment toprovided on the condition
government will develop an
promote the creation of startups
that they gain cooperation
environment to promote theoriginating from universities,
from support personnel,
creation of venture companies
national research andventure capital, researchfrom universities and national
development agencies, etc.,
institutions, businessresearch and development
support the formation of venturecompanies, etc.
agencies, support thecapital funds, and provide large- ・In order to strengthen theformation of venture capitalscale financial support (Gapability to create highfunds, and implement largeFund supply) by research fund.
growth startups originating
scale financial support (gap
[MEXT, METI]
from universities, etc.,
fund supply) by researchinnovative new technology
funding agencies, etc.
will provide integrated[MEXT, METI]
support for R&D and・In order to strengthen thecommercialization atability to create high-growth
universities and public
startups originating from73

Specific measures under the Basic
Plan

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation
research institutes while
utilizing the know-how of
the private sector forcommercialization. In
addition, in cooperation
with local governments andindustries in the startup
ecosystem hub cities,
support for thecomprehensive
environmental
improvement of practicalentrepreneurship education
at universities, etc. and thecreation of startups byuniversities, etc. havestarted in March 2021.

○In order to ensure that appropriate
contracts are made from theperspective of promoting open
innovation and ensuring a fairand free competitiveenvironment when startups
collaborate with large enterprises
through joint research, etc.,
guidelines will be formulated
that summarize problem cases ineach contract, directions forconcrete improvement thereof,
and views under the
Antimonopoly Act. [JFTC,
METI]○The government will continue toascertain whether appropriate
cooperative relationships havebeen established between
university-based start-ups andrelated companies. [STI, METI]・In November 2020, theJapan Fair Trade
Commission released its
final report regarding tradepractices of start-ups.
・In March 2021, theGuidelines on Business
Partnership Contracts
concerning Business
Alliance with Start-ups was
published.

○We will create an environment inwhich candidates for managerial
positions can easily change jobs
at promising start-ups whose
growth has been hampered by ashortage of managerial positions
by, for example, arranging
requirements for managerial
positions in light of startup

・In January 2021, we
conducted interviews andquestionnaires on startup
management personnel.

・The working group ofStartup Ecosystem hub
City Promotion Council
grasps and examines theactual situation.

74

Future action policy
universities, etc., innovative
new technology will provide
integrated support for R&D
and commercialization ofuniversities with highpotential, while utilizing
know-how oncommercialization from theprivate sector. In addition,
support will be provided forpractical entrepreneurshipeducation at universities, etc.,
gap funds, and establishmentof startup support systems incooperation with local
governments and industry instartup hub cities. [MEXT,
METI]
・Along with the relevant
institutions, we will examine
the establishment of anenvironment for large-scale
fundraising in the late stage of
R&D-type startups. [STI,
FSA, METI]・The Guideline Partnership
Contracts with Startups thathas been formulated to ensure
appropriate contracts will beknown. [JFTC, METI]・We will conduct
investigations into the atcualstate of cooperative
relationships between
university-originated startups
and their partner companies.
[STI, METI]・By supporting the creation ofgood partnerships that
efficiently and effectively
match human resources who
contribute to the growth ofstartups, and by summarizing
and publicizing the findings
and examples obtained
through such partnerships asSpecific measures under the Basic
Plan
management issues. [METI]○In cooperation with governmentrelated organizations providing
startup support, the government
will continue to support startups
that engage incommercialization, etc. byutilizing technological seeds, andresearchers and entrepreneurs
who aim to start businesses.
[METI, relevant ministries andagencies]

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation

Future action policy

results, we aim to have theresults widely utilized in theprivate market and to expand
and accelerate the flow ofhuman resources to startups.
・In order to provide efficient ・In Plus, we will provide
and effective support toefficient and effective support
startups, in July 2020, 9
to startups that use technology
government agencies
seeds to develop theirestablished the “Startup
businesses and humanSupport Agency
resources, such as researchers
Partnership Agreement
and entrepreneurs who are(commonly known as
aiming to start their
Plus) ” and in November
businesses. [METI, relevant
2020, established a oneministries and agencies]
stop window.

② Promotion of corporate innovation activities
Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situation○In order to ensure that companies ・We conducted interviews
・In funding research andthat take on innovation
with enterprises to sort out
development, reviews will be
management 115 are evaluated by
the requirements required
made to take into account thethe capital market, etc., thefor innovation management
state of corporate efforts
government will design a systemand to select excellent
based on the Action
to issue stocks based onenterprises.
Guidelines and the IndustryISO56002:2019 116, the Action
・The implementation status
Academia-Government
Guidelines for Japaneseof the Guideline forCollaboration Guidelines.
Companies’ Management forEnhancing Industry[METI]
Value Creation 117, etc. In
Academia-Government
addition, in funding research andCollaboration Activities
development, the government
was used as a reference inwill sequentially conduct
the selection of the Next
examinations taking into accountUniversity-Society Openthe status of efforts by
Innovation Initiative
companies based on the Action
Program in March 2021.
Guidelines, the Guideline forEnhancing Industry-AcademiaGovernment Collaboration
Activities , etc. 118. [METI]○Based on the diversity situation in ・Discussions were held on
・Based on the opinions of thewhich external human resources
the state of R&D projects
R&D and Innovation
re active in European and Northin the future by the R&D
Subcommittee of theAmerican companies, the efforts
and Innovation
Committee on Industrialof countries and companies
Subcommittee of the
Science and Technology
around the world, and the results
Committee on Industrial
Policy and Environmentof analyses of past R&D projects
Science and Technology
under the Industrial Structure
115

Management to transform organizations, processes, corporate culture and climate and to facilitate innovation; provided, however,that it is assumed that a system has been established to allocate necessary resources (budget, personnel, etc.) for innovation creation
activities and to commercialize them.
116

International standard for innovation management systems (July 2019)117

October 4, 2019, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Innovation 100 Committee

118

Guideline for Enhancing Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Activities [Supplement] (June 2020)75

Specific measures under the Basic
Plan
conducted in FY2020, thegovernment will establish newpolicy methods for promoting
R&D in R&D projects in a
flexible manner in accordancewith new social issues, rather
than in a linear manner. [METI]○We will promote understanding of
the management importance(value and risk) of open source
software (OSS) 119 , which isessential for creating open andagile innovation, and conduct
dissemination and awarenessraising to raise awareness of theuse of OSS. 120. [SIPSH]○By FY2024, the government willconsider and draw up aconclusion on methods forcompiling statistics to grasp
detailed R&D trends inenterprises, such as R&D
periods. [STI, MIC, METI]

Implementation status andFuture action policy
analysis of current situation
Policy and Environment
Council, we will implement
under the Industrial
concrete measures. [METI]
Structure Council in
November 2020 and April
2021.
・Research and analysis ofpast R&D projects werecompleted in March 2021
as a commissioned project.
・Promotion materials to・Regarding OSS, we willshow the necessity, value,
continue to promote
and risk of OSS areunderstanding of the
distributed at events whereimportance of management
managers and intellectual(value and risk) and promote
property parties gather
and enlighten people to raise(e.g., a traveling patent
awareness of OSS utilization.
office held by the Japan[SIPSH]
Patent Office). Efforts havealso been made to promote
understanding and raiseawareness of OSS,
including explanation andpanel discussions at aworkshop (held in March
2021) hosted by the JapanIntellectual Property
Association, which wasattended by businesspeople.
・Reviews were held with・We will review methods forexternal experts andcompiling statistics to grasp
relevant ministries anddetailed R&D trends such asagencies on methods for
R&D periods in enterprises.
compiling statistics to[STI, MIC, METI]
understand detailed R&D
trends, such as R&D
periods at companies.

③ Promotion of new value co-creation by industry-academia-government collaboration
Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situation○In order to accelerate the・In June 2020, the Intensive ・In the public-private support
matching of knowledge, which is
support for young
project for discovering young
the source of innovation owned
promising researchers
researchers etc., theby universities and national
launched.
government will continue toresearch and development
・The Adaptable andpromote industry-academiaagencies, with social needs, theSeamless Technology
government joint research andpromotion of industry-academiaTransfer Program throughstrengthen matching between
government joint research andTarget-driven R&D (Ayoung researchers and119

OSS: Open Source Software. Software that the creator of the software has published the source code free of charge and is users are

permitted to use, modify, or redistribute it under prescribed conditions.
120

Utilizing the results of the "Survey and Research on Intellectual Property Risks Related to Open Source Software in the Age of

Digitalization and IoT" (April 2020, Japan Patent Office)76

Specific measures under the BasicPlan
the strengthening of young
researchers and industry will bestrengthened. [STI, MEXT,
METI]

Implementation status andFuture action policy
analysis of current situation
STEP) will determine theindustry, thereby accelerating
themes for adoption formatching between society's
FY2020 in the fall, andneeds and knowledge owned
will support researchersby universities, national
engaged in industryresearch and development
university cooperation.
agencies, etc., which is the・In March 2021, the thirdsource of innovation [STI,
amendment for FY2020
MEXT, METI]
adopted and supported
research and developmentthat is expected tocontribute to social change
in the With/Post corona
era.
○The government will promote the ・The implementation status ・We will consider necessary
creation of new value throughof the Guideline formeasures to promoteindustry-academia-government
Enhancing Industryexaminations that take into
collaboration by disseminating to
Academia-Government
account the state of efforts byuniversities and industries the
Collaboration Activities
universities, companies, etc.
issues and prescriptions in
was used as a reference inbased on the Guideline foruniversities and industries thatthe selection of the private
Enhancing Industrywere compiled in the Guideline
support project for
Academia-Governmentfor Enhancing Industrydiscovering young
Collaboration Activities in
Academia-Government
researchers (November
R&D projects to promote
Collaboration Activities in June2020), Industry-Academia
industry-academia2020. In addition, theFusion Leading Modelgovernment collaboration thatgovernment will promote theBase Creation Program
brings about a virtuous cycle
examination of research and(March 2021), andof human resources,development projects for
Program on open
knowledge, and funds. [STI,
promoting industry-academiainnovation platform for
MEXT, and METI]
government collaboration thatindustry academia cobrings about a virtuous cycle ofcreation（COI-NEXT）
human resources, knowledge,
was launched in FY2020,and funds, taking into accountthe status of efforts byuniversities and enterprises basedon the Industry-AcademiaGovernment Collaboration
Guidelines. [STI, MEXT, METI]○The government will promote
・In September 2020, we
・The government will promote
cooperation among universities,
selected and supported fivethe establishment of anational research and
F/S research projects inmanagement system todevelopment agencies, researchareas under the Next
support the formulation of
institutes, companies, etc. by
University-Society Opensustainable industrypromoting the establishment of a
Innovation Initiative
academia-government
management system that
Program.
collaboration projects and the
supports the formation of・Program on open
advancement of businesses, assustainable industry-academiainnovation platform forwell as the establishment ofgovernment cooperation projects
industry academia coopen innovation hubs thatand the advancement of projects,
creation（COI-NEXT）
serve as a platform for coand the development of open
was launched in FY2020,
creation by diverse
innovation centers that serve as
and 18 bases were selectedstakeholders, andvenues for co-creation by various
and supported in December
collaboration among
stakeholders. [STI, MEXT,
of the same year.
universities, national research
METI]
and development agencies,
research institutes, andcompanies. [STI, MEXT,
77

Specific measures under the Basic
Plan

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation

Future action policy
METI]
・In FY2021, the community
co-creation field was newly
established under Program on
open innovation platform forindustry academia co-creation（COI-NEXT）to support theconstruction of a sustainablecommunity-industryacademia-government cocreation system. [MEXT]④ Creating a start-up ecosystem hub comparable to that of the world
Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situation○To support the unique efforts of
・We held an acceleration
・The government will continue
the startup ecosystem hub cities
program implemented by
to provide cities with
to form an autonomous startup
top overseas accelerators
intensive support from theecosystem comparable to that offor startups in startup
public and private sectors,
the world, the government willcities.
including the revitalization of・In cooperation with local
provide intensive support to thestartup creation atgovernments and industries
hub cities by the public anduniversities, strengthening ofin startup cities, support for
private sectors, such as vitalizing
accelerator functions and gap
the comprehensive
the creation of startups at
funds with a view to entering
environmental
universities, strengthening
overseas markets, the raising
improvement of practicalaccelerator functions and theof public awareness about theentrepreneurship education
Gap Fund with a view to enter
connection to theat universities, etc. and theforeign markets as well, raisinginfrastructure for data linkage
creation of startups byawareness of the connection of
between fields, and theuniversities, etc. started indata between sectors to thecollaboration with smart city
March 2021.
foundation, and cooperating withbusinesses. [STI, MEXT,
METI.]
smart city projects. [STI, MEXT,
METI.]
・A working group of theCouncil for Promotion ofStartup Ecosystem Hub Cities
was established to activate
discussions on support
measures for hubs,
cooperation among hubs, andstrengthening cooperation
with universities, etc. [STI,
MEXT, METI.]・In cooperation with local
governments and industries instartup cities, support will be
provided for the establishmentof a startup support system,
such as the promotion ofpractical entrepreneurshipeducation and thestrengthening of gap funds atuniversities and otherinstitutions. [STI, MEXT,
METI]

78

⑤ Cultivation of human resources who take on challenges
Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andPlananalysis of current situation○In order to develop human・In cooperation with local
resources who are motivated togovernments and industries
take on the challenge, byin startup cities, support for
FY2025, all universities
the comprehensive
participating in the consortium ofenvironmental
startup city will implement an
improvement of practicalonline and otherentrepreneurship education
entrepreneurship programs. By
at universities, etc. and thethe same fiscal year, thesecreation of startups by
examples will be collected anduniversities, etc. started in
deployed nationwide. [MEXT]March 2021.
○The government will create
・From July 2020 to March
opportunities for the2021, the Industrydevelopment and active
Academia Innovation HR
participation of innovative
Circulation Training Study
human resources in order toGroup was established toincrease the depth of a diverse
carry out discussions on
range of innovative humanthe improvement of theresources, including management
environment to foster
human resources involved in theinnovation humancreation of innovation, and toresources.
improve the quality of humanresources by increasing theirmobility. To this end, thegovernment will, by FY2023,
engage in conducting a factfinding survey on thedevelopment of an environment
for developing innovative humanresources and disseminate bestpractices, taking into account theaccumulation of discussions onhuman resource development.
FY2023. [METI]○From the perspective of・In June 2020, the Ministry
promoting human resourceof Economy, Trade andexchanges between universities,
Industry and Ministry ofnational research and
Education, Culture, Sports,
development agencies, andScience and Technology
corporations, allowing
jointly compiled the Basic
innovative human resources to
Framework for the Crosswork in the right place, andAppointment System andenhancing the efficiency ofPoints to Noteinnovation creation, the Basic(Supplemental Version)
Framework of the Cross[Supplementary Edition].
appointment System and Points
・Along with the Guidelines
to Note (Supplementary Version)for Fortifying Joint
will be widely disseminated to
Research Throughindustry and academia by
Industry-AcademiaFY2023, and efforts will be
Government Collaboration
made to match industry and[Supplementary Edition]
79

Future action policy
・In cooperation with local
governments and industries instartup cities, support will be
provided for the promotion ofpractical entrepreneurshipeducation and support for gap
funds and establishment of astartup support system atuniversities and otherinstitutions. [MEXT]
・We will conduct a fact-finding
survey on the development ofan environment for fostering
innovation human resourcesand disseminate best practices.
[METI]

・The government will promote
the Basic Framework for the
Cross-Appointment System
and Points to Note
(Supplemental Version) to
industry and academia.
・We will match humanresources of industry andacademia by utilizing the
public-private support projectfor discovering young
researchers, etc. [METI]

academia human resources byutilizing the "Public and Private
Support Project for Discovering
Young Researchers.".. [METI]

prepared by the two
ministries at the same time,the materials were
distributed to the businessworld, universities, etc.
・In February 2021, as partof a promotion to promote
the Guidelines, thegovernment held a seminaron the application of the
Guidelines, titled "Avirtuous cycle of humanresources," in which thecontents of this supplement
were taken up andpublicized to relevant
parties.

⑥ Continuation of research and development related to important technologies that need to be
maintained in Japan and succession of technologies
Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situation○In the event that it becomes・In the event that a problem ・In the event that it becomesdifficult for operating companies
arises, such as that it
difficult for operating
to continue or succeed R&D or
becomes difficult for acompanies to continue or
technologies due tocompany to continue
succeed R&D or technology
environmental changes such as
research on importantdue to environmental changes
COVID-19, with regard totechnologies that are highly
such as COVID-19, with
important technologies that arenecessary to be retained inregard to important
highly necessary to be retained inJapan, it has beentechnologies that are highly
Japan, efforts will be made toconfirmed that AIST will
necessary to be retained inestablish a framework, such asutilize various acceptanceJapan, it has confirmed thatnational research andsystems to the extent
AIST will utilize various
development agencies to takepossible to support theacceptance systems to theover such technologies,
temporary employment ofextent possible to support theincluding research resources,
relevant researchers andtemporary employment ofwith a view to bridging thethe succession/continuation
relevant researchers and thefuture. [METI]
of relevant research for a
succession/continuation ofcertain period of time,
relevant research for a certain
assuming that the relevant
period of time, assuming thattechnology will be bridged
the relevant technology willto domestic enterprises in
be bridged to domestic
the future.
enterprises in the future.
[METI]

80

(5)Urban and regional development that will take over the foundation for the next generation(development of smart cities)[Ideal vision and direction toward its realization]
By creating diverse and sustainable cities and regions throughout the country that can resolve issues
in cities and regions and continue to create new value while making full use of local potential, we aim tocreate a society with a sustainable livelihood foundation that enables all stakeholders, including residents,
workers, and tourists, to maximize their vitality as human beings, by providing new places to live andwork in remote reality in the new normal, eliminating regional disparities, and realizing safety andsecurity by responding to various threats such as natural disasters and infectious diseases.
For this purpose, we will create an environment in which it is easy to start a business by strongly
developing and developing smart cities, which are the core of wide-area cooperation and multi-core
cooperation, starting from the the development of data linkage platform in Super Cities, and by
introducing a common system that enables data linkage across fields and enterprises, and development
and cooperation to other cities and regions, and ensuring security. In addition to government initiatives,
initiatives led by local governments and the private sector will make use of reference architectures for
smart cities and knowledge gained through the smart city public-private partnership platform, promote
the introduction of infrastructure management methods utilizing new technologies and next-generation
mobility services, and realize the overall optimization of urban activities utilizing open data in various
fields.
Through the promotion of community development with the participation of citizens and therevitalization of activities rooted in the local community in cooperation with human resources who leadthe initiatives, many industries will be created, successful experiences will incite the next challenge one
after another, and initiatives will be activated in which the knowledge of the local community is returned
to society through industry-academia-government collaboration and other means. In addition, thegovernment will work to concretize a variety of urban and regional images that address social, economic,
and environmental issues, while making the most of the characteristics and activities of each city andregion, such as compact urban development with a people-centered mind and regional development
aiming at smart local development. As a result, diverse and sustainable cities and regions will be formedin each region to enhance social, economic, and environmental values, such as improving the satisfactionof residents, revitalizing industries, greening, optimizing the use of resources, and realizing coexistencewith nature. Furthermore, smart cities that are realized in various ways according to the social and natural
resources of each city and region, such as cities that provide advanced services and regions that live inharmony with nature, such as satoyama, satoumi, etc., will form a network of mutual cooperation andsupport, and will become a dynamic mechanism that generates a virtuous cycle, leading to the realizationof Society 5.0.
In addition, byJapan's initiatives and concepts of smart cities as an advanced country in the field ofproblem solving becoming widely recognized as a global norm, it will promote the sharing of smart cities
and values around the world and contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society and Regional
Circular and Ecological Sphere that should be passed on to the next generation, and the achievement of
the SDGs.
81

At Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan will present to the world the vision of Society 5.0, which embodies"Designing Future Society for Our Lives," which will present the way society should be after overcoming
COVID-19.
[Target]・ Diverse and sustainable cities and regions are formed across Japan in which various stakeholders,
including citizens, participate to solve local issues, as smart cities that embody Society 5.0, which
are being developed nationwide, and Japan’s concept is disseminated to the world.
[Key targets in science, technology, and innovation policies] (Key Indicators)

・ The number of smart cities implemented (the number of local governments and regional groups
implementing technology and linking and connecting data between fields): approximately 100(2025)
・ Number of local governments, private companies, and community groups implementing smart cities(number of members and observers of smart city public-private partnership platform): more than
1,000 (2025)
・ Number of overseas projects supporting acquisition and utilization of advanced digital technologies
and systems (Information infrastructure, advanced ICT, AI, etc. spanning multiple fields including
smart cities) 26 projects (2025) 121[Current data] (Reference index)

・ Number of types of services developed on urban OS (data linkage platform): (Efforts will be made tomeasure from FY2021)
・ Number of users providing services utilizing urban OS (data linkage platform): (Efforts will be madeto measure from FY2021)
・ Regions where technology is implemented based on government smart city projects: 23
・ Number of smart city collaboration cases
・ Number of dissemination and promotion activities for community contribution and social issues atuniversities, etc.
・ Number of human resources leading the construction of smart cities① Development of infrastructure to facilitate data utilization and development of urban OS thatcan coordinate data

121

Under the framework of the ASEAN Smart City Network (ASCN), Japan aims to provide assistance for project formulation, etc. to 26

cities in the ten ASEAN countries which aim to promote projects through partnerships with private companies and other countries.
82

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
・We created andpublished a catalog
site for public APIs in
smart cities built
through government
projects.

○In the smart city-related projects inwhich government funds are
involved, in the development andservice development of urban OS(data linkage platform) by local
governments, etc., the introduction
and service development of urban
OSs (data linkage platform) capableof data collaboration referring to thesmart city reference architecture shallbe promoted. In addition, theconnection with urban OS (datalinkage platform), etc. established inother regions shall be promoted, anddisclosure of APIs for datacollaboration shall be requested.
[OPDVLE, STI, MIC, METI, MLIT]○Through the implementation of smart ・Interoperability iscity-related projects by ministries andensured by referring toagencies, the development of
the reference
interoperable services that can bearchitecture, which is a
deployed across regions will becommon policy of thecarried out by 2025, and thegovernment for
relationship between infrastructure
implementing theand services will be organized so thatsmart city-related
services developed in leading regions
projects of eachcan be deployed in other regions.
ministry and agency.
[OPDVLE, STI, MIC, METI, MLIT] ・The Study Group on
Data Linkage in Super
Cities and Smart Cities
was held to clarify thedata linkage policy forsmart cities and super
cities.
○The government will revise the Smart ・Revision for the Smart
City Security Guidelines created in
City Security
2020 as needed, promote domestic
Guidelines (Version
deployment, and support security in2.0) and preparation of
the construction of smart cities.
a guidebook for its[MIC, METI]
dissemination andawareness-raising are
in progress.

Future action policy

・We will advance theintroduction and service
development of urban OS(data linkage platform)
capable of data linkage. (100regions by FY2025)[OPDVLE, STI, MIC, METI,
MLIT]
・We will collect API
information that contributes todeveloping smart city andSuper Cities. (FY2021) [STI,OPDVLE, MIC, METI,
MLIT]

・We will consolidate andcentralize information on
services in regions that havebeen selected as smart cityrelated projects by ministries
and agencies. (as needed)[OPDVLE, STI, MIC, METI,
MLIT]
・We will share leading
examples in a timely mannerby adding new smart city sart
local case studies to the Smart
City Guidebook. (as needed)[STI, OPDVLE, MIC, METI,
MLIT]
・In addition to formulating the
Smart City Security Guideline(version 2.0), the government
will disseminate and raiseawareness of the guideline
through forums such as the
Subcommittee on Security
and Safety of Smart Cities
under the Smart City PublicPrivate Partnership Platform.
[MIC]② Development of smart city creation cases nationwide with Super Cities as the core ofcooperation

83Specific measures under the Basic Plan

○Based on the amendment of the
National Strategic Special Zones Act
of 2020 and the revision of the Basic
Policy on National Strategic Special
Zones, zones will be designated in
2021. The designated Super Cities
will be positioned as "a future city "that solve regional problems with
cutting edge technologies, andadvanced services will be
implemented. [OPDVLE]

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
・We accepted a wide
range of proposals
from local
governments
concerning areas to be
designated as special
zones, advanced
services to be
implemented,
regulatory reforms,
etc. (deadline: April
16, 2021).

Future action policy

・Through bold regulatory
reforms and the provision of
cutting edge services throughthe data linkage in multiple
fields, the government will
vigorously promote Super
City Initiative that will
advance the realization of
future lifestyles. After
deliberation by the Expert
Committee on the
Designation of Super City
Zones and the Council on
National Strategic Special
Zones, the areas will be
designated with fairness andtransparency. [OPDVLE]
・Local governments across thecountry are considering
measures to accelerate smart
city initiatives. [OPDVLE,
STI, MIC, METI, MLIT]○By FY2025, cases of super cities and・A working group was
smart cities will be collected, cases
established to promote
and progress status of initiatives will
smart city initiatives inbe grasped and shared through smart
local governments
city public-private partnership
nationwide, mainly inplatforms, etc., and collaboration ofordinance-designatedsmart city-related projects across thecities and core cities.
country will be advanced, andregional and private initiatives will bepromoted. Particularly in ordinancedesignated cities and core cities, etc.,
implementation will be promoted
referring to precedent cases, andmultilateral collaboration among
cities and wide-area collaboration
with surrounding areas will bepromoted. [OPDVLE, STI, MIC,
METI, MLIT]○Based on the Smart City Guidebook,
We will promote of smart ・By collecting examples ofwhich is a guide for promoting smart
city initiatives based
smart cities, smart local
cities in local governments andon the Smart City
initiatives across the country
regions, prepared by the end of
Guidebook.
and publishing new leading
FY2020, the government will
examples in the Smart City
promote reference architectures,
Guidebook, we will promote
APIs, and services, share examples of
their further spread
smart cities, and disseminate andnationwide. [OPDVLE, STI,
develop the significance, promotion
MIC, METI, MLIT]
methods, and definitions of smart
cities. [OPDVLE, STI, MIC, METI,
MLIT]○In order to implement and disseminate ・In the Data Strategy
・ We will create examples ofsmart cities in a planned manner, the
TF First Summary
application of cross-sectional
promotion system within thereleased in December
data linkage technology in thegovernment shall be strengthened,
2020, the utilization
smart city field.
and projects by each ministry andpolicy of the reference ・We will create new initiatives
agency shall be carried out in anarchitecture wasrelated to smart cities in open
integrated manner based on a
specified in theinnovation challenges, etc.
84Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
development of thedata linkage platform.
・We will consider astandard data modelfor Super Cities at the
Study Group on Data
Linkagein Super Cities
and Smart Cities.

common policy. In addition, efforts
shall be made for further cooperation
with the government-wide efforts torealize a digital government and todevelop a data cooperation
infrastructure. This will lead to
public-private cooperation efforts
such as promoting the creation of
local start-ups using open data of thenational and local governments andsolving local problems, on theassumption that administrative
organs, which are the largest
platforms of the whole country, willbuild open systems that can be linked
to the private sector through open andstandardized APIs, by utilizing baseregistries built on data strategies.
[STI, relevant ministries andagencies]○With regard to the formation of・We have started
diverse and sustainable cities andcollecting information
regions that enhance social,on smart city
economic, and environmental values
evaluation indicators.
through the use of smart cities,
including the improvement ofresidents' satisfaction, therevitalization of industry, theoptimization of greening andresource utilization, and therealization of symbiosis with nature,
the addition of assessment indicators
will be considered by 2021. At thesame time, they will be reviewed asnecessary and their survey analysis
methods evaluated. Utilizing
knowledge in various fields such as
research and development of a total
optimum model using mathematicalapplications and the examination ofanalytical evaluation methods, thefuture vision of smart cities thatshould be aimed for in the future will
be materialized toward the realizationof Society5.0, such as cities thatprovide cutting-edge services andareas that coexist with nature such as
satoyama. [Social System, OPDVLE,
STI, MIC, METI, MLIT]③ International development

85

Future action policy[STI, relevant ministries andagencies]

・In order to promote smart city
initiatives in each city inJapan, issues related to theexamination and introductionof smart city evaluation
indicators will be identified.
[EFSS, OPDVLE, STI, MIC,
METI, MLIT]

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

○At the G20 Global Smart City
Alliance, we will promote
cooperation with cities around theworld through dissemination andpublic relations activities under theconcept of "free and open smart
cities." [STI, METI]○By 2021, the government and theprivate sector will establish a system
to transmit information incooperation with the internationalframework. In addition totransmitting the concept of Japan's
smart cities, the government and theprivate sector will develop Japan's
experience in urban infrastructuredevelopment and data management
know-how overseas, mainly in Asia.
[Cabinet Secretariat, STI, MIC,
MOFA, METI, MLIT]

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation
・Discussions were heldamong the major cities
participating in the
G20 Global Smart
Cities Alliance todevelop five policies
to be shared, achieve
technology
governance, and close
governance gaps
among cities.
・We created andpublished the Smart
City Catalog (October2020). Explanations
were carried out using
the catalog ininternational
conferences andtraining, etc..
・The Smart JAMP
(Smart City supported
by Japan ASEAN
Mutual Partnership)
was announced in
December 2020 as asupport measure forthe development ofsmart cities in ASEAN
and the formation of
concrete smart city
projects were started.

Future action policy

・We will promote further
participation of cities in the
G20 Global Smart Cities
Alliance and enhance
information disclosure anddevelopment to other cities.
[STI, METI]・We will continue to share theconcept and examples ofJapan's smart cities throughinternational conferences andtraining using the Smart City
Catalog. [Cabinet Secretariat]
・Based on Smart JAMP, thefollowing will be
implemented: acceleration ofsmart city project formation
surveys in the 10 ASEAN
countries, promotion of
investment and financing,enhancement of smart city
measures by ministries andagencies and relatedorganizations, and smooth
information sharing andmutual cooperation among
relevant parties including theprivate sector. [Cabinet
Secretariat , STI, MIC,
MOFA, METI, MLIT]
・Smart Cities were・We will continue to implement
established as ainitiatives for the strategic use
priority area forof standards, centering on the
promoting standards
special team under the Task
utilization acrossForce for the Promotion ofministries and agencies
Standards Utilization. [SIPSH,
under the Task ForceSTI]
for the Promotion ofStandards Utilization.

○In FY2021 and beyond, thegovernment will continue to promote
the use of international
standardization related to smart cities
in cooperation with experts onstandards in Japan and overseas,targeting reference architectures andsecurity guidelines. [Cabinet
Secretariat, OPDVLE, SIPSH, STI,
MIC, MOFA, METI, MLIT]○With regard to the Expo 2025 Osaka,・In cooperation with・We will promote studies on the
Kansai, Japan to be held in 2025, byrelated ministries andideal way of efforts based on
implementing projects that also
agencies, efforts are
the basic policy, etc. [Expo,
contribute to smart cities based on the
being considered based
STI, relevant ministries andBasic Policy on the Promotion of
on the basic policy,
agencies]
Preparation and Implementation
etc.
Measures for World Expo 2025
(Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai)and will
actively promote Society 5.0, which
embodies "Designing Future Society86Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Implementation status
and analysis of current
situation

Future action policy

for Our Lives." [Expo, STI,
relevantministries and agencies]④ Development of next-generation human resources for sustainable activities
Specific measures under the Basic Plan
Implementation status
Future action policy
and analysis of current
situation○The basic knowledge and specialized
・A Smart City・ Seminars on smart city
knowledge necessary for the
Guidebook has been
guidebooks will be held torealization of smart cities will be
prepared to serve as araise public awareness andcollected. By the end of FY2021, thereference for local
interest in smart cities. [STI]
requirements for human resources
governments and・We will form a forum for coengaged in planning, construction,
regional organizations,creation for industryand operation will be sorted out, andand measures related
academia-government
a human resources development
to smart cities havecollaboration centered on
system will be established inbeen clarified.
universities. [MEXT]
・In addition to efforts
accordance with their roles and・In FY2021, the government
related to thelevels. Based on this, information on
will form a platform for coformation of smart
human resources will be provided tocreation for industrycities under the COI
reduce anxiety and distrust inacademia-government
Program, thetechnology. At the same time, a placecollaboration that contributes
government will
for joint creation of industryto the resolution of regional
promote the formation
academia-government collaboration
issues, centering on local
of a platform for cocentered on universities will beuniversities. [MEXT]
creation underformed. [STI, MEXT]
Program on open
innovation platform
for industry academia
co-creation（COINEXT）(18 hubs),
which will contributeto fostering humanresources, the nextgeneration leaders insmart cities.
○By the end of FY2021, the government ・As one of the criteria
・By the end of FY2021, thewill gather information on leading
for the designation of
government will consider
personnel (architects) who can
Super City Zones, we
programs to deepen ties withcoordinate the overall design of smart
defined the existence
smart city, super city
cities, and support their development,of an architect who
architects in various regions,deployment, and activities in local
plans the entire Super
support activities, and develop
communities. [STI]City Initiative.
leading human resources.
・Private organizations
Furthermore, we areand universities beganconsidering the registration of
to consider programs
human resources. [STI]to develop smart city
architects.

87

(6)Promoting R&D and social implementation to resolve various social issues and utilizing
convergence of knowledge[Ideal vision and direction toward its realization]
While utilizing the convergence of knowledge, which is a fusion of the humanities, social sciences andnatural sciences, and in collaboration with countries, regions, and international organizations (EU, G7,
OECD, etc.) that share values with Japan, the government will engage in R&D and the social
implementation of the results thereof, with a view to solving global social issues such as climate change
and domestic issues such as a social security system that can respond to the declining birthrate, aging
population, and economic and social changes. By doing so, we aim to create a society in which structuralchanges in the economy and society can be achieved, and in which the creation of future industries andeconomic growth are compatible with the resolution of social issues.
In order to solve a wide range of complex social issues, it is necessary to promote the improvement ofvarious social systems and response to ELSI from the initial stage of research and development bysocially implementing diverse and outstanding research results that open up the frontier of knowledge insocial implementation and linking them to innovation. To this end, the government will formulate
strategies at the national government, ministry and agency, and implementing agency levels in asystematic and consistent manner based on evidence, promote mission oriented R&D programs andinstitutional reforms, and develop a system that can flexibly review strategies as needed.
In addition, the publicand private sectors will thoroughly promote the strategic and international
application of standards as an important means of accelerating the social implementation of cutting-edge
technologies to resolve social issues, promoting overseas expansion by Japanese companies underinternational competition, and acquiring international markets. To this end, in addition to thedevelopment of a public-private system, the government will reform the public and private awareness ofsocial implementation of science, technology, and innovation and related research and development by
utilizing public-private projects, so that strategic and international application of standards will be built
in and deployed widely in government policies and corporate management strategies.
Furthermore, from the perspective of international responsibility and comprehensive security, we willdevelop science and technology diplomacy such as by strategically building an international networkwith countries and regions that share Japan’s issues and values. In this way, Society 5.0 will betransmitted to the world while incorporating and developing the knowledge and diversity of the world,
and that common understanding and Japan’s international competitiveness will be maintained andstrengthened. Japan will continue to produce researchers from our country who can play a key role ininternational research activities. Japan will demonstrate its presence as a country with advanced scienceand technology to the research community in Japan and overseas, attract talented people from various
backgrounds in Japan and overseas to our country, and support the autonomous securing of soundness
and fairness of research (research integrity) in harmony with other countries.
[Target]・ In addition to promoting research and development aimed at resolving social issues in Japan, suchas the declining birthrate and aging population, urban and local issues, and resource issues such as
88

food, Japan will contribute to the world as a leading country in the field of problem solving, andimprove the well-being of each and every individual.

[Key Targets in Science, Technology, and Innovation Policies] (Key Indicators)
・ Promoting the resolution of social issues: build in a mechanism to promote the participation ofresearchers and research institutions with expertise in the humanities and social sciences in all issuesof the next SIP and an implementation system to effectively utilize the convergence of knowledge,
and promote the social implementation of results
・ Strategic construction of an international cooperation network in science and technology tomaximize national interests: strategically promote science and technology diplomacy, and steadily
increase the number of international cooperation arrangements and the number of international joint
papers in the Top 1% highly-cited papers in advanced key fields.
・ Japan's presence in the formation of international agreements, frameworks and rules: while
increasing Japan's involvement in the development of guidelines in international organizations, wewill steadily advance efforts related to the international and strategic use of intellectual property andstandards (including the number of initiatives and support for the formation and use of international
standards) aimed at resolving social issues and gain international markets.
[Current data] (Reference index)

・ R&D expenditure in strategic fields (AI, biotechnology, quantum technology, materials, etc.): (Efforts
will be made to measure from FY2021 results)
・ Ranking among the top 100 global companies by market capitalization: 47 in the U.S., 24 in China,
and 3 in Japan・ IMD World Competitiveness Ranking: 34th out of 63 countries (2020)
・ State of implementation of innovation in government projects
・ Ratio of research and development issues utilizing the convergence of knowledge (Efforts will be madeto measure from FY2021 results)
・ Indicators related to social issues, such as the rate of food self-sufficiency and amount of exports, theamount of food loss, the diffusion rate of autonomous vehicles, and the number of traffic accidents
・ Research papers, intellectual property, and standardization by issue and field・ Published metadata of publicly funded research data included in the Research Data Infrastructure
System (by organization, program, etc.)
・ Public opinion survey on science and technology① Formulation and promotion of national strategies based on a vision of future society andevidence utilizing the convergence of knowledge
Specific measures under the BasicPlan○In relation to the convergence ofknowledge which contributes tocomprehensive understanding
and problem solving of humans
and society through the fusion of

Implementation status andFuture action policy
analysis of current situation
・The NISTEP survey 2020・The basic concept of the(published in April 2021)
convergence of knowledge
investigated the state ofthat contributes to social
cooperation between naturalchange and strategicsciences and thepromotion measures will be
89Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situation
knowledge in the humanities andhumanities/social sciences.
studied. [STI]social sciences and knowledge in・ After a pilot study of thethe natural sciences, the basic
indicators, relevant data willconcept and strategic promotion
be collected. [STI]measures will be compiled by the・In the NISTEP TEITEN
end of FY2021. In addition,
survey, in which the questions
indicators related to thewill be newly designed withhumanities and social sciencesreference to the Sixth Basicand the convergence ofPlan, questions on theknowledge will be examined byconvergence of knowledge
the end of FY2022, andwill be added and themonitoring will be carried out
situation continuously
from FY2023. [STI, MEXT.]
investigated. [STI, MEXT]○The government will steadily
・In the first phase of SIP,
・In the next SIP, we will build
promote R&D based on theJapan realized the social
an effective collaborative
national strategy 122 in fields that
implementation of outcomessystem between industry,should be promoted acrossthat contribute to resolving
academia, and government toministries and agencies, such as
Japan’s social issues andaddress issues that are
AI, biotechnology, quantum
strengthening industrial
important to the Japanesetechnology, materials, space,competitiveness, in areas
economy and industrial
ocean, environmental energy123,
such as disaster preventioncompetitiveness and that
health and medical care, food,and mitigation, longevity of
involve multiple ministries,
agriculture, forestry andinfrastructure, autmatedand we will promote
fisheries, etc. In addition, thedriving, and promotion ofcomprehensive research andgovernment will review existingnext-generation agriculture.
development, including
strategies and formulate new・In SIP Phase 2, we are
institutional reforms, toward
strategies based on evidence,
working on 12 issues tothe realization of social
while looking at the image of theresolve Japan's social issues
implementation while
future society that Japan should
and to strengthen industrial
utilizing the convergence ofrealize, and will concretely
competitiveness, including
knowledge. [STI]
include clear targets, division of
optical quantum technology
roles among industry, academia,
and an advanced diagnosis
and government, and ideal ways
and treatment system basedof international cooperation. In
on AI hospitals, andparticular, the government will
promoting R&D with thepromote themes that are crossaim of achieving social
sectoral and directly linked to theimplementation.
resolution of social issues as
issues for the next SIP. [Health,
STI, Space, Ocean, relevant
ministries and agencies]○With regard to the formulation of ・In addition to visualizing
・After initiating an expert
evidence-based strategies,
the relationship between
judgment starting with anquantitative analysis of papers,
research and development
overall overview and two
research funds, etc. and expert
investment and the status of
specific fields, we will expand
knowledge (expert judges) will
the number of papers in
the work to cover multiple
be used to extract and analyzeeach field, we are
fields (about ten fields),
important science andconstructing a Science Map
extract and analyze important
technology areas, while utilizingthat can analyze thescience and technology areas,
the results of analyses by e-CSTI
relationship with funding
and reviewing strategies forand policy research institutes,
data and a Science Map thateach field. [STI, related
etc. These will be used for the
can analyze the relationshipministries and agencies]
formulation of Integrated
with patent data after taking ・In order to ensure the122

Chapter 3.2. Reference

123

Chapter 2, 1. (2) Reference
90Specific measures under the Basic
Plan
Strategies, the review of sectoral
strategies, etc. and theformulation of new national
strategies, etc. In the FY2021
Integrated Strategy, analysis will
be used on a trial basis, andfuture utilization methods will be
determined based on the results.
[STI, relevant ministries andagencies]○When embodying the vision of afuture society and formulating
and promoting policies, it isnecessary to utilize theconvergence of knowledge basedon the fusion of the humanities,
social sciences, and naturalsciences. Instead of deciding ona single direction, it is necessary
to have options for double-line
scenarios and new technologies
and advance while continuously
conducting verification.
Researchers and research
institutions with knowledge inthe humanities and social
sciences will participate from theexamination and formulation
stages of science, technology,
and innovation policies,
including the system design of
public research projects, to theverification. In addition, eachresearch and development
agency will position in thetargets that the convergence ofknowledge will be actively
utilized in the revision of themedium- and long-term
objectives, taking into accountthe respective missions andcharacteristics. [STI, relevant
ministries and agencies]○With regard to semiconductors,
which are a strategic basic
technology that supports thedigital society, in order to
respond to economic security,
promote the digital revolution,and reduce power consumption,
the government will formulate
strategies and promote various
domestic and international
measures to strengthen thefoundation of Japan's
semiconductor industry. [METI]

Implementation status andanalysis of current situationin data on Japanese papers.

Future action policy

effective and efficient
allocation of competitive
research funds among various
projects and to lead to thereview of projects, theCabinet Office and otherorganizations will use e-CSTI
and other means to analyze
competitive research funds
and other inputs and outputs
for each project. [STI]
・To promote the examination ・Relevant ministries andof strategic promotion
agencies will work together tomeasures of the
discuss the design of systems
convergence of knowledge
for public research projects
including the system design
and the revision of mediumof public research projects
and long-term targets forwill be the challenge going
research and development
forward.
agencies. [STI , relevant
・In revising the medium- andministries and agencies]
long-term objectives of each ・With regard to national andresearch and development
local technologicalagency, it is necessary toinnovations and social change
establish cooperativein countries and regions for
relationships with theclimate change
relevant ministries andcountermeasures, etc., theagencies so that the
government will promote
convergence of knowledge
R&D and social
will be actively utilized andimplementation thereof toincluded in the objectives.
generate knowledge on thepath backcasted from thevision of future society.
[MEXT]

・The Semiconductor and・Based on the Semiconductor
Digital Industry Strategy
and Digital Industry Strategy
Review Conference was
Review Conference, theestablished with theStrategy for Semiconductors
participation of corporate
and the Digital Industry has
parties in the semiconductor
been compiled and various
and digital industries,
measures, including
experts, and relevantinternational cooperation, will
ministry and agencies, withbe implemented to strengthen
the aim of enhancing thethe foundations of Japan's
competitiveness of thesemiconductor industry.
semiconductor and digital[METI]
industries, which are closely91Specific measures under the Basic
Plan○With regard to the robots that willtake on the role of connecting
cyberspace and physical space in
the Society 5.0 era, based on thePlan for Promoting Social
Change Taking Advantage of
Robots 124, industry, government,
and academia will cooperate topromote efforts for building arobot-friendly environment thatmakes implementation easy,building a human resources
development framework,building a R&D system that
responds to mid- to long-term
issues, and open innovation that
accelerates social
implementation. [MIC, MEXT,
MAFF, MHLW, METI, MLIT]○In order to develop an
124

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation
related to all social andeconomic activities, byaccurately grasping thechanges of the times.
・At the meeting, participants
shared information on
environmental changes inthe semiconductor anddigital industries, andexchanged views on the
direction of industrial
policies to achievesustainable economic andsocial growth.
・Research and development
is being conducted in theareas of facility
management, retail, andfood production to
introduce robots into areas
where labor shortages are
significant in order to build
a robot-friendly
environment.
・The Consortium of Human
Education for Future Robot
System Integration wasestablished in June 2020
with the participation ofrobot manufacturers,
educational institutions, andhuman resources
development organizations.
Lecturers from the industry
are dispatched to technicalcolleges, etc. andimplementation of training
is being implemented forteachers, etc.
・Basic and applied researchis being conducted throughindustry-academia
collaboration to establish
elemental technologies forthe realization of nextgeneration industrial robots
from a medium- to longterm perspective.
・A manual was published forthe delivery of 3D
deliverables using robot
inspection support
technology for public works
projects.
・A draftof the next Basic

Future action policy・In order to build a robotfriendly environment, we will
advance R&D in areas such as
facility management, retail,and food manufacturing. We
will also promote thedevelopment of user-oriented
robots and the standardizationand standardization of data
linkage, communications, andfacility design. [MAFF,
METI]・The Consortium of Human
Education for Future Robot
System Integration will
support the development ofpractical training andeducational curricula forteachers and students.
[MEXT, MHLW, METI]・ In order to realize nextgeneration industrial robots
from a medium- to long-term
perspective, we will conduct
basic and applied research thatrevisits the field of science,
includingincorporating
technology
seeds
from
different fields. [METI]・An industry-academiagovernment conference isheld to prepare a road map forthe introduction of robots into
the infrastructure field.
[MLIT]

・By the end of FY2021, theReport by the Council for Promoting Social Change Taking Advantage of Robots (July 2019)92

Specific measures under the Basic
Plan
environment where industry,
academia, and the public andprivate sectors can jointly use
high-precision and high-value
geospatial information, and torealize a G-space society inwhich these are highly utilized,
the next Basic Plan for the
Advancement of Utilizing
Geospatial Information will be
formulated by the end of
FY2021. [G-Space]

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation
Plan for the Advancementof Utilizing Geospatial
Information is being
adjusted decided at theCommittee for Advancing
the Utilizationof Geospatial Information to
be held in the summer of2021.

Future action policy
government will formulate thenext Basic Plan for the
Advancement of Utilizing
Geospatial Information,
develop an environment inwhich geospatial information
with high accuracy and highutility value can be used, andrealize a G-space society thatmakes advanced use of thisinformation. [G-Space]② Promotion of mission oriented research and development for solving social issues
Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situation○With regard to social issues such・We began studying the ideal ・In the next SIP, we will build
as infectious disease
form of the next SIP.
an effective collaborative
countermeasures, low birth rate
・In the first phase of the SIP,
system between industry,
and aging population, global
Japan realized the social
academia, and government toenvironmental problems, disaster
implementation of outcomes
address issues that areprevention, regionalthat contribute to resolving
important to the Japaneserevitalization, reduction of foodJapan’s social issues andeconomy and industrial
waste, resources, and energy thatstrengthening industrial
competitiveness and thatJapan and the rest of the worldcompetitiveness, in areas
involve multiple ministries,
are facing, the government willsuch as disaster prevention
and we will promotetake into account the needs ofand mitigation, longevity ofcomprehensive research andJapan and overseas, and based on
infrastructure, autmateddevelopment, including
the analysis of various data thatdriving, and promotion of
institutional reforms, toward
are continuously observed andnext-generation agriculture.
the realization of social
collected, the government will・In the SIP Phase 2, we are
implementation while
establish a specific mission to
working on 12 issues toutilizing the convergence ofresolve the issues with theresolve Japan's social issues
knowledge. [STI]
participation of various sectors
and to strengthen industrial
including citizens, and willcompetitiveness, including
promote R&D in various
optical quantum technology
frameworks including the next
and an advanced diagnosis
SIP. [STI, relevant ministries andand treatment system based
agencies]
on AI hospitals, andpromoting R&D with theaim of achieving a social
implementation.
○With regard to the Moonshot
・For the Moonshot Research ・Research and development will
Research and Development
and Development Program,be drastically strengthened for
Program established in 2018, theproject managers havethe achievement of Moonshot
government will take advantage
been selected for all ofGoals under the promotionof the knowledge acquired
Moonshot Goals, and wesystem in which the related
through Funding Program forwill promote R&D toministries and agencies work
World-Leading Innovative R&D
achieve our targets for
together. [Healthcare, AMED,
on Science and Technology
2040 and 2050.
STI, MEXT, MHLW, MAFF,(FIRST) and the Impulsing
・In January 2021, a new
METI]
Paradigm Change throughgoal team centered on
・In order to respond to thedisruptive Technologies
young players was decided,changes in the socioeconomic(Impact), which the government
and new goals set aroundsituation caused by COVIDhas been engaged in until now.
autumn this year.
19, new targets will be set in93Specific measures under the BasicPlan
The program aims to attract
people by setting ambitious goals
and concepts for social issues
that are difficult to achieve but
are expected to have a major
impact. Under the direction of
top researchers who lead thecutting-edge research, thegovernment gather theknowledge of researchers fromaround the world and steadily
engage in R&D to achieve thesegoals. The government will also
actively promote challenging
R&D to draw out basic researchcapabilities to the maximum
extent, and will seek to discoverand develop innovative research
results while allowing for failure.
Furthermore, the government
will also renew the management
methods to a form that enables
flexible review of the programand contents by looking at thewhole relevant R&D while
always keeping in mind the
evolving world R&D trends. The
government will also thoroughly
implement an open and closed
strategy with a view tocommercialization in the future.
This new research method willrealize disruptive innovation. If
necessary, the government will
also enhance efforts by setting
new goals.
[Health, STI,
MEXT, MHLW, MAFF, METI]

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation○In order to solve social problems
・In April 2021, Japanin Japan and the world and create
Science & Technology
new value through science,
Agency began inviting
technology, and innovation, fromapplications for the
FY2021, the government will
Responsible Innovation
94

Future action policy
the fall of 2021, incorporating
the ideas of young researchersand other countries, andresearch and development will
begin in the spring of 2022.
[STI, MEXT]
・We will strengthen outreachand public relations activities
for research results to promote
understanding among citizens
at all levels and promotesocial implementation areas.
[Healthcare, AMED, STI,
MEXT, MHLW, MAFF,
METI]
・We will strengtheninternational collaboration
with European countries, theUnited States, and othercountries (in fields in whichsuch countries have interest,
such as the environment,
agriculture, AI/robots,quantum technology, andhealthcare) and promoteinternational joint research.
[Healthcare, AMED, STI,
MEXT, MHLW, MAFF,
METI]
・We will promote research anddevelopment based on ELSI
for the smooth social
implementation of research
results by the time the goals
are achieved, and promote
cross-sectional support foreffective research anddevelopment through the useof mathematical scientificmethods. [Healthcare, AMED,
STI, MEXT, MHLW, MAFF,
METI]
・We will vigorously promote
projects in priority areas (suchas the realization of a carbonneutral society) and areas that
require stronger international
cooperation (environment,
agriculture, AI/robotics,
quantum, healthcare, etc.).
[STI, relevant ministries andagencies]
・We will contribute to solvingsocial problems in Japan and theworld by strengthening related
funding. [MEXT]
・Along with the steadySpecific measures under the Basic
Planstrengthen funding for R&D
targeting issues that require
responses using the convergenceof knowledge through the fusionof humanities, social sciences,and natural sciences, such as
citizen participation in ELSI
responses from the initial stageof R&D. [MEXT]○A new corporation shall beestablished under the
responsibility of the national
government with regard to theInternational Education andResearch Center, which will playa central role in research anddevelopment and humanresource development
indispensable for the creative
reconstruction of Fukushima.
The existing facilities shall be
reorganized, the organizational
form shall be on the national
research and development
agencies, and the basic conceptof the new center shall be
formulated in FY2021.
[Reconstruction, relevant
ministries and agencies]

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation
with Conscience andAgility (RInCA) programon ethical, legal, and social
issues (ELSI) in scienceand technology (second
fiscal year) and acollaborative R&D
program to achieve theSDGs (SOLVE for SDGs)(third fiscal year). After theselection process, R&D isscheduled to begin around
October. In May 2021,
open recruitement for a
new slot for SOLVE for
SDGs, Preventing Social
Isolation & Loneliness andCreating Diversified Social
Networks, was launched.
After the selection process,research and development
is scheduled to begin inearly November.
・Based on the Developmentof an International
Education and ResearchCenter (decided by the
Reconstruction Promotion
Council on December 18,2020), a meeting of relevant
ministries and agencies washeld to discuss theorganizational form of theinternational education andresearch center.

Future action policy
implementation of publiclyinvited programs, we will
examine measures to improve
related funding, including thefurther utilization of theconvergence of knowledge.

・Discussions will be held at a
meeting of relevant ministries
and agencies, and the form of
the new entity will be decided
by autumn 2021, and the basic
concept for the new base will
be formulated in FY2021.
[Reconstruction, relevant
ministries and agencies]③ Social implementation of advanced science and technology for solving social problems
Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situation○With regard to issues that are
・In the first phase of SIP,
・The government will promote
important for Japan's economic
social implementation,
comprehensive research andand industrial competitiveness
which has achieved R&D
development, including
and are related to multiple
results such as SIP4D,
institutional reform, toward
ministries and agencies, a largeforging simulator, dynamic
the realization of social
scale industry-academiamap, and road surface
implementation by building agovernment collaboration system
condition grasping systemlarge-scale collaboration
will continue to be established,by smartphone, weresystem between industry,95

Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situationand comprehensive R&D will be
realized. In SIP Phase 2 asacademia, and government,
promoted, including institutionalwell, our country is tacklingand utilizing the convergencereforms, to realize social
12 issues to resolve socialof knowledge. [STI]
implementation while utilizing
issues that Japan faces and to ・In order to improve thethe convergence of knowledge.
strengthen industrial
feasibility of solving social
For this purpose, the ideal statecompetitiveness, including
issues, the next SIP willof national projects such as theauotmated driving, opticalrequire that mechanisms tonext SIP and how to deploy SIPquantum technology,
promote the participation oftype management in projects bystrengthening national
researchers and researchother ministries and agencies
resilience, and advanced
institutions with expertise inwill be examined in 2021, anddiagnosis and treatment
the humanities and social
will be reflected in futuresystems through AI
sciences and implementation
projects. Some issues such as
hospitals, while conducting
systems to effectively utilize
self-driving in the second phase
R&D aimed at achieving
the convergence of knowledgeof SIP have already been studiedsocial implementation.
be incorporated into all issues,in the field of humanities and・In order to enhance the SIP
and its activities will besocial sciences, and such efforts
system, a mid-term
evaluated. [STI]
will be developed in FY2021
evaluation of the system
・For the next SIP, in order toonwards. In addition, in order towas conducted in FY2020
ensure more effective andimprove the feasibility of solving
based on the operation
efficient operation,social issues, the next SIP will
guidelines, andverification will be conducted
require the incorporation of arecommendations wereon the operation of the second
mechanism to promote themade for clarifying thephase, including the final
participation of researchers anddefinition of social
evaluation and other matters,
research institutes with expertise
implementation andincluding how the public andin humanities and social sciences
ensuring a sufficient periodprivate sectors should bear theand an implementation system tofor formulating a researchburden. [STI]effectively utilize theand development plan. On ・In SIP Phase 2, research in theconvergence of knowledge in all
the other hand, accelerating
humanities and social sciences
issues, and its activities will besocial reform by utilizing
will be strengthened from
evaluated. [STI]
the results of advanced
FY2021 onwards. [STI]
research and development
has become an issue.
・With the participation andknowledge of researchers in
the humanities and social
sciences, we are making
efforts toward the practicalapplication of autmateddriving with regard toeffective educational
methods for the safe use of
autmated vehicles, effective
information transmission
methods and effectmeasurement methods forthe purpose of fostering
public acceptance, andmethods for estimating thesocial and economic impactof autmated driving andautonomous driving..
○Candidates for the next SIP will・Explanations were given to ・The government will consider
be examined toward the end of
CSTI regarding thethe candidates for the next SIP
2021 in order to strengthen theschedule for examining theissue by the end of 2021
control function of CSTI.
next SIP issue candidates. In
based on the Sixth Basic Plan,
Specifically, CSTI will identify
May, we asked relevant
the Integrated Innovation96

Specific measures under the Basic
Plansocial issues to be addressed in
the medium term based on the
Sixth Basic Plan, the Integration
Strategy, and various sectoral
strategies formulated by the
Integrated Innovation Strategy
Promotion Council . Amongthese social issues, research andexamination will be conducted
on technology development
themes to be addressed acrossministries and agencies utilizing
the convergence of knowledge.
[STI]○For the respective issues of thesecond phase of SIP, thegovernment will advance R&D
including on building a system
for social implementation
towards the social
implementation of the outcomesas well as conduct follow-up
investigation and follow-up
evaluation after the end of the
project and confirm therealization status of the social
implementation of the outcomes.
[STI]○With regard to Public/Private
R&D Investment Strategic
Expansion PrograM (PRISM),
CSTI will continue to promote
the expansion of public andprivate R&D investment and theimplementation of PRISM insociety by guiding the measuresof each ministry and agency andaccelerating projects based on
the integration strategy andvarious strategies for each field
formulated by the Integrated
Innovation Strategy Promotion
Council. [STI]○In each project implemented by
the national government, thegovernment will continue toactively introduce advanced
technologies, encourage the useof advanced technologies in the

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation
ministries and industries topropose candidates for the
next SIP task.

Future action policy

Strategy, and various sectoral
strategies formulated by the
Integrated Innovation Strategy
Promotion Council, We will
identify social issues that
CSTI needs to address in themedium term, and conduct
surveys and studies ontechnology development
themes within these social
issues that need to beaddressed across ministries
and agencies, utilizing theconvergence of knowledge.
[STI]・With regard to the SIP・With regard to the SIP Phase
Phase 2 issues, we will
2 issues, we will promote
promote R&D, including
R&D, including the building
the building of a frameworkof a framework for social
for the social
implementation, for the social
implementation of theimplementation of the projectproject results.
results, and conduct follow-up
・Follow-up surveys weresurveys and follow-up
conducted in order toevaluations after theunderstand the status ofcompletion of the projects toresearch results of SIP
confirm the achievement ofPhase 1 in socialsocial implementation. [STI]
implementation and thestatus of efforts by SIP
Phase 1 participating
agencies after thecompletion of SIP.
・In PRISM, each budget
・With regard to PRISM, based
allocation project ison the Integrated Innovation
followed up on the progress
Strategy and the sectoralof the projects and its
strategies formulated by the
positioning toward theIntegrated Innovation Strategy
realization of various
Promotion Council, CSTI will
strategies, and the results ofguide the policies of thethe project are evaluatedministries and agencies,
every year.
accelerate projects, and・In addition to verifying thecontinue to promote theeffects every year, follow-up
expansion of research andevaluations are conducted
development investment andafter the end of the projects.
the promotion of social
・In addition, the PRISM
implementation in both the
Review Board evaluates the
public and private sectors.
results of projects requiring[STI]
continuous budget
allocations over multiple
fiscal years.
・Efforts were made to・With the cooperation of theinnovate government
Cabinet Office and otherprojects in FY2020, such as
ministries and agencies, we
encouraging innovation inwill continue to gather andprojects by ministries andanalyze information on
agencies.
innovation and promote the97Specific measures under the Basic
Planreal world, implement projects
more efficiently and effectively,
and promote social change. [STI,
all ministries and agencies]

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation
・Information on the
promotion of innovation in
Official Development
Assistance (ODA) wascollected and analyzed.

Future action policysocial implementation of
cutting-edge technologies
both in Japan and overseas.
[STI, all ministries]
・We will further promote ofefforts for innovation ingovernment projects andcooperation with CSTI. [Allministries]④ Promoting the resolution of social issues and acquistion of international markets through theinternational and strategic use of intellectual property and standards
Specific measures under the BasicPlan○In order to grasp the trends in theuse of intellectual property andstandards in foreign countries
and to promote the strategic andinternational use of standards inJapan, the government as awhole will develop a control
tower function and system, andstrengthen and acceleratemeasures for the use ofstandards, including international
standardization. From FY2021,
the government will promote thestrategic and international use ofstandards, including theappropriate use of forum
standards, de facto standards,
and de jure standards, throughresearch and development
projects, in important fields suchas solving social issues andacquiring international markets.
[SIPSH, STI, MIC, METI,
relevant ministries and agencies]○With regard to the strategic andinternational application ofstandards, from FY2020, thegovernment will establish apublic-private partnershipsystem, promote public-privateawareness reform, broad-basedenhancement of activities in theindustrial sector, andenhancement of humanresources, and develop an
environment that promotes
changes in corporate behavior
related to the application ofstandards through cooperation
with government research andImplementation status andFuture action policy
analysis of current situation
・The Task Force for the・A special team under the Task
Promotion of Standards
Force for the Promotion of the
Utilization was establishedUtilization of Standards will
under the Integrated
play a central role inInnovation Strategy
promoting support for
Promotion Council toaccelerating the development
promote standardsof standards and technicalutilization across ministries
demonstrations in areas thatand agencies.
should be prioritized across・We are implementing theministries and agencies, asnecessary systems towell as support for activities
support the acceleration ofnecessary for the formation ofimportant measures by eachinternational standards, such
ministry and agency.
as research and analysis and・We have selected smart
dispatching experts. At thecities, Beyond 5G, green
same time, consideration will
growth (hydrogen andbe given to the addition ofammonia fuel), smart
international commerce andagriculture and smart foodlogistics in these areas.
chains as areas where the[SIPSH, STI, MIC, MAFF,
strategic use of standards
METI, MLIT, relevant
should be prioritized acrossministries and agencies]
ministries and agencies.
・We are coordinating with・ We will establish a publicthe private sector and otherprivate partnership system andrelated parties for thehold meetings to serve as thedevelopment of a publicbody for promoting publicprivate partnership system.
privatepartnerships.
In・With the National Institutepromoting the use of standardsof Advanced Industrial
as a management strategy, the
Science and Technology as
government will promote thethe contact point for thereform of corporate awarenesssupport platform, a support
and the strengthening ofsystem has been establishedhuman resources through thein which the Informationsharing of success and failure
technology Promotion
cases. [SIPSH]
Agency, the National
・As support for standard
Institute of Information andstrategic activities in theCommunicationsprivate sector through the98

Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situation
development projects,
Technology, and the Japansupport platform, theregulations, and systems. In
Standards Association
provision of a test bed for
addition, the government will
participate.
demonstration purposes andestablish a platform system that
dispatch of experts will begin.
supports practical activities by[SIPSH, STI, METI, andprivate companies in cooperation
relevant ministries andwith governmental organizations.
agencies and Agencies][SIPSH, STI, MIC,METI,
relevant ministries and agencies]○The government will promote the ・The Industrial Structure
・A new Intellectual
development and platform ofCouncil discussed the draft
Infrastructure Development
intellectual infrastructure, etc.,of the Third IntellectualPlan will be established towhich will be the source ofInfrastructure Development
support a wide range ofJapan's high-quality
Plan and issued publicsocioeconomic activities inmanufacturing and services bycomments.
peoples’ lives and those aimed
FY2025, and broadly support
・The Second Intellectual
at resolving social issues.
socio-economic activities aimed
Infrastructure Development[METI]
at solving the people's lives andPlan was reviewed to・After the formulation of thesocial issues.. [METI]
confirm achievement of theThird Intellectual
targets.
Infrastructure Development
Plan, the development ofintellectual infrastructure will
be implemented toward theinterim follow-up in FY2025.
[METI]⑤ Strategic promotion of science and technology diplomacy
Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andPlananalysis of current situation○The government will promote
・Japan held joint committees
the strategic development ofwith the United States, Finland,science and technology
and India, respectively, based
diplomacy through theon science and technology
promotion of strategic bilateral
cooperation agreements, andand multilateral win-win
discussed the promotion ofcooperation and collaborationcooperation in the fields ofin important cutting-edge
science and technology,
fields, the fundamental
including key cutting-edge
strengthening of support forfields.
international industry-academia ・At bilateral joint committees on
joint research with a view toscience and technology
implementing the results incooperation and other fora,
society, and the international
quantum technology isdevelopment of the STI for
discuessed and international
SDGs activities. [STI, MOFA,
research and development
MEXT]
cooperation promoted. Aninternational workshop is
scheduled to be held by thequantum technology innovation
hubs within FY2021. In
addition, the Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology(MEXT) and the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE)
99

Future action policy
・We will steadily advancethe Strategic andInternational Joint
Research Program(SICORP), including
cooperation in strategic
fields with countries thatshare common values andefforts for international
industry-academia
collaboration. [MEXT]
・We will discuss andimplement concrete
policies on how to utilize
Japan's strengths in scienceand technology in foreign
policy, while utilizing theAdvisory Board for the
Promotion of Science andTechnology Diplomacy,
with the cooperation of
relevant ministries andagencies. [MOFA, relevant
ministries and agencies]
・We will strengthen JapanU.S. cooperation inSpecific measures under the Basic
Plan

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation
are scheduled to conclude a
project arrangement regarding
quantum information science.
・Eight "quantum technology
innovation hubs were launched
in Japan (February 2021). By
positioning RIKEN as the coreorganization and undertaking
cross-site activities, therelevant organizations will
gather all their strength toadvance a wide range ofactivities from basic research totechnology validation andfostering human resources, andwill also develop them forinternational collaboration.
・We will promote international
research collaboration in fields
related to the Moonshot
Research and Development
Program.
・With regard to the STI for
SDGs, Japan began to support
the formulation of a road map
for the STI for SDGs in Kenya,with contributions to the World
Bank. In addition, throughcontributions to the United
Nations Development
Programme, we launched a
project to utilize Japan's STI
knowledge in social issues
related to the SDGs in India,
Turkey, the Philippines,
Vietnam, and Malawi. In
addition, a pilot project in
Kenya is ongoing to examine aplatform for the international
expansion of STI.
・The Advisory Board for
Promoting Science andTechnology Diplomacy, which
was established under the
Science and Technology
Advisor to the Minister for
Foreign Affairs to collectspecialized knowledge invarious fields of science andtechnology and utilize it for theplanning and drafting of
foreign policy, discussed ways
to promote science andtechnology diplomacy in Japan.
・Under the Strategic
International Collaborative
Research Program (SICORP),
100

Future action policy
important fields such as
quantum technology, AI,
space exploration, andenvironmental energy.
[STI, Space, MOFA,
MEXT, relevant ministries
and agencies]
・In important fields such as
quantum technology,
environmental energy, andsustainable agriculture, wewill acceleratecollaboration between our
research hubs in bothcountries, while making
strategic use of programs
such as the Strategic andInternational Collaborative
Research Program(SICORP) and theMoonshot Research andDevelopment Program.
[STI, MEXT, MAFF, andrelevant ministries andagencies]
・We will promotecollaboration between the
EU’s Horizon Europe
mission program and theMoonshot Research andDevelopment Program.
[STI, MEXT, MAFF,
METI]
・Through its contribution to
the World Bank, Japan willdevelop a roadmap for the
STI for SDGs in Kenya incooperation with India.
Through its contribution to
the United Nations
Development Programme,Japan will consider
solutions to local social
issues in India and othercountries, utilizing Japan's
STI. [STI]・Based on the survey andresearch on the platform
for matching needs andbusiness creation withseeds for problem solving,
we will secure cases that
contribute to the study ofbusiness models anddiplomacy. [STI]・As for the Science andTechnology Research

Specific measures under the BasicPlan○In light of the situation in which
concerns such as conflicts ofinterest and commitment, andleakage of scientific andtechnological information are
becoming more and more
apparent as research activities
become more international andopen, the government willconsider its response policy
while paying attention to thedifference between basic
research and applied
development, while also taking
into account the importance ofinternational joint research, anddevelop necessary guidelines
such as guidelines for public
invitation of competitive
research funds and cooperation
with foreign companies in
2021. In order to support
independent assurance of thesoundness and fairness of
research activities (research
integrity) that should be held byresearchers, the government
will establish the direction of
its response in early 2021 incooperation with researchcommunities in Japan andoverseas. These guidelines will
be reviewed as necessary inlight of the status of efforts byeach research institute, researchfunding agency, etc. (Restated)[STI, MEXT, METI,

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation
in FY2020, the government
will promote international
collaborative research with
developed and developing
countries, including the launchof public applications forresearch on COVID-19 in nonmedical fields. The Science andTechnology ResearchPartnership for Sustainable
Development (SATREPS)
program promotes international
collaborative research in thefields of environment andenergy, bio resources, disasterprevention and mitigation, andinfectious diseases control
through collaboration between
ODA and Japan's outstanding
science and technology.
・As part of the research projects
commissioned by the Cabinet
Office, the Research Integrity
Investigation Committee washeld to identify research
integrity that should be secured
by Japanese researchers andresearch organizations, etc. andthe state of efforts to achieve it,through research and analysisof trends in Japan and overseas,interviews with experts, anddiscussions at the Investigation
Committee, etc., in light of thegrowing concerns about
conflicts of interest andcommitment and the leakage ofscience and technology
information, etc., with theinternationalization andopenness of research activities.

101

Future action policy
Partnership for Sustainable
Development (SATREPS)
program, Japan will
strategically implement
cooperation with emerging
and developing countries
based on its achievements
to date, and clarifying theachievement of the SDGs
and targets for social
implementation. [MOFA,
MEXT]・Based on the Policy on
Measures to Ensure
Research Integrity decided
by the Integrated
Innovation Strategy
Promotion Council, theCabinet Office and eachministry will steadily
promote initiatives which
will be disseminated andcoummunicated,
universities, research
institutes, etc. In addition,common guidelines forcompetitive research funds
projects will be revised as
early as possible in 2021.
[STI, MEXT, METI,
relevant ministries andagencies]

Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situation
relevant ministries andagencies]○In order to play a leading role
・The Liaison Conference of・Utilizing the Liaison
while Japan is actively involved
Relevant Ministries andConference of Relevantin the formation of international
Agencies for Strategic Efforts
Ministries and Agencies
agreements on science,to Acquire Senior Official Posts
for Strategic Efforts totechnology, and innovation as
at International Organizations
Acquire Senior Official
well as the formation of
was held to strategically engage
Posts at Internationalframeworks and rules, thethe government as a whole in
Organizations, thegovernment will secure andthe acquisition of top posts andgovernment as a whole will
expand the positions ofsenior official posts at
develop a system to carry
Japanese staff and theinternational organizations andout comprehensive
chairmanship of international
the dispatch of Japanese
coordination acrossconferences of relevant
nationals from the public andministries and agencies
international organizations,private sectors to international
concerning the nomination
strategically develop
organizations.
of candidates, etc., dispatch
candidates, and actively
・Japan is promoting initiatives toof Japanese nationals fromdispatch staff and experts fromplay a leading role in thethe public and private
relevant ministries andformation of international
sectors, and foster humanagencies. [STI, MOFA, MEXT,
agreements and frameworks
resources effectively, from
METI, relevant ministries andand rules, including
a long-term perspective, so
agencies]
participation in the OECDthat Japanese nationals can
Global Science Forum expert
obtain important executive
group.
positions, including top
positions, in internationalorganizations, and be
capable of actively
fostering excellent humanresources. [STI , MOFA,
MEXT, METI, relevant
ministries and agencies]
・ The Ministry of Foreign
Affairsandrelevant
ministries and agencies will
work
togethertostrategically respond whilestrengthening the collection
andaggregationof
information on the posts ofJapanesestaff
atinternational organizations,chairinternational
conferences,anddispatching experts. [STI,
MOFA, relevant ministries
and agencies]○Under the Japanese strategy for・When responding to・We will discuss andscience and technology
international issues in the field
implement concrete
diplomacy, the government willof science, technology, andpolicies on how to utilize
strengthen the foundation that
innovation bilaterally withJapan's strengths in science
supports the strategic
major countries such as theand technology in foreign
development of science andUnited States and EU member
policy, while utilizing thetechnology diplomacy bycountries, as well as
Advisory Board for thestrengthening cooperation
multilaterally with the G7 andPromotion of Science andsystems across ministries andG 20, the relevant ministries
Technology Diplomacy,
agencies, strengthening
and agencies will work closelywith the cooperation of
information collection andtogether.
relevant ministries and102

Specific measures under the Basic
Implementation status andFuture action policyPlananalysis of current situation
dissemination systems centered ・The Advisory Board for theagencies.. [MOFA, relevanton science and technology
Promotion of Science andministries agencies]
offices of diplomatic missions
Technology Diplomacy, which(Restated)abroad and overseas offices ofwas established under the・In addition to vitalizing thenational research andScience and Technology
Science and Technology
development agencies, etc., andAdvisor to the Minister for
Diplomacy Network
actively disseminating
Foreign Affairs to collect(STDN), we will enhance
information on efforts towardspecialized knowledge indissemination of Japan's
the realization of Society 5.0 in
various fields of science andscience and technology
international fora such as thetechnology and utilize it for thepolicies and activities
G7. [STI , MOFA, MEXT,
planning and drafting of foreign
through international
METI, relevant ministries andpolicy, discussed ways toconferences, etc. [MOFA,
agencies]
promote science and
STI, relevant ministries
technology diplomacy in Japan.
and agencies]
・In anticipation of assuming
the G7 Presidency Year2023, Japan aims to leadconcrete initiatives in thediscussions in open sciencethat Japan has led with theEU, and to accelerate
research cooperation
among fellow countries
through the establishmentof an common
international infrastructure.
[STI, relevant ministries
and agencies]○Through strategic promotion of・Priority support will be given to ・In addition to deepening
international joint research
universities that are engaged incooperation with overseas
through collaboration withthorough internationalization,
research funding agencies
overseas research fundincluding new initiatives toand strengthening theallocation organizations, etc.,
realize and accelerate
perspectives offormation of attractive researchexchanges and collaborationinterdisciplinary fusion
centers, international exchangewith world-class universities,(including the humanitiesof students and researchers,
structural improvements suchand social sciences) andrealization of world-classas personnel and educational
international industrytreatment and researchsystem reforms, and theacademia collaboration, we
environment,
strengthening of systems towill promote international
internationalization ofdevelop students' global
joint research in light ofuniversities, research institutes,
capabilities.
the changes in the
research fund allocation
・We will support universities
With/Post COVID-19
organizations, etc., thethat develop and implement
situation. [MEXT]
government will build an
educational exchange programs ・In order to contribute to theinternational research networkthat go beyond regional
promotion of internationalwith Japan positioned at thedifferences in higher education
brain circulation, we will
core, and attract excellent
systems, such as crossexamine a framework forhuman resources from aroundrecognition of credits,
long-term research andthe world. [Health, STI, MIC,
performance management, andpersonnel
exchange
MEXT, MHLW, MAFF, METI]
degree awarding. Suchbetweenorganizations,programs that assure quality
high-level universities, andfacilitate the overseas dispatch
research
institutes
inof Japanese students and thestrategic fields such as AI
acceptance of foreign students
and quantum technology,
in Japan.
and promote the formation
・In the World Premierof a network of researchers
International Research Center
centered on Europe and the103

Specific measures under the Basic
Plan

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation
Initiative(WPI), the FY2021
budget appropriation includes
the budget to form one newbase under a new mission.
Japan will continue to support
efforts to create international
fusion research centers that
contribute to the international
brain circulation by realizing
world-class treatment andresearch environments.
・Even under the influence of
COVID-19, we are steadily
implementing efforts related tointernational expansion ofscience, technology, andacademia, such as international
joint research and exchange of
researchers, not only throughface-to-face meetings but also
through online meetings.
・Under the Strategic
International Collaborative
Research Program (SICORP),
in FY2020, the government will
promote international
collaborative research with
developed and developing
countries, including the launchof public applications forresearch on COVID-19 in nonmedical fields. The Science andTechnology ResearchPartnership for Sustainable
Development (SATREPS)
program promotes international
collaborative research in thefields of environment andenergy, bio resources, disasterprevention and mitigation, andinfectious diseases control
through collaboration between
ODA and Japan's outstanding
science and technology.
・Based on the Future Earth (FE)concept, we promoteinternational collaborative
research that will lead tosolutions to climate change,
disaster risk reduction and otherglobal challenges, asa
multilateral joint researchutilizing an transdisciplinary
approach.
・We are steadily promotingof
international brain circulation
through the dispatch of104

Future action policy
United States. [MEXT]
・We will promoteinternational exchange
projects, including thestrategic dispatch andacceptance of researchers
and youth, while paying
attention to thecharacteristics of research
fields, the state of researchcapabilities in countries
around the world,
including the rapidly
growing Asia-Pacificregion, and the needs ofpartner countries. At thesame time, we willconsider a review of thestructure of existing
international exchange
projects from theviewpoint of the effective
and efficient constructionof international academic
networks. [MEXT]・In order to steadily
implement international
academic exchanges evenunder conditions such as
COVID-19, in which it isdifficult to travel between
countries, we will promote
the use of online
initiatives. [MEXT]・Japan will strengthen its
support for international
joint research in areas ofglobal interest throughgrants-in-aid for scientificresearch. [MEXT]
・We will promote theintroduction of funding
methods related tointernational joint research,such as joint public
offerings, in publicly
offered research projects
such as the Strategic
Creative Research
Promotion Project.
[MEXT]
・In the World PremierInternational ResearchCenter Initiative(WPI), we
will systematically andcontinuously promote theformation of international

Specific measures under the Basic
Plan

Implementation status andFuture action policy
analysis of current situation
Japanese researchers overseas
fusion research hubs
and the invitation of foreign
including new hubs
researchers to Japan throughscheduled to be established
the Overseas Fellowshipin in FY2021 based on new
Program and the Invitation
missions established with
Program for Foreign
an eye to the enhancing
Researchers.
opportunities for doctoral
・An international conference
students and other young(RD20) was held with theresearchers to gain
participation of the leaders ofinternational experiencethe leading research institutions
and overseas training. At
in the clean energy technology
the same time, we will
field of the G20. Japan’s
advance the lateralnational research anddeployment of know-how
development agencies and otherand promote internationalorganizations are conducting
brain circulation even ininternational joint research andthe with/post COVID-19
development of innovativeera.. [MEXT]
clean energy technologies by・In order to promote thecollaborating with cutting-edge
internationalization oftechnologies and research
universities, theresources possessed by researchgovernment will provide
institutes in other countries.
priority support to・We are promoting joint research
universities that arewith the EU and the United
striving to achieve
States. We launch anthoroughinternational joint researchinternationalization, andproject on the creation of adisseminate the results ofsmart living environment forsuch efforts within their
the elderly using digitalorganizations and to othertechnology under the Strategic
universities. [MEXT]
Information and・In order to promote theCommunications R&D
incorporation of
Promotion Program (SCOPE)
international researchin collaboration with Horizon
trends and improve the2020, and conducting an
metabolism of research ininternational joint research
Japan, we will promote theproject with the United Statesinternationalization of therelated to maintaining andmanagement of researchcontrolling social infrastructure
funding agencies, such as
using IoT.
through the participation ofoverseas researchers in thereview process, while
giving due consideration toensuring research integrity.
[STI, MEXT]・In order to enhance
opportunities for students
to study abroad, we will
promote even higher
quality student exchanges
by utilizing joint degree
programs and establishingeducational exchange
programs with overseas
partner universities.
[MEXT]
105

Specific measures under the BasicPlan○We will consider the method of
tabulation of indicators such as
the number of international
cooperation agreements andinternational joint papers
among the Top 1% papers inessential advanced fields by
FY2021. [STI, relevant
ministries and agencies]

Implementation status andanalysis of current situation

Future action policy

・RD20 will be held
continuously. We will also
continue to conduct
international joint researchand development on
innovative clean energy
technologies. [METI]・In order to accelerate thepractical application of
R&D results ininternational
standardization in the ICT
field and to contribute to
the creation of innovationand strengthening ofinternational
competitiveness, we willfurther promoteinternational joint researchwith our strategic partners.
[MIC]
・The Cabinet Office and Council ・We will evaluated thefor Science, Technology andmethod of aggregation of
Innovation are considering
indicators and conduct ameasures based on the Basictrial aggregation. [STI,
Plan.
relevant ministries andagencies]

2. Expanding the frontier of knowledge and strengthening research capabilities as a source of value
creation(1)Reconstruction of the environment that generates diverse and outstanding research[Ideal vision and direction toward its realization]
We aim to create an environment in which researchers can fully utilize their abilities based on a diverse
awareness of problems inherent in each individual, and continue to take on the challenge of solving
problems in order to create diverse and outstanding research results that open up the frontier ofknowledge.
In order to achieve this, first of all, we will enhance the career path for talented young people toadvance to the doctoral courses as bearers of “knowledge” under circumstances in which they canenvision their future activities. Specifically, we will reconstruct a career system in which outstanding
young researchers can take pride as a global leader in "knowledge" that meets the needs of the times, findthe value worth staking their own lives while securing enough time to devote to research, and take on thechallenge of becoming an independent researcher. In the future, an environment will be created in which106

all of the desired excellent doctorates can obtain regular positions in various fields, such as academia,
industry, and government, and work as leaders.
Both academia and industry are required to make efforts to realize this. In other words, it is necessary
for the industry to recognize that, if there is an environment in which PhD human resources withadvanced problem-solving abilities, who set their own problems and achieve their solutions, candemonstrate their abilities, they can play an active role with a sense of satisfaction toward the creation of
innovation in the industry. At the same time, academia needs to promote graduate school education
reform, be responsible to society for nurturing PhD human resources suitable for supporting Society 5.0,
and be welcomed with trust by society. In so doing, the custom of regarding doctoral students as cheap
research labor shall be overhauled, and they will be treated appropriately as researchers and developed
as human resources who will lead the next generation of society. At the same time, an environment willbe created in which researchers’ social advancement after completion of doctoral programs become thesocial evaluation of their teachers. Under this environment, excellent students and young people will
choose the path of doctorates and improve the depth and excellence of human resources in both academia
and industry.
Furthermore, in order to enhance research excellence, it is necessary to promote deep basic research
and academic research, as well as to actively exchange diverse knowledge. The goal is to create anenvironment in which individual researchers can create outstanding and original research results bysecuring time to engage in research and engaging in intellectual exchange with various entities without
being confined to their own specialized fields, and by being stimulated.
For this reason, we will make it so that many researchers will be able to study and gain experience
under different research cultures and environments overseas in order to step up their careers as
researchers and build an international research network with overseas researchers. At the same time, wewill create attractive research centers including those online, that attract motivated and talented
researchers from around the world, and attract top-level researchers. By promoting international joint
research utilizing these networks, we will create an environment in which we can stimulate each otherand generate new ideas one after another.
Furthermore, in order to secure diversity in research and to create gendered innovation 125, we willfurther promote the activities of female researchers, including in leadership positions, and increase
potential knowledge providers in our country by overcoming the low rate of women advancing todoctoral programs in natural sciences.
In addition, the government will strongly promote basic research and academic research, which are
the core of efforts to create knowledge. In doing so, the government will promote competitive researchfunds reforms to maximize the creation and utilization of knowledge, such as providing continuous
support to researchers.
In addition, the government will promote the humanities and social sciences in a comprehensive andsystematic manner, with the aim of exploring and presenting new values and the way society should be.
At the same time, we will promote knowledge, cooperation and collaboration in natural sciences and125

Innovation created by incorporating gender perspectives into science and technology.
107

promote the creation of the convergence of knowledge that transcends boundaries of fields. The
collective body of academia in Japan will continue to create superior knowledge while overcoming
barriers in its fields, addressing social issues and working together globally.
[Target]・ In an environment in which talented young people can envision themselves to be active in various
fields such as academia, industry, and government, they will be proud to enter Ph.D. programs andtake on the challenge as something that is worth staking their lives on, without economic concerns.
・ The creation and accumulation of diverse and outstanding research results from basic research andacademic research will advance, and continuous support will be provided to researchers who canachieve these results.
・ In an environment in which diversity is ensured, individual researchers are given time to sit down
and engage in research. Instead of being confined to their own specialized fields, they engage inactive intellectual exchanges with various entities, and through opportunities for overseas study
and experience, they are stimulated to advance emergent research and produce research resultswith higher excellence.
・ Research in the humanities and social sciences will progress with depth, and diverse knowledge
will be created. At the same time, creating and utilizing the convergence of knowledge that is
integrated with the knowledge of natural sciences in order to solve complex problems faced bydomestic, foreign, and local communities, becomes established.
[Key targets in science, technology, and innovation policies] (Key indicators)

・ PhD students receiving living expenses: to improve the treatment of outstanding PhD students, by
FY2025, the number of PhD students receiving an amount equivalent to living expenses will
increase by three times 126 (equivalent to approximately 70% of the number of students who havereceived master's degrees and moving on to doctoral programs). In addition, in the future, alloutstanding doctoral students who wish to apply for this program will receive an amountequivalent to living expenses.
・ Number of new hires by industry with doctoral degrees in science and engineering: the number of
new hires per year will increase by approximately 1,000 by FY2025 (The actual figures for 2018126

According to the FY2019 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology pilot university reform promotion project

Survey on the state of economic support for doctoral program students (March 2020), the actual figure for FY2018 was 10.1% ofdoctoral program students. Realization of the above numerical targets is equivalent to about 30% of all doctoral students receiving living
expenses. Under this plan, the amount equivalent to the living expenses that doctoral course students receive is 1.8 million yen or more
per year. However, in addition to efforts to utilize investment profits from University Endowment Fund and strengthen earlier support
for doctoral students, as well as expenditures for research assistants (RA) from competitive research funds, etc.,the government will
significantly expand the number of recipients equivalent to a JSPS postdoctoral fellow (DC) of about 2.4 million yen per year. The
government will also review the amount equivalent to living expenses and examine a system to enable recipients to receive treatment
equivalent to the world standard, from the viewpoint of making Japan's doctoral programs world-class and attracting talented students
from overseas.

108

are 1,151 out of 4,570 persons with doctorate degrees in science and engineering 127.).
・ Number of full-time university faculty under the age of 40: from the viewpoint of strengthening the
research capability of Japan, increase by 10% during the Basic Plan period 128, and aim to increase
the percentage of teachers under the age of 40 in full-time university faculty to 30% or more in the
future.
・ The ratio of tenured and tenure track teachers among 35-39 year-old full-time university faculty at
research universities 129 (national universities in “key support (3)” that place world-class outstanding
educational research throughout the university and social implementation as central to function
strengthening, and on a par with overseas universities that have produced outstanding results): over
10% increase in the ratio in 2019 during the Basic Plan period 130
・ The percentage of new hires in female researchers at universities: in science 20%, engineering
15%, agriculture 30%, medical/dental/pharmaceutical 30%, humanities 45%, social sciences 30%
by FY2025
・ Percentage of female university teachers who are professors, etc. (president, vice president,
professor) 131: 20% as early as possible and 23% by FY2025 (17.7% as of FY2020 132)・ The ratio of office work, etc. at universities, etc. in teachers' duties: halved by FY2025 (18% as of
FY2017 133)
[Current data] (Reference index)

・ The number of adjusted top 10% papers's share of total papers cited: 8.3% (2016-2018) 134
127

Calculated from the 2019 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's pioneering university reform promotion

project, Survey and research on grasping and analyzing the actual condition of educational reform in graduate schools (Libertas
Consulting Co., Ltd., March 2020).
128

According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s FY2019 Statistical Survey of School Teachers, in

FY2019, there were 41,072 teachers in full-time university faculty under the age of 40, and 22.1% of teachers in full-time university
faculty were under the age of 40.
129

It should be noted that each university and field has different situations and ratios of researchers, and it is important for each

university to aim for the achievement of their targets based on each situation. In particular, in the field of health care, there is a tendency
for graduates of medical and dental graduate schools, such as graduate students who are already in the workforce in the medical
profession, to be older. In addition, teachers in the medical profession such as physicians and dentists belonging to affiliated hospitals,
etc. are included. In the field of medical care and hospital management, etc., such teachers have high mobility, for example, they aretransferred between university departments and hospitals or dispatched to partner hospitals and clinics. For this reason, it is necessary totake into consideration the fact that many cases are operated with a fixed term.
In addition, it is important to take into consideration that depending on the researcher, there is a period during which research issuspended due to childbirth, childcare, etc., and to aim at achieving the targets.
130

According to a survey by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the percentage of tenured and tenure-track

teachers in the among teachers aged 35-39 who are full-time university faculty at national universities under “key support (3)” in FY2019
was 44.8%. A 10% increase in this proportion corresponds to 49.3% overall.
131

With regard to setting targets by field and position, each university and graduate school is required to strategically set, disclose andverify targets according to the characteristics of the field and institution.
132

Calculated based on Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's FY2020 School Basic Survey.

133

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Survey of Full-time Equivalency Data at Universities and Colleges"

134

Calculated by integer count. The number of adjusted top 10% papers' share of the total number of citations in 2016–2018. Calculated109

・ Total number of papers and their international share: 81,095 papers, 5.3% (2016-2018 (3-year
moving average)) 135
・ Number and percentage of participation in research areas in which research is attracting international
attention (Science Map): 274 areas, 30% (2013-2018) 136
・ Number of doctorates per population: 119 per 1 million population (2017) 137
・ Young researchers (full-time university faculty under 40) and percentage of the total: 41,072 persons,
22.1% (FY2019) 138
・ Percentage of female researchers among all researchers, including those in the private sector: 16.9%(FY2019) 139
・ Percentage of female researchers among full-time university faculty: 25.9% (FY2020) 140
・ Percentage of women enrolled in doctoral programs (by field): science (20%), engineering (19%),
agriculture (36%), medical/dental/pharmaceutical (31%), humanities (53%), social sciences (37%)(FY2020) 141① Improving the treatment of doctoral students and expanding their career paths
Specific measures under the Basic
Analysis of implementation
Future action policyPlanstatus and current status○With regard to improving the・In FY2019, a survey was
・The government will continue
treatment of doctoral students
conducted on the economic
to conduct regular surveys on
and expanding their career
conditions of doctoral
the economic situation ofpaths, the government will
students and the status of
doctoral program students andcontinue to analyze and follow
scholarship programs at
the status of scholarship
up on students who require
universities, and the results
programs at universities tovarious forms of support, andwere made public ("Doctoral
ascertain the current situation,
will make concerted efforts by
students receiving an amountand will enhance related
mobilizing all of various policy
equivalent to living
measures and promote theresources with the cooperation
expenses: 10.1%," etc.).
enhancement of efforts atof the industrial sector. The
・We will enhance the budget
universities as necessary.
government will also continue
for tuition reduction and[MEXT]
to provide support through the
exemption for graduate
・With a view to establishing aenhancement of the Research
students of national
University Endowment Fund,
Fellowship Program (DC), theuniversities in the FY2021
the government will
Japan Student Services
national university budget
summarize an interim report
Organization Scholarship (thosesubsidies, and continue toby around the summer of
who have achieved outstanding
support tuition reduction and
2021 on the requirements andacademic performance are
exemption for graduate
necessary reforms required forbased on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, National Institute for Science and Technology Policy,
Science and Technology Indicators 2020 (Research Materials 295, August 2020).
135

Calculated by integer count. Calculated based on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, National

Institute for Science and Technology Policy, Science and Technology Indicators 2020 (Research Materials 295, August 2020).
136

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, National Institute for Science and Technology Policy, Science Map

2018 (NISTEP REPORT 187, November 2020)
137

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, National Institute for Science and Technology Policy, Science andTechnology Indicators 2020 (Research Materials 295, August 2020)
138

Calculated from the FY2019 Statistical Survey of School Teachers.

139

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 2020 Results of the Survey of Research and Development (December 2020)

140

Calculated based on Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's FY2020 School Basic Survey.

141

Calculated based on Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's FY2020 School Basic Survey.
110Specific measures under the Basic
Analysis of implementationPlanstatus and current status
exempt from returning thestudents of privatemoney) and tuition reduction
universities, etc., in thefor graduate students atcurrent expense subsidiresuniversities, utilization of thefor private universitites, etc.
investment profits from・In order to establish theuniversity funds, and efforts toUniversity Endowment Fundstrengthen support for doctoral
with a scale of 10 trillion
students ahead of this. Inyen, the Act on Japan
addition, in order to promote
Science and Technology
the payment of salaries toAgency, National Researchdoctoral students at anand Development Agency
appropriate level as a research
was revised at the 204th
assistant (RA) from competitive
ordinary session of the Diet,
research funds and joint
and as part of the resources
research funds, the governmentof this fund, government
will formulate rules for the
secured 500 billion yen as
payment of RA expenses
for investment (the third
relating to employment andsupplementary budget of
remuneration for RAs at each
FY2020) and 4 trillion yen
business and university, and(the initial plan amount of
implement them sequentiallyfiscal investment and loan
from FY2021. FY2021. [STI,
program of FY2021) to
MEXT, relevant ministries andJapan Science & Technology
agencies]
Agency (JST). In addition,
as a measure to strengthen
support for doctoral program
students ahead of the
University Endowment
Fund, an additional 20
billion yen (the third
supplementary budget for
FY2020) was allocated tothe emergent researchpromotion fund.
・In order to promote thepayment of an appropriate
level of remuneration to
doctoral students employed
under competitive researchfunding, the Promotion ofAppropriate Expenditure of
RA Expenses, etc. forCompetitive Research
Funding was formulated in
March 2021 as an agreement
between the relevant
ministries and agencies.
○In FY2021, the government will ・Under the project to create
start a program to establish
university fellowships foruniversity fellowships, which
the creation of science andwill provide integrated support
technology innovation, 47
to excellent doctoral students,
universities were selected in
who are strategically secured by
February 2021, and support
universities, from their lives as
has been provided to a total
students to the acquisition ofof approximately 1,000
posts after graduation, and will
doctoral students since thepromote economic support
beginning of FY2021.
111

Future action policy
research universities that areon a par with the world. The
government will also compile
a conclusion on a new legal
framework by the end of 2021
and submit it to the next
ordinary Diet session. [STI,MEXT]・The Basic Approach toInvestment Policy of
University Endowment Fund
toward Building World-classResearch Universities will be
formulated around thesummer of 2021, andoperation will be launched in
FY2021. In addition, based on
the system design ofuniversity reform, etc.,
University Endowment Fundto the will be expanded to thescale of 10 trillion yen by theend of FY2021. [STI, MEXT]・ Japan will steadily promotesupport for doctoral students,
which was strengthened in
FY2020. [STI, MEXT]

・We will continue to support
doctoral students through the
project to create university
fellowships for the creation ofscience and technology
innovation. [MEXT]

Specific measures under the BasicPlanthrough organizations to which
they belong. [MEXT]○In addition to ensuringtransparency and fairness in theexamination of doctorate
degrees, measures to ensure thatthe results of posts and social
activities of doctoral students
after completion are also usedas the evaluation of universities
and teachers in charge will be
examined at the university
support forum PEAKS 142 andother forums. We willencourage a fundamental
change in awareness that it isthe duty of the advisor to train
doctoral students as nextgeneration researchers, and that
this will be reflected in theirown evaluation. [STI, MEXT]○In FY2021, the government will
implement long-term paidinternships at graduate schools
in cooperation with industry
and universities to develop
practical skills backed up by
research capabilities in doctoral
programs. The government will
also promote participation inindustry-university
collaboration activities, andincrease opportunities forstudents in doctoral programs to
explore the possibility ofdiverse participation in theindustry. In addition, thegovernment will expand career
paths for doctoral students in
the industry by establishing asystem for discovering(matching) excellent young
researchers by companies anduniversities and promoting theemployment of doctoral
graduates in companies.
[MEXT, METI]○With regard to the employment,
duties, and treatment ofdoctoral graduates both inJapan and overseas among
national public officers andindustries, the government will
142

Analysis of implementation
status and current status

Future action policy

・At the 50th Council for・In the Leaders´ Forum on
Science, Technology andPromoting the Evolution of
Innovation, council members
Academia for Knowledge
proposed that "the postings
Society PEAKS and otherof doctoral students and theforums, measures will be
results of their social
examined to utilize theadvancement should bepostings and socialreflected in teachers’
advancement of doctoral
evaluations.”
program students after theirgraduation in the evaluation ofuniversities and teachers incharge. [STI, MEXT]・The Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology and Keidanren
jointly run a committee to
implement long-term paidinternships in doctoral
programs.
・Efforts by companies anduniversities have been
conducted to identify
outstanding young
researchers, and discussions
held on promoting theparticipation of PhD holders
in industry.

・Based on deliberations by the
job-based research internshippromotion committee, a longterm paid internship programfor doctoral programs has
been implemented since
FY2021 through the job-based
research internship promotion
project.". [MEXT]
・We will continue to promote
efforts by companies anduniversities
todiscoveroutstanding
young
researchers. [METI]・We will conduct a survey tounderstand the current statusof the active role of PhD
holders in industry and to
identify issues. [STI, MEXT,
METI]・In July 2020, the Cabinet
・In addition to developing the
Bureau of Personnel Affairs,
above results and good
the Science, Technology, andexamples, relevant ministries
Innovation Promotion
and agencies should consider
Secretariat, and the Ministry
ways to improve the treatmentof Education, Culture,of doctoral graduates

A forum established in FY2019 by university officials, industry, and the government to discuss management issues and solutions atuniversities, horizontally develop good practices that lead to innovation, consider deregulation, and develop university management.
112

Specific measures under the Basic
Plan
investigate the actual
conditions and needs of such
graduates and share good
examples of from FY2021, andat the same time, advance theconsideration of improving thetreatment of doctoral graduates
among national public officers
based on their professional
knowledge and researchexperience and come to aconclusion at an early stage.
[CBPA, NPA, STI, MEXT,
METI, all ministries andagencies]

Analysis of implementation
status and current status
Sports, Science andTechnology conducted asurvey of the Human
Resources Division of eachministry and agency, withthe aim of examining theutilization of PhD holders in
the government and public
offices. The results of thesurvey were compiled in
February 2021.

Future action policy
employed as national public
officers based on their expert
knowledge and researchexperience. [CBPA, NPA,
STI, MEXT, METI, allministries and agencies]② Development of an environment in which young researchers can play an active role at universities,
etc.
Specific measures under the Basic
Analysis of implementationPlanstatus and current status○The government will advance・For the preparation of thethe provision of posts to young
supplementary edition of theresearchers using external funds
Guidelines for Reform ofand the utilization of a tenure
Personnel and Remuneration
track system and clarifying
Management, we arestandards. Additionally, tostudying methods forpromote efforts to secure posts
investigating good practices,
for young researchersetc.
throughout the organization,
・The government willencourage the development andprovide intensive financial
active participation of young
support for the ambitious
researchers, and build adevelopment of educationalsustainable research system
and research organizations,through measures such as
including doctoral programs,
promoting the utilization of an
through the national
annual salary system and crossuniversity management
appointment system for seniorsubsidy.
researchers, and promoting theconversion to fixed-term
employment using externalfunds. To this end, in FY2021,
the government will prepare a
supplementary edition of the
Guidelines for Reform of
Personnel Management andRemuneration Management,
which includes excellent
examples of such efforts. In
addition, the government will
promote efforts to reallocate thenumber of students (transfer ofthe number of students,
reorganization of theeducational researchorganization) so that
113

Future action policy・In order to promote thesecuring of posts in young
researchers and thedevelopment of young
researchers throughout theorganization, and to build asustainable research system,
in FY2021 a supplementary
edition of the Guidelines for
Reform of Personnel andRemuneration Management
Reform will be prepared,
taking into account goodpractices such as theutilization of annual salarysystems and crossappointment systems and theshift to fixed-term
employment with externalfunding. [MEXT]・In order to promote each
university's efforts toreorganize its educational andresearch organizations basedon its own strategies, thegovernment will implement a
focused allocation of funds tothe national university budget
subsidies. [MEXT]

Specific measures under the Basic
Analysis of implementationPlanstatus and current status
universities will actively
implement reforms to allow
more students to advance todoctoral programs in academic
fields that they believe should
be intensively enhanced basedon their own strategies.
[MEXT]○From FY2021, the government
・In October 2020, thewill pay personnel expenses forministries and agencies
researchers at universities andconcerned agreed to enable
national research andthe expenditure of personnel
development agencies fromexpenses for principal
competitive research funds andinvestigators (PIs) from
corporate joint research funds,
competitive research funds,
and will promote the creationand to utilize the financialof stable posts for young
resources secured thereby
researchers throughfor improving the treatment
organizational managementof PIs and improving thefrom the financial resources
research environment.
thus secured. In addition, the・The FY2021 allocation of
government will promote anational university budget
scheme to raise the salary levelsubsidies reflects the state ofby acquiring external funds
use of external funds(mixed salary) from FY2021 in(donations, joint researchorder to achieve world-classfunds, competitive researchtreatment for excellent
funds, etc.) for personnel
researchers. [STI, MEXT,
expenses.
relevant ministries andagencies]○In order to build a team-type
・For engineers (including
research system in which
technical staff who support
management personnel fromresearch in all fields at
URA , etc., and highly skilled
universities, etc.), efforts toprofessional personnel such assupport quality assurance
engineers (including technicaland improved treatment
personnel who support researchstarted in FY2021.
in all fields at universities,
・With regard to URAs, inetc.), etc., work together to
FY2021, the government
ensure the quality of theirbegan to provide
professional duties andopportunities for URAs to
improve their treatment will bereceive systematic
implemented by the end of
specialized training on the
FY2021 so that they willknowledge required of them,
become attractive positions.
and to support theThis will enable themanagement of accreditation
enhancement of mobility andbodies that provide objective
career paths of professional
quality assurance
personnel, including doctoral(accreditation) based on
personnel, as well as thepractical capabilities.
114

Future action policy

・From FY2021, thegovernment will expend
personnel costs for persons
engaged in research atuniversities and national
research and development
agencies, etc. fromcompetitive research funds
and joint research funds ofcompanies, and promote thecreation of stable posts foryoung researchers throughorganizational managementfrom the financial resources
secured thereby [STI, MEXT
relevant ministries andagencies]
・In order to achieve worldclass treatment foroutstanding researchers, in
FY2021, the government will
promote the implementationof a salary system (mixed
salary) that enables thepayment of higher-thanstandard salaries by utilizing
external funds. [STI, MEXT,
relevant ministries andagencies]
・A certification system will beestablished in accordance withthe capabilities of URAs to
improve quality and visualize
capabilities. In addition, bycollecting and disseminating
good examples of the roles
and treatment of URAs andother management personnel,
we will promote better
understanding of theeffectiveness of the strategic
allocation of URAs atuniversities and otherinstitutions and improvetreatment. [MEXT]
・We will build a nationwide
network to improve the skillsof engineers (including
technical staff who support

Specific measures under the Basic
Plandevelopment and securing ofthem. [MEXT]

Analysis of implementation
status and current status○Follow-up surveys on the・ A follow-up survey was
employment status and treatment
conducted
on
theof doctoral graduates will be
employment status
andconducted periodically during
treatmentofdoctoralthe Basic Plan period. Eachgraduates, and the third
university will also continue toreport was published inmonitor the employment andNovember 2020.
activity status of doctoral
・A survey was conducted by
graduates even after completion,
the national government on
and publish details of
the status of obtaining
employment status on theinformation on employment
Internet, etc. [STI, MEXT]
and career paths of doctoral
graduates at universities, andthe results were published.

Future action policy
research in all fields atuniversities, etc.) and realize
diverse career paths. In
addition, universities as awhole will strengthen theirorganizational structure forstrategically introducing,
updating, and sharing researchfacilities and equipment (Core
Facility Construction Support
Program) to train and secure
excellent engineers. [MEXT]
・We will conduct a follow-up
survey on the employment
status and treatment ofdoctoral graduates at each
university, publish the latest
results, and consider measures
to promote efforts at each
university. [MEXT]
・We will continue to conduct
follow-up surveys and bird'seye analysis of theemployment status andtreatment of doctoral
graduates. [MEXT]③ Promoting the active participation of female researchers
Specific measures under the
Analysis of implementation
Future action policy
Basic Plan
status and current status○The government will improve ・Implementation of projects
・We will continue to promote
the environment and support
such as the "Initiative for the
projects to improve thesystems for both male andRealization of a Diverse
environment and support
female researchers to balance
Research Environment tosystems so that both male andchildcare and nursing care
improve the environment andfemale researchers canwith research, including theenhance support systems tobalance childcare and nursing
establishment of on-campus
balance research with life
care with research. [MEXT]
childcare facilities, theevents such as childbirth and・We will share and promote
promotion of work stylechildcare.
efforts among the ministries
reforms, the additional・In the guidelines for open
and agencies concerned to
employment of post-doctoral
recruitment, etc., for theconsider the period of
researchers when there are
Fusion Oriented Research formaternity leave and childcare
researchers on maternity
Disruptive Science andleave in the age limit, etc. inleave, and the establishment
Technology and Grants-in-Aid
the guidelines for open
of items related to diversity infor Scientific Research
recruitment of support
the performance evaluation of(KAKENHI), etc., it is clearly
projects for young
managers. As part of thesestated that the period of
researchers. [MEXT, STI,
efforts, the government willmaternity leave and childcare
relevant ministries andclearly state in FY2021 thatleave will be considered.
agencies]
the period of maternity leaveand childcare leave will betaken into consideration in theage restrictions, etc. of
guidelines for publicrecruitment of support
projects for young

115

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
researchers. 143Additionally,
the government will promoteconsideration for researchers
taking maternity leave andchildcare leave such as bytaking similar measures forage restriction for the
recruitment of young teachersat universities, etc. [CCRA,
MEXT, MHLW, METI,
relevant ministries andagencies]○Universities and publicresearch institutes will utilize
the Act on Promotion of
Female Participation andCarrer Advancement in the
Workplace to set and publish
strategic numerical targets forthe percentage of women
employed and the percentageof women promoted toleadership positions, etc. byeach business operator inaccordance with thecharacteristics of theorganization and thepercentage of women enrolled
in doctoral programs in eachfield (science 20%;
engineering 19%; agricultural
36%; medical, dental, andpharmaceutical 31%;humanities 53%; social
science 37% (FY2020)).
[Gender Equality, MEXT,
relevant ministries andagencies]

143

Analysis of implementation
status and current status

Future action policy

・ The following requests were ・We will call on universities
issued to science, technology,
and public research institutes
and academic organizations.
to set and disclose strategic
1. To promote active efforts tonumerical targets for the
expand and promote thepercentage of womenparticipation and advancement
employed and the percentageof women by utilizingof women appointed inmechanisms such as theleadership positions, informulation of an employer’s
accordance with the ratio ofaction plan based on the Act
women in doctoral programson the Promotion of Female
in each field, theParticipation and Carrer
characteristics of theAdvancement in theinstitution, and other factors.
Workplace, and in particular,[Gender Equality, MEXT,
for organizations, etc., newly
relevant ministries andsubject to the obligation fromagencies]
2022 to take appropriate
・The Council for Gendermeasures based on the said
Equality will deliberate onAct.
important issues every year.
2. To implement voluntary and
In 2023, the middle year ofeffective positive
the Fifth Basic Plan forimprovement measures with
Gender Equality, the Council
reference to professional
will follow up on the status oforganizations that haveachievement of all
implemented positive action,achievement targets andsuch as introducing a quota
conduct inspections andsystem for the appointment ofevaluations. At the same time,
officers.
it will follow up on efforts
3. In order to achieve therelated to achievement targets.
numerical targets for the[Gender Equality]
recruitment and promotion of
women in science, technology,
and academia, each entity,
such as universities, research
institutes, academicorganizations, and companies,
shall independently set targets
for recruitment andpromotion, and shall disclose
the targets and the status of
their progress.

For example, in the Fusion Oriented Research project, the application requirements will be within 15 years after obtaining a doctoral

degree in principle, and within 20 years after obtaining a doctoral degree for those who could not devote themselves to research due tochildbirth and childcare.
116Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
○Efforts by national universities
to build teacher organizations
with diverse human resources,
such as female researchers,
and efforts to encourage
female students to advance toscience and engineering
departments will be evaluatedas management achievementsof university presidents andreflected in the allocation ofoperating expense subsidies.
In addition, efforts by private
universities, etc. to support
female researchers andresearchers of the childraising generation will besupported by the current
expense subsidy for private
universities, etc. in order tosupport efforts by private
universities, etc. to support
female researchers, such asbuilding flexible working
systems. [MEXT]○In order to communicate theappeal of science andengineering to junior high andhigh school students, parents,
and teachers, and in order toincrease the proportion of
women in master’s programsand doctoral programs,
mainly in science andengineering, the government
will promote the presentationof career paths and rolemodels for female
researchers. In order topromote the advancement of
women in science andengineering, the government
will further enhance thecareer paths and role modelsof female researchers fromFY2021. [Gender Equality,
MEXT]

Analysis of implementation
status and current status
・In the priority support
corresponding to the directionof the function enhancementof national university budget
subsidies, evaluation of theachievement status of KPIs
established by each university
itself, including the efforts toenhance the science andmathematics orientation of
female students, etc. isconducted.

Future action policy
・The government will draw aconclusion by the end of
FY2021 on the allocation
mechanism of the newnational university
corporation, national
university budget subsidies,
toward the 4th medium-termtarget period. [MEXT]・With regard to subsidies forordinary expenses for private
universities, in order topromote the development ofan environment for
researchers in the childrearing generation including
female researchers, support
will be provided touniversities that promote thedevelopment of a childcare
support system and thedevelopment of a research
environment suited to the life
cycle of a child. [MEXT]・In the Support Program for・We will implement programs
Female Junior and Seniorsuch as the Support ProgramHigh School Students' Choicefor Female Junior and Seniorof Career in Science andHigh School Students' ChoiceEngineering, measures wereof Career in Science andimplemented to promote
Engineering to promote female
female junior and senior highjunior and senior high school
school students' advancement
students' advancement toto science and engineering.
science and engineering.
・In August 2020, we released a[MEXT]
video seminar for female ・In order to promote women's
junior and high school
choice of careers in science
students, their parents, andand technology, a symposium
teachers to raise awarenesswill be held in which career
about the future of science andpaths and role models forengineering selection.
female researchers, etc. are
・In March 2020, we prepared andisplayed for female junioreducational
materialforhigh and high school students,
instructors of science andtheir guardians, and teachersmathematics education for[STI,
GenderEquality,junior high school students
MEXT].
titled Class-making in Science ・We will promote theand Mathematical Subjects
dissemination of anthat Incorporate a Perspective
educational material forof Gender Equality—with a
instructors of science andFocus on Junior High Schools.
mathematics education forjunior high school students
titled Class-making in Scienceand Mathematical Subjects
that Incorporate a Perspectiveof Gender Equality—with a
Focus on Junior High Schools[Gender Equality, MEXT]
117

④ Basic Research and promotion of academic researchSpecific measures under the
Analysis of implementation
Basic Plan
status and current status○In order to create and expand a ・In the FY2021 budget as well,variety of knowledge throughfoundational expenses foracademic research, thenational and private
government will secure anduniversities were expanded.
enhance financial resources
・In the FY2021 budget,that can be used at the
Grants-in-Aid for Scientificdiscretion of the organization,
Research (KAKENHI) were
including basic costs. At the
expanded. Budgets weresame time, the government
allocated for the realization ofwill secure and enhance
support for diverse andgrants-in-aid for scientificcontinuous research activities
research (scientific research
aimed at the continuous
funds) that support creative
creation of research results
and challenging research
and for the enhancement ofsubjects in accordance withnew and integrated research.
the careers of researchers,
aiming at a new adoption rateof 30%, while continuously
promoting system
improvements such as support
for young researchers, further
promotion of emerging andfusion research andinternationalization, andreview of examination
categories. [MEXT]

Future action policy

・For the creation andexpansion of diverse
knowledge by academic
research, the government willsecure financial resources thatcan be used as foundationaland other expenses at thediscretion of theorganizations. [MEXT]・With regard to Grants-in-Aid
for Scientific Research(KAKENHI), the government
will aim to support unceasing
research funding based on
active adoption of young
researchers, and aims toachieve a 30% rate of new
applications, while continuing
to make improvements suchas the improvement of young
researchers in basic researchand emerging/converged
research, strengthening
support for international joint
research in areas of global
concern, and expanding
application opportunities thatlead to the rapid growth ofoutstanding young
researchers. [MEXT]○With regard to the Strategic
・While promoting priority
・In order to promote priority
Basic Research Programs 144,
support for young researchers,
support for young researchers
from FY2021, the government
we are currently working on
and continuous support forwill promote priority support
the grouping of strategic
outstanding researchers, thefor young researchers andobjectives for the participation
government will promote theseamless support for excellentof a wide range of researchers,grouping of strategic
researchers. At the same time,
including outstanding
objectives, and will makethe government will promoteresearchers and researchers in
improvements with regard tobasic research for the posta wide range of fields,
taking on emerging and fusion
coronavirus era by bringing
including the humanities andfields, the promotion of
together and merging
social sciences, who haveoverseas challenges, and theresearchers from a wide range
been excluded from the target
strengthening of internationalof fields, including theuntil now.
joint research. [MEXT]
humanities and social
sciences. The government will
also enhance and improve theprogram in order to take on
emerging and fusion fields,
promote overseas challenges,
and strengthen international
joint research. [MEXT]○By providing researchers
・In FY2020, we held open
・The government will steadily

144

A project to strategically promote basic research as a source of innovation by establishing a temporary research system (network-typeresearch institute) that transcends organizational and sectoral boundaries under strategic objectives set by the national government.
118

Specific measures under the
Analysis of implementation
Basic Plan
status and current statusaround the time they become
recruitment and adoption of
independent, mainly young
for research projects in the
researchers, with an
Fusion Oriented Research forenvironment in which they
Disuptive Science andcan boldly concentrate on
Technology project, andtheir own ambitious ideas overresearch was launched in
the long term, the government
April 2021. In addition, in thewill steadily promote Fusion
third supplementary budget
Oriented Research for
for FY2020, the budget
Disruptive Science andnecessary for the expansion ofTechnology projects with thethe number of adopted
aim of creating results that can
projects and the enhancement
lead to disruptive innovation,of RA support was
breaking away from shortappropriated.
term performance-based
approaches, and will alsoenhance projects with a viewto steady implementation.
[MEXT]○In the evaluation of large-scale ・In the stage-gate evaluation ofprojects and competitivecompetitive research funds inresearch funds, thesome parts of Ministry of
government will more
Education, Culture, Sports,
actively evaluate the
Science and Technology, ageneration of results and spinviewpoint of screening wasouts that were not initiallyintroduced in line with the
expected, and that research
purpose of the system tohas continued to bepromote challenging efforts.
challenged, and will also
introduce a system in whichyoung researchers participate
in the examination to theextent that it does not impose
an excessive burden, from theviewpoint of taking diverse
viewpoints into consideration.
on them. [MEXT]○The government will promote ・A road map to clarify priorities
thedevelopment
andof large-scale project was
utilizationoflarge-scaledrawn up by a council of the
projects and advanced largeMinistryof
Education,
scale facilities and equipment
Culture, Sports, Science andleading the world's academic
Technology.
frontier. [MEXT]・The development of nextgeneration synchrotron
radiation facilities started in
FY2019 in accordance withthe division of roles between
the public-private regional
partnership. As of the end of
May 2021, the basic building
construction progress rate wasabout 51%.
・SPring-8, SACLA, and JPARC are widely used byresearchers in industry,
academia, and government as
specific advanced large-scale
119

Future action policy
implement support throughthe Fusion Oriented Research
for Disuptive Science andTechnology project, which
provides continuous support
for research funds related toemergent research for up to 10
years. The government will
also verify the effects of the
new system introduced into
the program, and will deepen
efforts to ensure an
environment in which young
researchers and others canconcentrate on free andchallenging research. [MEXT]
・Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology has establishedevaluation criteria for thepromotion of challenging
initiatives in stage-gateevaluations of competitive
research funding in someareas. Based on these criteria,
we will continue to conduct
evaluations and promote
projects that support
challenging initiatives.
[MEXT]

・We will strategically andsystematically promote largescale projects that lead theworld's academic frontiers,
while formulating an annual
plan and conducting rigorous
evaluation and progress
management. [MEXT]
・We will make steady progressin the development of nextgeneration synchrotron
radiation facilities, with theaim of starting operations in
FY2023, in accordance withthe division of roles between
the public-private regional
partership. [MEXT]
・We will steadily promote thesharing of quantum beamfacilities such as SPring-8,
SACLA, and J-PARC, as wellSpecific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation
status and current status
research facilities.

○With regard to joint use and・In order to promotejoint research centers that
networking, the statute on theeffectively and efficiently
accreditation of joint
promote joint use and joint
use/research centers andresearch by making the mostinternational jointof the research potential ofuse/research centers (Ministry
universities, nationalof Education, Culture, Sports,
universities will promote
Science and Technology
activities that contribute to the
Notification No. 133 of Julyfusion of different fields,
31, 2015) was partiallycreation of new fields, andamended in December 2020.
resolution of social issues
through flexible organizationin response to academic
development and researchdiversification during thefourth medium-term target
period starting in FY2022,
based on the system revision
to promote networking. 145[MEXT]○With regard to inter-university ・Assessment was conducted on
research institute corporations
whether education and146, which provide researchers
research activities in internationwide with large-scale
university research institutes
facilities and equipment, data,
during the third mid-termand valuable materials that are
objectives period corresponddifficult to operate at
to trends in academic research
individual universities, etc.,
and contribute to theand which support education
development of academic
and research at universities in
research at universities, andJapan, the government will
the results were published.
strengthen their functions byreflecting them in theestablishment of the mid-term
objectives and theorganizational review toward
the fourth mid-term objectives
period starting in FY2022,
based on the results of theassessment of education andresearch activities at eachinter-university research
institute. [MEXT]○In order to analyze and evaluate ・The ministries and agencies
Japan's research capabilities
concerned have begun
from multiple perspectives,
studying the development of145

Future action policy
as promoting inter-facility
cooperation and efforts toward
remote and smart facilities.
[MEXT]
・For national universities,
studies will be conducted forthe selection of new andcontinuing centers during thefourth medium-term target
period. [MEXT]

・From the perspective ofstrengthening researchsystems at each interuniversity research instituteand contributing to thedevelopment of academic
research, we will review theorganizations and operations,and consider the fourth midterm objectives and plan ,based on the results theassessment. [MEXT]

・We will ascertain andorganize overseas trends inindicators for multifaceted

On December 23, 2020, the MEXT Notification No. 133 (July 31, 2008) partially revised the "Regulations on Joint Use, Joint

Research Sites, and Accreditation of International Joint Use, Joint Research Sites, etc
146

Four corporations: National Institutes for the Humanities, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, High Energy Accelerator Research

Organization, and Research Organization of Information and Systems.

120

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
researchmap 147 , etc. will beutilized to efficiently gain andanalyze diverse information
relatedtoresearchers.
Furthermore,takingintoaccount overseas trends, newindicators such as innovation
creation, development of new
fields, and contribution todiversity will be developed in
2022 in addition to the existing
number of papers and citationindex, and their sophisticationand continuous monitoring
will be carried out. [STI,
MEXT, METI.]

Analysis of implementation
status and current status
new indicators for themultifaceted analysis andevaluation of Japan's researchcapabilities.

Future action policy
analysis and evaluation ofresearch capabilities,
exchange opinions withexperts, and consider thedevelopment of new
indicators. [STI, MEXT, and
METI]⑤ Promotion of international joint research and international brain circulation
Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
○Conduct international joint
research with developed
countries with high levels ofscience and technology suchas the United States andcountries in the European
Union, and promote scienceand technology cooperation
with emerging anddeveloping countries such as
India and Kenya around the
SDGs. Contribute to thedevelopment of science andtechnology, human resource
development, and theresolution of global issues,
including medium- and longterm perspectives. [STI,
MEXT, relevant ministries
and agencies]

147

Analysis of implementation status
Future action policy
and current status
・We are promoting international ・We will steadily advance thejoint research with developed
Strategic Internationalcountries.
Collaborative Research
・We are promoting international
Program (SICORP), including
joint research that leads tocooperation in strategic fields
solutions to global challenges
with countries that sharethrough collaboration between
common values and efforts forJapan’s advanced science andinternational industrytechnology and ODA.
university collaboration.
・Under the Strategic[MEXT]
International Collaborative・As for the Science andResearch Program (SICORP),
Technology Researchinternational collaborative
Partnership for Sustainable
research is being promoted with
Development (SATREPS)
developed and developing
program, Japan willcountries, including the public
strategically implement
invitation for research oncooperation with emerging
COVID-19 in the non-medical
and developing countries
field in FY2020. The Sciencebased on its achievements toand Technology Researchdate, and clarifying thePartnership for Sustainableachievement of the SDGs andDevelopment (SATREPS)
targets for social
program promotes international
implementation. [MOFA,
collaborative research that leads
MEXT]
to solutions to global
challenges in the fields ofenvironment and energy, bio
resources, disaster prevention
and mitigation, and infectious
diseases control throughA comprehensive database of Japanese researchers operated by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Researchers register

information on their own background, research results, etc. to disseminate information on researchers and encourage communication, as
well as contribute to the unified management of research information and reduction of administrative burden. National Institute ofInformatics conducts research and development on the system.
121

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation status
and current status
collaboration between ODA
and Japan's outstanding scienceand technology.
○With a view to expanding
・The 11th International Strategy
opportunities for overseas
Committee of the Council for
research institutes andScience, Technology, andoverseas experience for
Academia was held at Ministry
Japanese students and youngof Education, Culture, Sports,
researchers, inviting
Science and Technology. Basedexcellent researchers fromon the recognition of theforeign countries, andcurrent situation as pointed out
promoting the employment
in the Sixth Basic Plan,of foreign researchers, bydiscussions and examinations
FY2021, the government
were conducted toward thewill formulate a strategy forformulation of an international
the international
strategy.
development of science and・We conducted examination ontechnology, including
numerical targets based on an
support measures andunderstanding of the actual
environmental improvement
situation and analysis of issues(internationalization ofrelated to international brain
methods for international
circulation.
public recruitment and・Even under the influence of
employment of postCOVID-19, efforts related to
doctorates, measures forthe international expansion ofsalaries and treatment at thescience, technology, andinternational level, living
science, such as international
support including family
joint research and exchange ofmembers, improvement ofresearchers, are steadily being
international administrativeadvanced not only throughsystems, formation of
face-to-face meetings but alsointernational research
online.
centers, etc.), and will work
・Under the Strategic
on measures in order toInternational Collaborative
promote the employment ofResearch Program (SICORP),
foreign researchers. Theinternational collaborative
government will also
research is being promoted withconsider numerical targets
developed and developing
by FY2022 based on an
countries, including the public
understanding of the actual
invitation for research on
status of international brain
COVID-19 in the non-medical
circulation and an analysis offield in FY2020. The Scienceissues. [STI, MEXT]
and Technology ResearchPartnership for Sustainable
Development (SATREPS)
program promotes international
collaborative research that leads
to solutions to global
challenges in the fields ofenvironment and energy, bio
resources, disaster prevention
and mitigation, and infectious
diseases control throughcollaboration between ODA
and Japan's outstanding scienceand technology.
・We are steadily promoting
122

Future action policy

・The 11th International
Strategy Committee of theCouncil for Science,
Technology, and Academia
was held at Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology.
Based on the recognition of
the current situation as
pointed out in the Sixth Basic
Plan, discussions andexaminations were conducted
toward the formulation of aninternational strategy.
・We will examine numericaltargets based on anunderstanding of the actual
situation and analysis of
issues related to international
brain circulation. [STI,MEXT]
・In implementing international
joint research projects, thegovernment will deepen
cooperation with overseas
research funding agencies,
etc. strengthen theperspectives ofinterdisciplinary fusion(including the humanities andsocial sciences) andinternational industryacademia collaboration, andpromote cooperation in lightof changes in the With/Post
COVID-19 situation. [MEXT]・In order to contribute to thepromotion of international
brain circulation, we will
examine a framework forinter-organizational long-term
research and personnel
exchange between high-level
universities and research
institutes in strategic fields
such as AI and quantum
technology, and promote theformation of a network of
researchers centered on
Europe and the United States.
[MEXT]
・We will promote international
exchange projects, including
the strategic dispatch andSpecific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation status
and current statusinternational brain circulation
through the dispatch ofJapanese researchers overseas
and the invitation of foreign
researchers through theOverseas Fellowship Program
and the Invitation Program for
Foreign Researchers.

Future action policy

acceptance of researchers andyouth, while paying attention
to the characteristics ofresearch fields, the state ofresearch capabilities incountries around the world,
including the rapidly growing
Asia-Pacific region, and theneeds of partner countries.
[MEXT]・In order to steadily implement
international academic
exchanges even underconditions such as COVID19, in which it is difficult totravel between countries, wewill promote initiatives
including online initiatives.
[MEXT]○Through strategic promotion ・Priority support will be given to ・In addition to deepeningof international joint
universities that are engaged incooperation with overseas
research throughthorough internationalization,
research funding agencies andcollaboration with overseas
including new initiatives tostrengthening the perspectives
research fund allocation
realize and accelerateof interdisciplinary fusion
organizations, etc.,
exchanges and collaboration(including the humanities andformation of attractivewith world-class universities,
social sciences) andresearch centers,
structural improvements suchinternational industryinternational exchange ofas personnel and educational
academia collaboration, we
students and researchers,
system reforms, and thewill promote international
realization of world-classstrengthening of systems tojoint research in light of thetreatment and researchdevelop students' globalchanges in the With/Post
environment,
capabilities.
COVID-19 situation. [MEXT]
internationalization of・We will support universities
・In order to contribute to theuniversities, researchthat develop and implement
promotion of international
institutes, research fundeducational exchange programs
brain circulation, we will
allocation organizations,that go beyond regional
examine a framework foretc., the government will
differences in higher education
long-term research andbuild an international
systems, such as crosspersonnel exchange between
research network with Japan
recognition of credits,organizations, high-level
positioned at the core, andperformance management, anduniversities, and research
attract excellent humandegree awarding. Such
institutes in strategic fields
resources from around theprograms that assure quality
such as AI and quantum
world. (Restated)[Health,facilitate the overseas dispatch
technology, and promote the
STI, MIC, MEXT, MHLW,
of Japanese students and theformation of a network of
MAFF, METI]
acceptance of foreign students
researchers centered on
in Japan.
Europe and the United States.
・In the World Premier[MEXT]
International Research Center・We will promote international
Initiative(WPI), the FY2021
exchange projects, including
budget appropriation includes
the strategic dispatch andthe budget to form one new
acceptance of researchers andbase under a new mission.
youth, while paying attention
Japan will continue to support
to the characteristics ofefforts to create international
research fields, the state offusion research centers that
research capabilities incontribute to the internationalcountries around the world,brain circulation by realizing
including the rapidly growing
123Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation status
and current statusworld-class treatment andresearch environments.
・Even under the influence of
COVID-19, we are steadily
implementing efforts related tointernational expansion ofscience, technology, andacademia, such as international
joint research and exchange of
researchers, not only throughface-to-face meetings but also
through online meetings.
・Under the Strategic
International Collaborative
Research Program (SICORP),
in FY2020, the government will
promote international
collaborative research with
developed and developing
countries, including the launchof public applications forresearch on COVID-19 in nonmedical fields. The Science andTechnology ResearchPartnership for Sustainable
Development (SATREPS)
program promotes international
collaborative research in thefields of environment andenergy, bio resources, disasterprevention and mitigation, andinfectious diseases control
through collaboration between
ODA and Japan's outstanding
science and technology.
・Based on the Future Earth (FE)concept, we promoteinternational collaborative
research that will lead tosolutions to climate change,
disaster risk reduction and otherglobal challenges, asa
multilateral joint researchutilizing an transdisciplinary
approach.
・We are steadily promotinginternational brain circulation
through the dispatch ofJapanese researchers overseas
and the invitation of foreign
researchers to Japan throughthe Overseas Fellowship
Program and the Invitation
Program for Foreign
Researchers.
・An international conference(RD20) was held with the124

Future action policy
Asia-Pacific region, and theneeds of partner countries. At
the same time, we willconsider a review of thestructure of existing
international exchange
projects from the viewpoint of
the effective and efficientconstruction of international
academic networks. [MEXT]・In order to steadily implement
international
academic
exchanges
even
under
conditions such as COVID-19,
in which it is difficult to travel
between countries, we will
promote the use of online
initiatives. [MEXT]・Japan will strengthen its
support for international joint
research in areas of global
interest through grants-in-aid
for scientific research.
[MEXT]
・We will promote theintroduction of funding
methods related tointernational joint research,such as joint public offerings,
in publicly offered research
projects such as the Strategic
Creative Research Promotion
Project. [MEXT]・In the World PremierInternational Research Center
Initiative(WPI), we will
systematically andcontinuously promote theformation of international
fusion research hubs
including new hubs scheduled
to be established in in
FY2021 based on new
missions established with aneye to the enhancing
opportunities for doctoral
students and other young
researchers to gaininternational experience andoverseas training. At the sametime, we will advance thelateral deployment of knowhow and promoteinternational brain circulationeven in the with/post COVID19 era. [MEXT]・In order to promote theSpecific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation status
Future action policy
and current status
participation of the leaders ofinternationalization of
the leading research institutions
universities, the government
in the clean energy technology
will provide priority support
field of the G20. Japan’s
to universities that are striving
national research andto achieve thoroughdevelopment agencies and otherinternationalization, andorganizations are conducting
disseminate the results of suchinternational joint research andefforts within theirdevelopment of innovative
organizations and to otherclean energy technologies byuniversities. [MEXT]
collaborating with cutting-edge ・In order to promote thetechnologies and research
incorporation of international
resources possessed by researchresearch trends and improve
institutes in other countries.
the metabolism of research in・In addition to launching an
Japan, we will promote theinternational joint researchinternationalization of the
project on the creation of amanagement of researchsmart living environment for
funding agencies, such as
the elderly using digital
through the participation oftechnology under the Strategic
overseas researchers in the
Information andreview process, while giving
Communications R&D
due consideration to ensuring
Promotion Program (SCOPE)
research integrity. [STI,in cooperation with Horizon
MEXT] (Restated)
2020, we are promoting joint
・In order to enhanceresearch with the EU and theopportunities for students toUnited States such as anstudy abroad, we will promoteinternational joint researcheven higher quality student
project with the United Statesexchanges by utilizing joint
related to maintaining anddegree programs andcontrolling social infrastructure
establishing educational
using IoT.
exchange programs withoverseas partner universities.
[MEXT]
・RD20 will be held
continuously. We will also
continue to conduct
international joint researchand development on
innovative clean energy
technologies. [METI]・In order to accelerate thepractical application of R&D
results in international
standardization in the ICT
field and to contribute to thecreation of innovation andstrengthening of international
competitiveness, we willfurther promote international
joint research with ourstrategic partners in countries
and regions. [MIC]⑥ Securing research time125

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
○In order to build a team-typeresearch system in which
management personnel
from URA, etc., and highly
skilled professional
personnel such as engineers(including technicalpersonnel who support
research in all fields atuniversities, etc.), etc., areunited, efforts will be madeby the end of FY2021 to
improve the security ofprofessional quality andtreatment so that these will
become attractive positions.
Through this, the mobility
and career paths ofprofessional personnel,
including doctoral
personnel, will beenhanced, and at the sametime, they will be fosteredand secured. (Restated)[MEXT]○From FY2021, thegovernment will promote theadoption of smart
laboratories at universities,
the diffusion of services
provided by private
businesses that willcontribute to securing
research time, the lateraldevelopment of goodpractices for improving theefficiency of university
management operations, thesimplification ofadministrative processes atnational universities, anddigitalization. [MEXT]○With regard to competitive
research funds, thegovernment will unify,
simplify, digitalize and speed
up the rules pertaining tovarious administrative
procedures, based on theopinions of the field, andimplement them fromFY2021.
[STI, MEXT,
relevant ministries andagencies]

Analysis of implementation status
and current status
・For engineers (including
technical staff who support
research in all fields atuniversities, etc.), efforts to
support quality assurance andimproved treatment started in
FY2021. (Restated)
・With regard to URAs, in
FY2021, the government began
to provide opportunities for
URAs to receive systematic
specialized training on theknowledge required of them,and to support the managementof accreditation bodies thatprovide objective quality
assurance (accreditation) basedon practical capabilities.
(Restated)

Future action policy
・A certification system will beestablished in accordance withthe capabilities of URAs to
improve quality and visualize
capabilities. In addition, bycollecting and disseminating
good examples of the roles
and treatment of URAs andother management personnel,
we will promote better
understanding of theeffectiveness of the strategic
allocation of URAs atuniversities and otherinstitutions and improvetreatment. (Restated) [MEXT]
・We will build a nationwide
network to improve the skillsof engineers (including
technical staff who support
research in all fields atuniversities, etc.) and realize
diverse career paths.
(Restated) [MEXT]・We compiled and publicized・We will promote thegood practices on improving
dissemination of services
the efficiency of university
provided by private
operations.
enterprises that contribute to・In FY2020, the government
securing research time
requested national university
through the accreditation
corporations, etc. to review thesystem. [MEXT]
principles of written
・We will facilitate
documents, seals, and face-tosimplification andface meetings in administrative
digitalization ofprocedures.
administrative processes, with・A budget was implemented forreference to good examples ofsmarter and remote research
improving the efficiency offacilities and equipment.
university operations.
・ By FY2020, nine services[MEXT]
provided by private companies
that contribute to improving the
research environment werecertified.
・In March 2021, the ministries
・With regard to competitive
and agencies concerned agreed
research funds, based on theto unify, simplify, digitalize,
agreement of the relevant
and accelerate rules concerning
ministries and agencies on
various administrative
various administrative
procedures for competitive
procedures, the government
research funds.
will promote efforts to unify,
simplify, digitalize, andaccelerate rules. [STI, MEXT,
relevant ministries andagencies]126

⑦ Promotion of humanities and social sciences and creation of the convergence of knowledge
Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
○The government will
strengthen and enhance joint
use and joint researchsystems beyond theboundaries of universities
that support academic
research in the fields of thehumanities and social
sciences, and willaccumulate multilayered andmultifaceted knowledge by
promoting research in thehumanities and social
sciences based on intrinsic
motives through scientificresearch funding, etc.
[MEXT]○With regard to the various
issues that will be faced by
the future society, by the endof FY2021, the government
will establish and promote a
research support system inwhich researchers in thehumanities
andsocialsciences take the lead intackling research issues, andwill also consider measures
to promote the active
participationof
young
researchers. [MEXT]

Analysis of implementation status
and current status
・In order to promote networking,the statute on the accreditationof joint use/research centers andinternational joint use/research
centers (Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology Notification No.
133 of July 31, 2015) was
partially amended in December
2020. (Restated)
・External verification was
conducted on whether
education and research
activities in inter-university
research institutes during thethird medium-term target
period correspond to trends inacademic research andcontribute to the developmentof academic research atuniversities, and the results
were published. (Restated)
・In the FY2021 budget, Grantsin-Aid for Scientific Research(KAKENHI) were expanded.
Budgets were allocated for therealization of support fordiverse and continuous research
activities aimed at thecontinuous creation of research
results and for the enhancementof new and integrated research.
(Restated)
・From FY2013, the government
will engage in programs that
seek challenges that lead to
unexpected breakthroughs in
new research areas andcontinually improvemethodologies with theparticipation of researchers
from different academic fields;
conduct joint research throughinterdisciplinary collaboration
with the participation of people
who can bridge research results
and practical application, andaim for collaboration between
researchers and practitioners
from the promotion of research
to the transmission of research
results; and conduct
international joint research withthe aim of establishinginternational networks toengage in dialogue with
127

Future action policy
・For national universities, itwill be considered on theselection of new andcontinuing research centers
during the fourth mid-term
objectives period. [MEXT]
・From the perspective ofstrengthening researchsystems at each interuniversity research instituteand contributing to thedevelopment of academic
research, we will review theorganizations and operations,and consider the fourth midterm objectives and plan ,based on the results theassessment. [MEXT](Restated)
・For Grants-in-Aid for
Scientific Research(KAKENHI), we willcontinue to support academic
research in all fields,
including the humanities andsocial sciences. [MEXT]

・We will promote a program inwhich humanities and social
sciences researchers take thelead in tackling research issues
related to the various problems
that the future society will
likely face. [MEXT]

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation status
Future action policy
and current status
overseas researchers anddisseminate global results,
thereby contributing to thecreation of knowledge in thehumanities and social sciences.
・In FY2021, we began a programin which humanities and social
sciences researchers take thelead in tackling research issues
related to the various problems
that the future society will likely
face.
・We formulated guidelines for
・Full-scale operation of thedata sharing, utilization, andcomprehensive data catalog
rights in fields of thewill begin by FY2021.
humanities and social sciences.
[MEXT]
・A comprehensive data catalog
・In order to promote dataequipped with automatic
driven research, themetadata collection and bulk
government will draw
search functions for data at fiveconclusions during 2021 onsites in the humanities andmeasures to further strengthensocial sciences has been put
data platforms for the
into trial operation.
humanities and social
sciences, and promote
necessary measures. [MEXT]○With regard to the data
platform for promoting thesharing and utilization ofresearch data in thehumanities and social
sciences in Japan, by
FY2022, the government
will develop theinfrastructure such as asystem that can search forresearch data in thehumanities and social
sciences in Japan in a
unified manner. In addition,
the government will
determine the direction fromFY2023 based on the
progress made in theseareas, and will further
strengthen the data platformin the humanities and social
sciences based on thispolicy. Furthermore, thegovernment will determine
the direction by FY2022 inorder to strengthen support
functions such as the
management and utilizationof research data throughdigital conversion oflibraries. [MEXT]○In order to promote the・In the open recruitment for new
creation and utilization ofhubs for the FY2021 World
the convergence ofPremier International Researchknowledge, from FY2021,
Center Initiative (WPI),
the government will actively
initiatives to create theconsider setting targets
convergence of knowledge
focusing on the utilization offusing knowledge in thethe convergence ofhumanities and social sciences
knowledge including theand knowledge in the natural
fields of humanities andsciences at a high level weresocial sciences, and will
included in the open
promote research in publicly
recruitment.
offered strategic research・When formulating strategic
projects. In order to actively
objectives for the Strategic
128

・We will effectively promote
efforts to promote science andtechnology, including thoserelated only to the humanities
and social sciences, and thecreation of the convergence ofknowledge. [MEXT]

Specific measures under the
Basic Planpromote the creation of theconvergence of knowledge,
the government will also
include the creation of theconvergence of knowledge
through the fusion of highlevel fields at the world's
most advanced international
research centers in its
initiative. [STI, MEXT]○Based on the policy issues of
the relevant ministries andagencies, from FY2021, thegovernment will further
strengthen efforts by
researchers in the field of thehumanities and social
sciences to cooperate withadministrative officials to
conduct policy research andanalysis. In addition, with aview to the future society,the government will support
efforts by researchers in thefields of the humanities andsocial sciences and various
stakeholders in society tojointly create issues thatshould be addressed throughthe convergence ofknowledge. Through such

Analysis of implementation status
Future action policy
and current status
Basic Research Programs, thegovernment considered setting
targets related to theconvergence of knowledge, anddecided and announced them as
strategic objectives in March
2021. In the future, basic
research will be strategicallypromoted at Japan Science andTechnology Agency byselecting research areas andresearch summaries that are
optimal for achieving strategic
objectives.
・ In order to create theconvergence of knowledge
through integration with thehumanities and social sciences,
the Act on Japan Science andTechnology Agency, National
Research and Development
Agency (JST Act) and the Act
on RIKEN, National Researchand Development Institute(RIKEN Act) were amended inJune 2020 and enforced in April
2021. In line with this, in the
FY2021 budget, the government
will focus on social issues andstrengthen efforts to promoteresearch that aims at the social
implementation of science andtechnology to solve ELSI andincreasingly complex social
issues through the humanities
and social sciences
・ In FY2021, a program was ・We will steadily implement
launched in which researchers in
the initiatives described in thethe humanities and social
left column, and will work insciences and administrative
tandem with various
officials collaborate.
stakeholders to link the results
・In FY2020, with an eye on theobtained to specific research
future society, we launched aand development and toproject to create issues that
resolve social issues. [MEXT]
humanities and social science
researchers should address withthe convergence of knowledge
together with various
stakeholders in society.

129

Specific measures under the
Analysis of implementation status
Basic Plan
and current status
efforts, the government will
strengthen human networks
for solving social problems.
[MEXT]○By the end of FY2021, the・We began studying the basic
government will draw up
concept of the convergence ofbasic concepts and strategic
knowledge and measures tomeasures to promote thepromote it strategically.
convergence of knowledge,
・The NISTEP TEITEN survey
which contributes to a2020 (published in April 2021)
comprehensive
investigated the state ofunderstanding of humancooperation between natural
beings and society and tosciences and thesolving problems through thehumanities/social sciences.
fusion of knowledge in thehumanities and social
sciences and knowledge in
the natural sciences. In
addition, by the end of
FY2022, the government
will examine indicators
related to the humanities andsocial sciences and theconvergence of knowledge,
and will monitor them fromFY2023. [STI, MEXT.]○Based on the above・We will review deliberations on
mentioned measures
graduate school education
concerning the convergencereforms, including issues forof knowledge, while
graduate schools in thedeveloping career paths inhumanities and social sciences.
line with the needs ofsociety, the government willconsider measures topromote human resource
development in thehumanities and social
sciences through graduate
school education reform, andwill determine the directionof such measures by
FY2022. [STI, MEXT]

Future action policy

・The government will continue
to consider the basic conceptof the convergence ofknowledge and measures tostrategically promote it, andwill draw a conclusion by theend of FY2021. [STI]・n the NISTEP TEITEN
survey, in which the questions
will be newly designed withreference to the Sixth Basic
Plan, questions on theconvergence of knowledge
will be added and the situation
continuously investigated.
[STI, MEXT] (Restated)

・Based on the abovementioned measures regarding
the convergence ofknowledge, the government
will consider measures topromote the fostering of
human resources in thehumanities and social sciences
through graduate school
education reforms, and will
determine the direction ofsuch measures by FY2022.
[MEXT]⑧ Integral reform of the competitive research funding system
Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
○From FY2021, thegovernment will accelerate
efforts to strengthen
cooperation among
institutions for allocating
research funds, such asincreasing communication
through sharing project

Analysis of implementation status
and current status
・JST, JSPS and NEDO arecoordinating efforts tostrengthen cooperation.

130

Future action policy
・We will strengthen
collaboration between
research funding agencies by
sharing information on
researchers selected for
projects, promoting personnel
exchanges among institutions,and participating in projectSpecific measures under the
Analysis of implementation status
Basic Plan
and current status
evaluation results,
establishing opportunities forpeople-to-people exchanges
and information sharing, andestablishing mechanisms forrecommending researchers
and research results. [STI,
MEXT, METI, relevant
ministries and agencies]○With regard to competitive
・In March 2021, the ministries
research funds, theand agencies concerned agreed
government will unify,
to unify, simplify, digitalize,
simplify, digitalize and speed
and accelerate rules concerningup the rules pertaining tovarious administrative
various administrative
procedures for competitive
procedures based on the
research funds.
opinions of the field, andimplement them fromFY2021. (Restated) [STI,
MEXT, relevant ministries
and agencies]○With regard to the treatment
・The ministry and the ministries
of indirect expenses inconcerned began studying how
competitive research funds,
to handle indirect expenses in
unification of rules including
competitive research funds.
the ratio to direct expenses,
etc., and simplification of use
reports and documentary
evidence shall be examined,
and implement them fromFY2022. [STI, MEXT,
relevant ministries andagencies]○From FY2021, the・In order to continuously create
government will accelerate
research results, theefforts to provide seamlessgovernment will increase thesupport for research aimed
budget for the optimal
at strengthening basic
allocation of competitive
research capabilities, based
research funds to support
on specific implementation
diverse and ongoing researchplans. With regard toactivities and for the promotion
scientific research grants andof new and integrated research.
strategic research promotion ・In order to ensure that research
projects, the government
funds are seamlessly linked towill enhance support foroutstanding research results
young researchers,
concluding in the creation ofstrengthen efforts to ensure
innovation, collaborationthat talented mid-and highmeasures between institutions
ranking researchers canand corporations are being
secure research funding in aconsidered.
stable and sufficient manner ・In addition to the analysis of(such as reviewing
trends in research papers, theallocations andMinistry of Education, Culture,
examinations), and promote
Sports, Science and Technology
131

Future action policy
evaluations by otherinstitutions [MEXT, METI]・With regard to competitive
research funds, based on theagreement of the relevant
ministries and agencies on
various administrative
procedures, the government
will promote efforts to unify,
simplify, digitalize, andaccelerate rules. [STI, MEXT,
relevant ministries andagencies]
With regard to the treatment of
indirect expenses in competitive
research funds, the government
will consider the unification ofrules, including the ratio todirect cost expenditures, thereporting of usage, and thesimplification of documentary
evidence in cooperation with theministries and agencies
concerned, and will formulate anagreement by the end of
FY2021. [STI, MEXT, andrelevant ministries and agencies]
・The government will continue
to steadily promote support
for outstanding basic research,enhance support for young
researchers, including flexible
step-ups for outstanding
young researchers, andestablish a system to enable
outstanding researchers fromyoung to mid-career andsenior researchers to step up
seamlessly. We will also
strengthen support for
emerging and integrated fields
and international activities in
Grants-in-Aid for Scientific
Research (KAKENHI) and
Strategic Basic Research
Program projects. [MEXT]

Specific measures under the
Analysis of implementation status
Future action policy
Basic Plan
and current status
new and integrated research.
conducts interviews with
With regard to projects thatexperts to discuss scientificlink the results of basic
values, economic and social
research to industry, theimpacts, and other issues fromgovernment will strengthen
various perspectives, and thensystems for evaluating
formulates strategic targets 148.
academic values and flexible ・In formulating strategic
support systems in
objectives for the Strategic
accordance with research
Basic Research Programs, withphases, including support forthe cooperation of NISTEP,
matching with industry.
etc., the government will
[MEXT]
consider continuous support for
research results, based on
discussions on integrated
reform of competitive researchfunds, such as understanding
and analyzing the results
generated from Grants-in-Aid
for Scientific Research(KAKENHI) and holding
interviews with the JSPS
Research Center for Science
Systems.
○In addition to visualization
・In addition to visualizing the・After initiating an expert
and analysis of R&D results
relationship between research
judgment starting with anusing e-CSTI, theand development investment
overall overview and two
government will attempt toand the status of the number of
specific fields, we will expand
set priority areas during
papers in each field, we are
the work to cover multiple
FY2021, such as
constructing a Science Map thatfields (about ten fields),
establishing a new policy
can analyze the relationshipextract and analyze importantcycle of identifying andwith funding data and a Sciencescience and technology areas,
conducting research on the
Map that can analyze theand reviewing strategies forfollowing priority areas for
relationship with patent data
each field. [STI, relevant
the resolution of social
after taking in data on Japaneseministries and agencies]
issues. Additionally, in order
papers. (Restated)(Restated)
to make consideration based・In order to ensure theon changes in global trends
effective and efficient
in research and development
allocation of competitive
as well, the policy cycle will
research funds among various
be established as aprojects and to lead to themechanism in which regularreview of projects, thefollow-up is possible. [STI,
Cabinet Office and other
MEXT, relevant ministries
organizations will use e-CSTI
and agencies]
and other means to analyze
competitive research funds
and other inputs and outputs
for each project. [STI](Restated)(2)Construction of a new research system (promotion of open science and data-driven research, etc.)[Ideal vision and direction toward its realization]
148

In FY2021, we established eight strategic targets that address the three pillars of realizing a green society, creating a digital society,and creating a new post-coronavirus society.
132

Through the digitalization of society as a whole and DX of research itself that captures the trends ofopen science worldwide, Japan aims to create research results with higher added value and demonstrate
its presence. In particular, as the open access of papers and use of preprints further expand in the research
on COVID-19, it is necessary to share and utilize data generated in the overall research process
strategically and appropriately, and to realize a research foundation for generating high-impact research
results.
For this reason, with regard to the sharing and utilization of data, the government will first establish
an environment for promoting the management and utilization of research data based on open-and-close
strategies, while respecting free research and diversity, under a platform that enables high-quality
research data to be obtained at research sites and enables the cross-sectoral retrieval of such researchdata. In particular, a mechanism to ensure the reliability of data is essential. In addition, the government
will promote the implementation of leading-edge data-driven and AI-driven research based on these, andpromote research on information science and technology that supports these new research methods.
At the same time, we will build and maintain world-class research infrastructure for networks, data
infrastructure, and computing resources, and promote the widespread use of these resources regardlessof industry or academia. In addition, the government will promote the spread of smart labs, which realize
remote research and automated experiments at large research facilities, universities, and common
facilities and equipment at national research and development agencies. This is expected to greatly reducethe burden on researchers because they will be able to carry out research beyond time and distanceconstraints. With regard to these research infrastructures, the utilization of research facilities andequipment open to all researchers, including the development of data utilization mechanisms, will be
realized, and an environment will be created in which researchers can freely devote themselves to cuttingedge research.
The appropriate management and utilization of high-quality research data, the active use of data
science including AI, and the development of an advanced infrastructure environment will not only
improve the efficiency of the research process, but will also revolutionize the process that goes beyond
the intellectual activities of researchers themselves, such as the dramatic expansion of the scope of
research and the discovery and presentation of new hypotheses, and will replace some activities that
previously relied on individual intuition and experience. This will lead to the creation of high-impact
research results using data, and will also allow researchers to devote their valuable time to intellectual
activities with higher added value, such as planning research visions and setting hypotheses. At the sametime, it will contribute to the development of open science from a global perspective.
Furthermore, such changes in research activities and changes in employment practices throughout
Japan are changing the way researchers work. In Japan, an environment has been created in which various
entities can participate in and play an active role in research activities, such as the participation of citizens
in research as citizens cience and the freelancing of researchers, as already seen in other parts of theworld. While fostering a sense of trust between researchers and others, the sharing and integration ofknowledge will be promoted, and an environment will be created to realize new forms of value creation.
[Target]133

・ The management and utilization of research data based on open-and-close strategies, thedevelopment of world-class networks and computing resources, and the sharing and smartening offacilities and equipment will enable researchers to effectively access the knowledge and researchresources they need. This will accelerate high-value-added research such as data-driven research,and research activities will take place with the participation of diverse entities such as citizens.
[Key targets in science, technology, and innovation policies] (Key indicators)
By 2025, all of universities, inter-university research institutes, and national research and development
agencies witch have their institutional repositories will have 100% of their data policies in place. By
FY2023, 100% of new applications for open recruitment-type research funds 149 will have introduced adata management plan (DMP) and implemented a mechanism to assign metadata accompanying the
DMP.
[Current data] (Reference index)

・ Number of institutions among national research and development agencies that have formulated
research data policies: 24 institutions (FY2020)
・ Number of ministries and agencies/institutions that have introduced data management plans (DMP) forthe competitive research funding system: 9 ministries and agencies/institutions (FY2020)
・
・
・
・
・

Number of institutional repositories sites in Japan: 811 (FY2019)
The percentage of researchers who have published research data: 51.9% (FY2018)
The percentage of researchers who have published preprints: 20.4% (FY2020)
Available HPCI resources: 27.6 petaflops per year (FY2020)
Share of research facilities/equipment that are shared: among the ten equipment with a substantial
market size (purchased between FY2012 and FY2016) at universities and public research institutes,
90% of those purchased using competitive research funds were only used by individual researchers orindividual research laboratories. (FY2017)① Development of an environment to promote appropriate management and utilization of reliable
research data
Specific measures under the Basic
Analysis of implementationPlanstatus and current status○The government will continue to ・The entire operation of thedisseminate and publicize theresearch data infrastructure
research data infrastructure
system started in FY2020.
system (NII Research Data
・As a national-level data
Cloud), which started the entire
policy, the Integrated
operation in FY2020 as the core
Innovation Strategy
platform for the management
Promotion Council
and utilization of research data
formulated the Basicin Japan, and to make necessary
Concept on the Management
improvements. In addition, inand Utilization of Publicly
149

Future action policy
・We will promote themanagement and utilization ofresearch data by disseminating
and publicizing the researchdata infrastructure system andcarrying out the necessary
improvements anddevelopment. [STI, MEXT,
relevant ministries andagencies]

Under the Cross-ministerial Research and Development Management System (e-Rad) (https://www.e-rad.go.jp/dl_file/particulars_e-rad.pdf), research funds are provided through public invitation.
134

Specific measures under the Basic
Analysis of implementationPlanstatus and current statusorder to make wide-ranging use
Funded Research Data andof research data obtained
established common
through public funds by
metadata items.
industry, academia, andgovernment, the government
will promote the provision ofsystematic metadata 150 by
FY2023, and will establish asystem that can search for such
metadata on the research data
infrastructure system fromFY2023. In addition, in order tomake use of metadata for
EBPM, the government will
ensure interoperability with themodification of e-Rad.
Measures for securing asustainable management system
for research data infrastructure
systems will be examined by
FY2022.
[STI, MEXT,
relevant ministries andagencies]○In order to manage and utilize
・We are facilitating the
research data obtained with
development of a research
public funds in institutions,data policy in national
research and development
research and development
institutions such as universities,
agencies.
inter-university research institutecorporations, and national
research and development
agencies will formulate data
policies and promote theinclusion of research data in theinstitution repository. In
addition, in order to makeresearch data searchable on the
research data infrastructure
system, metadata will be added
to research data. [STI, MEXT,
relevant ministries and agencies]○A data management plan (DMP)
and a mechanism for providing
metadata linked to the DMP
will be introduced by FY2023
in order to manage and utilize
research data for all new
subscriptions of publicly
offered research funds.
Similarly, in the next SIP, DMP
150

・In order to promoteadvanced data management,
including the utilization ofresearch data generated
through publicly funded
research activities, we arepromoting advanced data
management, including theuse of the research data

Future action policy
・We will study measures toensure a sustainable operation
system for the research data
infrastructure system by
FY2022. [STI, MEXT
relevant ministries andagencies]
・In order to utilize metadata forevidence-based policymaking,the content of data linkage
will be examined inaccordance with the overhaulof e-Rad. [STI]・We will promote theformulation of data policies
by institutions that conduct
research and development
such as universities, interuniversity research institutes,
and national research anddevelopment agencies, and theinclusion of research data ininstitutional repositories. [STI,
MEXT, relevant ministries
and agencies]
・We will encourage researchers
to determine the scope of
research data to be managed
and used in accordance withthe data policy and to assign
metadata. [STI, MEXT,
relevant ministries andagencies]
・We will promote theintroduction of a mechanism
to formulate DMPs and assign
metadata linked to the DMPs
to all new applications ofopen recruitment-typeresearch funds by the end of
FY2023, and explanations torealize the implementation of

Systematic metadata refers to date that presents an overview of research data through a unified format and includes information suchas the name and explanation of research data, the administrator, storage place, and whether the data is shared or released. Integrated
Innovation Strategy 2020 (decided by the Cabinet on July 17, 2020) establishes the data policy at the national level.
135Specific measures under the Basic
Planwill be formulated andmetadata provided. [STI,
MEXT, relevant ministries andagencies]

Analysis of implementation
status and current status
infrastructure system in theMoonshot Research andDevelopment Program.

○By the end of FY2023, the・The research data
government will establish a
infrastructure system andsystem to mutually utilize data
data linkage infrastructure
between the Research and Datafor each field were
Infrastructure System and theexamined.
data collaboration infrastructure
in each field to be establishedby the research anddevelopment themes (SIP, etc.)
implemented by the Cabinet
Office. [STI, MEXT]○In order to promote the・In order to promote themanagement and utilization ofmanagement and utilization
research data by researchers, theof research data, thedirection of initiatives such as
government will organize aparticipation of data curators,
committee to discuss thelibrary staff, URA, those who
direction of initiatives for ahave retired from the front line
digital conversion inof research, human resources
libraries, etc. within thiswho have engaged in researchfiscal year.
related work at companies,
post-docs when contributing totheir own research activities,
etc., and digital conversion oflibraries will be determined by
FY2022. [STI, MEXT, relevant
ministries and agencies]
136

Future action policy
the scheme will be provided
in the guidelines. [STI,
MEXT, relevant ministries
and agencies]
・In the next SIP as well, DMPs
will be formulated andmetadata assigned. [STI]・ Japan Agency for Medical
Research and Development(AMED) is studying amechanism to safely andefficiently utilize qualitycontrolled data in industryacademia
researchanddevelopment as a platform forthe utilization of data obtained
from AMED-supported R&D
in order to extend healthy life
expectancy for citizens andprovide world-class medicalcare, and will aim for the earlycommencementof
its
operation.
[Healthcare,
MEXT, MHLW, METI]・We will promote
implementation of advanced
data management in theMoonshot Research andDevelopment Program. [STI]・The items and specificationsof cooperation between the
research data infrastructure
system and the data linkage
infrastructure in each field
will be examined. [STI,MEXT]

・At research and development
organizations, cases related tothe environment for
researchers to implement
research data management inaccordance with the data
policies, support systems, etc.
will be gathered, collected,
and horizontally deployed.
[STI, MEXT, relevant
ministries and agencies]

Specific measures under the Basic
Analysis of implementation
Future action policyPlanstatus and current status○The government will respect
・The G7 Open Science WG, ・At the G7, we will consider
free and open researchco-chaired by Japan and thepilot projects and otheractivities and promote
EU, will share best practices
initiatives to promote thecollaboration on thein each country.
management and utilization ofmanagement and utilization of・Japan and the EU areresearch data not only inresearch data with countries,
considering identifying
terms of interoperability ofregions, international
policies and technologicalinfrastructure systems but alsoorganizations, etc. (EU, G7,
issues of both parties inin terms of policies. [STI,
OECD, etc.) that share values
order to promote cooperation
MEXT]
with Japan. The government
among research data
・We will conduct a pilot
will aim to build a global
infrastructures.
project to verify
platform during the period ofinteroperability between thethis plan by promoting
EOSC in the EU and the NII
international collaboration
Research Data Cloud in
between Japan's research data
Japan, and pursue deeper
infrastructure systems andcollaboration step by step.
comparable initiatives and by[STI, MEXTs]
enhancing international
interoperability on the
management and utilization ofresearch data. [STI, MEXT]○From the perspective of further
・In the Moonshot Research・In order to introduce thepromoting efforts related to theand Development Program,status of efforts related to the
management and utilization of
we introduced the status ofmanagement and utilization ofresearch data, by 2022, thethe storage, sharing, andresearch data into thestatus of these efforts will be
disclosure of research data
evaluation system of
introduced into the evaluation
as a criterion for evaluation.
researchers, programs,
system of researchers,
institutions, etc., cases in the
programs, institutions, etc.
Moonshot Research and[STI, relevant ministries andDevelopment Program will beagencies]
collected, and specificevaluation items for SIP andother publicly invited researchfunds will be examined. [STI,
relevant ministries andagencies]② Infrastructure development to support research DX and acceleration of high-value-added
research
Specific measures under the Basic
Analysis of implementation
Future action policyPlanstatus and current status○In FY2022, the government will ・Regarding SINET, in
・In April 2022, in order tostrengthen the ultra-high speed
addition to strengthening theprovide the most advanced
and large capacity network that
network infrastructure toresearch and educational
connects the entire country
further improve research
environment as the next(SINET) as an academic
environment, the government
generation academic research
information infrastructure forwill promote to expand
platform, the ultra high-speed,
universities and researchfunctions as a comprehensive
large-capacity network
institutes in Japan. By operating
platform integrated with theinfrastructure (SINET) andSINET in an integrated manner
research data infrastructure
research data infrastructurewith the Research and Datasystem, while considering
will be integrated forInfrastructure System, thenot only the management anddevelopment and operation,
137

Specific measures under the Basic
Plan
government will provide themost advanced research andeducational environment. Also,
the government will continue topromote research anddevelopment of technologies
that support the academic
information infrastructure. By
FY2021, the government will
also consider measures todevelop an environment that canbe used not only as an academic
information infrastructure but
also in cooperation with theprivate sector as a social
infrastructure for universities
and research institutes. [STI,
MEXT]○With regard to supercomputing
resources from 2021, thegovernment will advance fullscale use of the supercomputer
Fugaku and will strengthen the
supercomputing resources ofdomestic universities andnational research anddevelopment agencies as astable computing base to meetthe diverse needs of researchers
nationwide. In addition, withregard to next-generation
computing resources, thegovernment will examine themthrough industry, academia,
and government cooperation,
taking into account thetechnologies in which Japanpossesses strength, anddetermine the direction of suchnext-generation computing
resources by FY2021. Based on
the results of such examination,
the government will implement
necessary measures. [MEXT,
relevant ministries andagencies]○With regard to research facilities
and equipment, the national
government will formulate
guidelines for the common useof research facilities andequipment by FY2021.
Research facilities andequipment that are versatile andof a certain size or larger will,in principle, be shared. In
addition, from FY2022,

Analysis of implementation
status and current status
utilization of research data
generated in various phasesof research activity but also
mesures to develop an
environment that can beutilized in collaboration withprivate sector as a social
infrastructure of Japan whereknowledge of universities,
etc. can be utilized.

Future action policy
and we will continue topromote their advancement
and the research anddevelopment of necessary
technologies. [MEXT]・The government will promote
the dissemination andimprovement of the researchdata infrastructure, andconsider ways to utilize theknowledge of universities andother organizations as Japan'ssocial infrastructure. [STI,MEXT]

・In March 2021, we began
the shared use of thesupercomputer Fugaku,
ahead of the original targetof starting sharing in
FY2021.
・In November 2020,
discussions began on Japan's
next-generation computing
infrastructure.

・In addition to steadily
operating the supercomputer
Fugaku, for which shared use
began in March 2021, thegovernment will promoteresearch and development toaccelerate the creation of
results and improve the usage
environment so that thecomputer can respond flexibly
to social and scientificchallenges facing Japan.
[MEXT, relevant ministries
and agencies]
・By the end of FY2021, thegovernment will examine how
Japan's next-generation
computing resources shouldbe, and promptly implement
necessary measures, such as
surveys and research based on
the future direction ofcomputing resources. [MEXT,
relevant ministries andagencies]

・Deliberations were held at
the council to formulate
guidelines and guidebooks
for the development andsharing of research facilities
and equipment atuniversities, etc.
・A project was launched toestablish a one-stop system
for responding to user needs
and inquiries from all over・We will promote the activities
listed in the Basic Plan. [STI,
MEXT, relevant ministries andagencies]
・In order to accelerate thesharing of research facilities
and equipment, we will
formulate guidelines for thedevelopment and sharing ofresearch facilities andequipment, such as the138Specific measures under the Basic
Plan
universities and public research
institutes will formulate andpublicize policies for theinternal and external sharing ofresearch facilities andequipment. In addition, when
applying for research funds,
research institutes will closely
examine whether inefficientresearch facilities andequipment have been installedfrom the viewpoint of optimal
management of the entire
organization. Through these
efforts, a framework for the
introduction, renewal, andutilization of organizational
research facilities (corefacilities) will be established.
With regard to major researchfacilities and equipment alreadyinstalled in Japan, cooperation
between facilities andequipment will be promoted. A
framework for one-stop
response to needs and inquiries
from various parts of thecountry will be started during
FY2021 and completed by
FY2025. In addition, thegovernment will promote thesteady development andutilization of next-generationsynchrotron radiation facilities,
which are currently being
constructed through a publicprivate framework, and will
systematically develop sharedfacilities and equipment such aslarge-scale research facilities,
universities, and national
research and development
agencies, including remote andsmart facilities. [STI, MEXT,
relevant ministries andagencies]e○In order to advance data-driven
research, by FY2023, thegovernment will develop aplatform for the creation andsharing of high-quality data in
the field of materials, andconduct trial operations.
Similarly, in the field of life
sciences, the government will
promote the strategic andsystematic development ofAnalysis of implementation
status and current status
Japan.
・A budget for smart andremote research facilities
and equipment wasallocated.
・The development of nextgeneration synchrotron
radiation facilities started in
FY2019 in accordance withthe division of roles between
the public-private regional
partnership. As of the end of
May 2021, the basic building
construction progress rate
was about 51%.
・SPring-8, SACLA, and JPARC are widely used byresearchers in industry,
academia, and government
as specific advanced largescale research facilities.
・In February 2021, The
Council for Science,
Technology, and Academia
formulated the “Future of
Quantum Beam Facilities
Taking a Panoramic
Perspective of Japan(summary)" in February
2021 (sorting out issues
surrounding quantum beamfacilities taking a panoramic
perspective of Japan basedon domestic and overseas
trends, andrecommendations on
strengthening cooperation
among facilities, DX of
facilities, necessity of
medium- to long-term
development plans, etc.)
・We are promoting remote andsmart initiatives at RIBF, alarge-scale research facility.
・We initiated thedevelopment of
infrastructure for thecreation, accumulation andutilization of high-quality
material data.
・We are promoting efforts forthe construction of
genome/data infrastructures.
・We are promoting strategic
and systematic development
139

Future action policy
sharing of general purpose
research facilities andequipment larger than acertain size in principle.
[MEXT]
・We will promote theestablishment of a framework
for the introduction, renewal,
and utilization oforganizational researchfacilities (making them corefacilities). [MEXT]・By the end of FY2021, we will
begin to establish a system torespond to inquiries and needsfrom all over Japan in a onestop manner. [MEXT]・Steady progress is being madein the development of nextgeneration synchrotron
radiation facilities, with theaim of starting operations in
FY2023, in accordance withthe division of roles between
the public-private regional
partnership. [MEXT]
・We will steadily promote thesharing of quantum beamfacilities such as SPring-8,
SACLA, and J-PARC, as wellas promoting inter-facility
cooperation and efforts
toward remote and smart
facilities. [MEXT]

・In a wide range of fields,
including materials, life
sciences, and the global
environment, we will promoteresearch DX by strengthening
efforts to strategically collect,
share, and utilize researchdata using advanced sharedfacilities and large-scale
research facilities nationwide,
promoting AI and data-driven

Specific measures under the Basic
Analysis of implementationPlanstatus and current status
information infrastructure,of biological genetic
including genome data, which isresources.
the basis of data-driven
・In order to promote dataresearch, and biological genetic
driven research, we areresources. In addition, thecreating the global
government will also develop an
environment big data
environment for the promotion(prediction information, etc.)
of data-driven research in theand promoting thefields of environment, energy,
enhancement of the usage
oceans, and disaster prevention.
environment of theAdditionally, the government
information infrastructure
will advance the development of(the DIAS) that can utilize
an environment in which
this data.
information related to research
・In FY2021, we launched an
outcomes such as literature
initiative to promote theincluding preprints can becreation of ultra-energywidely used, as well assaving, high-performanceaccelerate research on
power electronics devices
mathematics and informationthat will support carbon
science and technology,
neutrality in 2050.
including the basic fields (OS,・We are establishing andprogramming, security,
strengthening remote shared
databases, etc.) that support
infrastructure for data andsuch research. [MEXT, METI]
computing resources as DX
infrastructure in the oceanicand disaster prevention
fields.

140

Future action policy
research, and accelerating
research in mathematical andinformation science andtechnology, including thefundamental fields that
support them. [MEXT]・With regard to the Material
DX Platform to be developed,
we plan to implement AI
analysis functions and develop
advanced shared facilities andequipment that can obtainhigh-quality data. We alsoplan to conduct materials
informatics (MI) research andexpand it nationwide.
[MEXT]・In order to promote datadriven research, we willcontinue to promote thestrategic and systematicdevelopment of biologicalgenetic resources. [MEXT]・In order to further sophisticate
the manufacturing processes,
which are the source ofJapan’s competitive power inthe materials industry as wellas an important element foreconomic security, we will
promote the development offundamental technologies ofprocess informatics using AI
models and simulations that
contribute to the improved
performance of functional
chemicals and ultra-reliableceramics. At the same time,
we will develop hubs where
we can collect manufacturing
process data end-to-end in ahigh-throughput manner, inorder to support development
at small and medium-sizedcompanies. [METI]・From the perspective of
decarbonization and datadriven research promotion, we
will promote research anddevelopment by specifying thetechnological issues thatshould be focused on among
important technology andpackaging areas. [MEXT,
METI]
・In addition to developing
unmanned technologies forSpecific measures under the Basic
Plan○New analytical methods andindicators for changes in
research activities through DX
will be developed on the basisof the experimental measures
implemented in FY2020, andtheir upgrading and monitoring
will be implemented fromFY2021. [MEXT]

Analysis of implementation
status and current status

Future action policy

observation in the vast oceanssurrounding our country, theproject also plans to collectbig data's from sea surface,underwater, deep waters,
seabed, etc., and to share themand collaborate with data fromother fields. Through these
efforts, Japan will accelerate
efforts to realize DX in themaritime field, including thepromotion of data-driven
research that will contribute to
the response to climatechange, the safety and securityof citizens, and thedevelopment of marine
resources. [MEXT]
・To contribute to innovation
utilizing mathematicalscience, we will promoteinternational brain circulation
with highly skilled
mathematical humanresources. [MEXT]・In order to promote datadriven research, thegovernment will draw
conclusions by the end of2021 on measures to further
strengthen data platforms forthe humanities and social
sciences, and promote
necessary measures.
(Restated) [MEXT]
・A bird's-eye survey on
・We will continue to conduct
preprint server usage wassurveys on the actual state of
conducted and published inopen science, including theAugust 2020 151.
disclosure and sharing of・We conducted a questionnaire
research data and the use of
survey on the use of preprints
preprint servers. [MEXT]
and announced the results in ・We will continue to collect andFebruary 2021 152.
analyze data on major preprint
・We conducted surveys onservers and study indicators.
open science, including[MEXT]
disclosure and sharing ofresearch data 153.
・We conducted preprint
analysis on COVID-19 twice151

National Institute for Science and Technology Policy, Analysis of Preprints on arXiv (Discussion Paper 187, August 2020)

152

National Institute for Science and Technology Policy, Survey on Utilization and Perception of Preprints (Research Materials 301,

February 2021)
153

National Institute of Science, Technology, and Science Policy, A Survey on Open Research Data and Open Access 2018 (ResearchMaterials 289, May 2020)141Specific measures under the Basic
Plan

Analysis of implementation
status and current status
in FY2020 154.

Future action policy③ Creation of a new research community and environment pioneered by research DX
Specific measures under the Basic
Analysis of implementationPlanstatus and current status○The government will promote
・Discussions are underway
research activities such as theon how to co-create withcreation and fusion ofdiverse entities thatknowledge by co-creating with
contribute to the promotion
various entities such as local
of research activities such as
governments, NPOs and NGOs,
the creation and fusion ofsmall and medium-sizedknowledge.
enterprises and start-ups,
freelance researchers, andcitizen participation. In
addition, the government will
implement the development ofan environment that encourages
the participation of various
entities as a new science,technology, and innovation
policy formulation process as abottom-up approach by industry,
academia, and government,such as the launch of citizen
science research projects that
expect the participation of many
citizens by collecting many
samples and conducting
scientific experiments thatcannot be realized byresearchers alone (on a scale of
10,000 people, with theassumption that it will start by
FY2022). [STI, MEXT].

Future action policy
・We will accelerate efforts forco-creation by diverse entities
and promote research
activities such as the creationand integration of knowledge
through opportunities such as
Science Agora 155. [STI,MEXT](3)Promoting university reform and enhancing functions for strategic management[Ideal vision and direction toward its realization]
In order to overcome the high level of uncertainty in society by utilizing a rich knowledge base, wewill not aim for the same ideal for all universities in the future. Instead, we will aim for the formationof a diverse group of universities by developing individual strengths and clarifying the missions that areappropriate for each university. This will enable people to choose universities based on the added value
they provide, such as the content of education and research and the environment. Universities will
154

National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, Summary of research status on COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 through aninternational data around journals and preprints (Research Materials 181, May 2020) and National Institute of Science and Technology
Policy, A Trial of early detection system for research trends through the preprints data ─ Research status around COVID-19 / SARSCoV-2 (Discussion Paper 186, June 2020)
155

An event sponsored by Japan Science and Technology Agency. An open forum aimed at deepening the relationship between scienceand society. (About Science Agora (Japan Science & Technology Agency) (https://www.jst.go.jp/sis/scienceagora/about/))
142

support individual self-realization based on diverse values and enrich people's lives and lifestyles.
Universities will also create new social reforms by allowing human resources to flow freely in responseto changes in the times and the needs of organizations and individuals. At the same time, in the midst of
the diversification of universities, we aim to further promote the growth of research universities thatrank among the world's leading research universities and to strengthen their outstanding researchcapabilities.
For this reason, in order to realize an environment where national universities, in particular, canexercise their individuality and potential more effectively, we will boldly shift from governance centeredon the relationship with Japan from which national university budget subsides are allocated, togovernance that fulfills accountability and outcome accountability not only to Japan but also to many
stakeholders, including students, graduates, researchers, industry, and the region. We will also create anenvironment in which universities, as national partners, expand their discretion and engage in constantdialogue with society. By doing so, we will aim not only conduct advanced education and research as afoundation for national and regional knowledge, but will also expand its functions, such as providing
new value creation services that make the most of its intellectual assets.
In doing so, the mission of research universities, which rank among the world's research universities,
and those that become the hubs for regional revitalization 156, inevitably lead to differences in related
stakeholders, financial structures, relationships with Japan, and optimal management systems, due to thedifferences in their missions. In particular, for the former, bold university reforms will be implemented
to realize a robust governance system, and a solid financial foundation will be built through suchmeasures as significantly expanding private funds to realize a world-class research environment andsalary levels, supporting the establishment of a new University Endowment Fund, and enhancing
universities' voluntary funds.
On the other hand, universities that are expected to play a role as hubs for regional revitalization will
expand the acceptance of people in the workforce who support local industries, create innovation by
utilizing the latest knowledge and technology and matching human resources in different fields, support
the improvement of productivity in local industries, secure positions and develop an environment where
young researchers can gain experience. Through these efforts, we will aim for the development of
ecosystems that will attract investment from regions and companies and lead to the prosperity of regions
and universities will be promoted. In addition, we will promote activities in which multiple national,
public and private universities and research institutes collaborate.
National research and development agencies will fulfill their responsibilities in accordance with theirrespective missions and characteristics, secure a variety of financial resources, including private funds
and donations, through active coordination and cooperation with external organizations, and steadily
maximize of R&D results while strengthening their financial bases.
[Target]・ A diverse and unique group of universities will support individual self-realization, enrich people's
156

Universities that are leading the way in solving regional problems such as population decline, job creation, and the development ofdigital human resources.
143

lives and lifestyles, and a knowledge base, including outstanding research capabilities, will drive
new social changes.
[Key targets in science, technology, and innovation policies] (Key indicators)
・ Acceptance of joint research from private companies by universities and national research anddevelopment agencies: increase by approximately 70% over FY2018 by FY2025 ()・Increase rate of revenue from donations of national university corporations: annual average increaseof 5% from FY2021 to FY2025[Current data] (Reference index)

・ Annual average rate of increase in revenue from donations of national university corporations
between FY2007 and FY2018: 1.3%
・ Acceptance of joint research from private companies by universities and national research anddevelopment agencies: 88.2 billion yen (FY2018)
・ Current expenditure growth rates at major universities from FY2005 to FY2019 (excluding hospital
expenses): University of Tokyo (1.7%), Kyoto University (2.0%), Osaka University (1.7%), Tohoku
University (1.1%); Reference: Stanford University (6.4%)① Transformation of national university corporations into truly corporate management
Specific measures under the
Analysis of implementation status
Future action policy
Basic Plan
and current status○The government will review
・In reviewing the modality of・With regard to the National
the ideal medium-term
the mid-term targets, theUniversity Corporation
target in order to shift fromgovernment will coordinate theGovernance Code, we willa pre-management system
modality of the mid-term targets
continue to confirm reports on
based on regulations to aduring the Fourth Medium-term
the status of compliance,
post-implementation check
Objectives Period with relevant
while obtaining opinions fromsystem to a trueorganizations, based on the final
the expert committee. We will
management system as areport of the Study Group on
also review the Governancestrategic organization that
the Realization of Strategic
Code as necessary. [MEXT]
continues to grow as aManagement of National
driving force for social
University Corporations.
change for the fourth・With regard to the evaluation of
medium-term target period.
national university corporations,
In addition, the government
the National University
will abolish the annual
Corporation Act was amended
evaluation of corporationsin the ordinary session of theby the national government
Diet in 2021, and the annual
every fiscal year and review
evaluation was abolished and athe system to evaluate
system was introduced tobusiness performance overevaluate business performancea period of six years inover six years.
principle. At the same time, ・In February 2021, all national
the government will
university corporations
confirm reports on
published reports oncompliance with thecompliance with the National
National University
University Corporation
144

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
Corporation Governance
Code 157 published by eachnational university
corporation, ensuretransparency in the state ofuniversity management anddecision-making
mechanisms, and fulfill
accountability to relevant
parties. [MEXT]

Analysis of implementation status
and current status
Governance Code. In March
2021, the Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology
conducted a review of the
published reports based on theopinion of an expert committee,
and disseminated the results of
the review and a collection ofcase studies that would serve asa reference in reporting thecompliance status for thefollowing fiscal year andbeyond.

Future action policy② Deregulation to support strategic management
Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
○From the fourth mediumterm target period, thegovernment will eliminate
the involvement of thepresident in the university
president selection
committee and clarify thecheck-and-balance functionof the university president
selection committee. At thesame time, the government
will implement changes inthe student quota ofnational university
corporations, simplificationof organizational
restructuring procedures,and flexible quota
management and tuition
fees to secure excellent
foreign students.
[MEXT]

157

Analysis of implementation status
and current status
・In the ordinary session of theDiet in 2021, the National
University Corporation Act wasamended with the following
contents.
The president may not be added
to the members of theuniversity president selection
council.
- Auditors are required to reportto the university president
selection council in addition
to the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology and the president
him/herself when they findthat the president has
committed misconduct orviolated laws and regulations.
- The university president
selection council shall be able
to request the university
president to report on thestatus of his/her duties when
the council receives the above
report from the auditors or
when the council finds thatthe president may fall under
the requirements for
dismissal.
The name of the university
president selection council

Future action policy・In order to secure excellent
foreign students at national
universities, the quota forgraduate schools will be set,
and the Ministerial Ordinancewill be revised by the end of
FY2021 in order to make thetuition fee for foreign students
more flexible. [MEXT]
・Reorganization procedures atnational universities will be
simplified for faculties anddepartments in the event thatthe total number of admission
capacity does not increase
without changing the field of
academic degrees. These
procedures will be
implemented starting with thecases scheduled to open in
FY2022. [MEXT]

code that serves as a basic principle for national university corporations to further enhance their functions while controlling their own

management, in order to enhance their management transparency, strengthen their educational, research, and social contributionfunctions, and continue to fulfill their roles in response to changes in society.
145Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

○By FY2025, the government
will expand preferential
treatment in the tax systemfor donations to universities
and encourage universities toexpand their own financial
resources.
[STI, MEXT]

Analysis of implementation status
Future action policy
and current status
shall be the University
President Selection andInspection Council.
・Regarding the tax system for
・The government will promote
donations to national university
the application of the system
corporations, the tax system
by publicizing the contents of
was revised to allow individual
the revisions, and verify the
donations to educational
effects of the revisions
support projects and research
quantitatively. [STI, MEXT]
support projects conducted bynational university
corporations, etc. to be subject
to tax credits, and to relax therequirements for approval oftax exemption of deemed
capital gains tax for donations
in kind to national university
corporations, etc.
・An expert panel will discuss
・Discussions will be held withrevisions to accounting
relevant ministries andstandards, such as a review ofagencies based on discussions
the presentation of profit andat by the expert panel on theloss statements and arevision of accounting
mechanism to set aside funds
standards. The review of thefor the replacement and renewal
purpose reserve will beof facilities, in order to makecontinued. [MEXT]
them easier to understand fromthe perspective of various
stakeholders.

○The accounting standards fornational university
corporations will be revisedso that they can be easily
understood from theviewpoints of various
stakeholders. At the sametime, a mechanism will beestablished to strategicallyaccumulate various financial
resources acquired bynational university
corporations, and theobjective reserves will berevised so that they can be
carried over to the next
medium-term target period.
[MEXT]○The government will enable
・Discussions were held at thestable financial
Review Conference for the
management by further
Realization of Strategic
expanding and extending
Management of National
the scope of bond-issuing
University Corporations
projects by national
regarding the expansion of theuniversities and thescope of projects for whichredemption period,
bonds are issued by national
diversifying the financial
university corporations and thesources for redemption andredemption period.
by promoting discussions
on making the use ofindirect expenses of publicresearch funds more
flexible (such as using
them for medium-to longterm funding and facility
renewal) for the fourth
medium-term target period.
[STI, MEXT]

146

・The government will continue
to consider expanding thescope of projects for which
national university
corporations can issue bonds
and the redemption period,
based on the final report of
the Review Conference for
the Realization of Strategic
Management of National
University Corporations heldin December 2020. [MEXT]

Specific measures under the
Analysis of implementation status
Basic Plan
and current status○At the university support
・We are implementing concreteforum PEAKS by university
measures for horizontal
officials, industry, and thedeployment of good practices
government, management
leading to the creation ofissues at universities andinnovation, examination ofsolutions thereof will bederegulation, etc., and training
discussed in detail,of university management.
horizontal development of・Taking into account discussions
good practices leading to theat the Ministry of Education,
creation of innovation,
Culture, Sports, Science andconsideration ofTechnology based on the
deregulation, andrecommendations of PEAKS,
development of university
measures are being consideredmanagement will be
to expand the management
promoted. The government
discretion of national university
will also promptly consider
corporations toward the Fourth
proposals for deregulation
Medium-term Objectives
from the field and implement
Period for national universities
necessary policies. [STI,from FY2022, including the
MEXT, METI.]
review of accounting standards.

Future action policy
・In conjunction with theestablishment of University
Endowment Fund, thegovernment will focus on theactivities of working groups
which disseminate
recommendations onnecessary institutional reforms
and overseas training
programs, and will further
promote the study of
deregulation and thedevelopment of university
management. [STI, MEXT,
METI]
・Based on discussions at the
Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology in light of therecommendations of PEAKS,
a conclusion will be reachedby the end of FY2021 on
measures that will enable theexpansion of management
discretion of national
university corporations, suchas the review of accounting
standards, toward the Fourth
Medium-term Objectives
Period for national
universities from FY2022.
[MEXT]③ Creation of a 10 trillion yen University Endowment Fund
Specific measures under the
Analysis of implementation status
Basic Plan
and current status○In order to overcome the・In order to establish thecurrent situation of declining
University Endowment Fundinternationalwith a scale of 10 trillion yen,competitiveness andthe Act on Japan Science andweakening financial base ofTechnology Agency, National
Japanese universities, and to
Research and Development
further fulfill the role ofAgency was revised in the 204
universities, which should be
ordinary session of the Diet,
the core of the innovation
and as a part of resources of
ecosystem, such as
this fund, government secured
producing human resources
500 billion yen as forthat meet social needs,
investment (the third
creating research results at
supplementary budget of
the global level, and creating
FY2020) and 4 trillion yen for
university-based start-ups
loan (the initial plan amount ofthat lead social change, bold
fiscal investment and loan
investments will be made toprogram of FY2021) to apan
construct a research
Science & Technology Agency
infrastructure at the global(JST).
147

Future action policy
・With a view to establishing a
University Endowment
Fund, the government willsummarize an interim reportby around the summer of2021 on the requirements
and necessary reforms
required for research
universities that are on a parwith the world. The
government will also
compile a conclusion on a
new legal framework by theend of 2021 and submit it to
the next ordinary Diet
session.
In addition, the BasicApproach to Investment
Policy of University

Specific measures under the
Basic Planlevel using unprecedented
methods. Specifically, thegovernment will construct
the innovation ecosystem ofJapan by providing longterm and stable support forthe development of sharedfacilities and datacollaboration infrastructure
for universities that conduct
research and development at
a level comparable to that of
the world, and thedevelopment of young
human resources, byrealizing a fund of
approximately 10 trillion
yen at an early date andutilizing its investment
profits. 158 In participating inthis fund, the government
will seek commitment touniversity reforms, such as
autonomous management
and responsible governance,and contribution to the fund.
It will also review related
existing projects. In
addition, the government
will introduce mechanisms
such as increasing theacquisition of external funds
and reserving a portion of
the funds to the fund fromthe viewpoint of theparticipating universities
aiming at managing the fundwith their own funds in the
future.. [STI, METI]

Analysis of implementation status
and current status

Future action policy
Endowment Fund toward
Building World-classResearch Universities will
be formulated around thesummer of 2021, and the
management will begin by
the end of FY2021. Also,
based on the system designof university reforms, etc.,
an expansion of the
University Endowment
Fund to the will be
expanded to the scale of 10
trillion yen by the end of
FY2021. [STI, MEXT]④ Diversification of public funds and governance to support university foundations
Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
○With regard to the allocationof national university
corporation operating
expense subsidies in
FY2021, the scale of theallocation based on the158

Analysis of implementation status
and current status
・For allocations of national
university budget subsidies
based on performanceindicators such as research andeducation, the target amountfor allocations and the range of

Future action policy
・We will reach a conclusion by
the end of FY2021 on the
allocation mechanism for the
new mechanism for national
university corporation
national university budget

The funds for major universities in the world include Harvard University (about 4.,5 trillion yen), Yale University (about 3.3 trillionyen), Stanford University (about 3.1 trillion yen) and other universities in the United States (about 65 trillion yen), Cambridge
University (about 1.0 trillion yen), Oxford University (about 820 billion yen) and others.
* 2019 figures for each university and 2017 figures for the total for U.S. universities (latest values for each)148

Specific measures under the
Analysis of implementation status
Basic Plan
and current status
performance indicators forfluctuations were increased inresearch and education will
the FY2021 budget.
be increased to make theallocation more varied. In
addition, new allocation
rules for national university
corporation operating
expense subsidies will be
introduced and evaluatedevery fiscal year to make theallocation more varied forthe fourth medium-termtarget period. For example,
the common performanceindicators will be carefully
revised to be more objective
and quantitative by utilizing
e-CSTI, etc., while taking
into account the missions ofeach university such as
world-class research
universities and universities
that will be hubs for regional
revitalization. [MEXT]○With regard to national・Based on the final report of theuniversities, new legal
Review Conference for theframeworks for realizing
Realization of Strategic
world-class research
Management of National
universities will be examined
University Corporations
by the end of FY2021, and areleased in December 2020, theconclusion will be reached.
National University
These include a system toCorporation Act was amended
check the selection method
during the ordinary session ofand execution of university
the Diet in 2021 to improve thepresidents to realize strategic
governance of national
management, a salary anduniversity corporations andevaluation system to invite
expand the scope ofworld-class researchersinvestments.
through a non-national
government employee-typesalary system, autonomous
management and decisionmaking of student quotas andtuition fees, a new financial
and accounting system topromote strategic
management, and a uniquegovernment management
and evaluation system. [STI,MEXT]○In order to introduce a salary ・Based on the Method ofsystem that is not based on
Publication of Remuneration,
public service standards oretc. of Officers andseniority-based systems,
Remuneration Levels ofsuch as the assignment of
Employees of National
professionals who are
University Corporations, etc.
required to support the(Guidelines) every fiscal year,
149

Future action policy
subsidies toward the Fourth
Medium-term Objectives
Period. [MEXT]・In light of trends in theestablishment of University
Endowment Fund, thegovernment will consider a
new legal framework suitable
for a "business entity thatshoulders the public" and willdraw a conclusion by the endof FY2021. [STI, MEXT]

・Consideration will be given to
how to describe the results ofverification of the validity ofsalary levels foradministrative and technicalemployees at national

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
strategic management of
national university
corporations according totheir advanced specializedskills and abilities, thegovernment will consider
how to verify the salarylevels of national
university corporation
employees. In addition,national university
corporations will actively
promote equal personnel
exchanges not only withother universities
companies, as well as otheruniversities, anddigitalization of university
management in order topromote the careerdevelopment andenhancement of expertiseof employees who support
such management. [STI,
MEXT]○With regard to the facilities
of national university
corporations, etc. (meaning
national university
corporations, interuniversity research institutecorporations, and national
institutes of technology; thesame shall apply
hereinafter), the government
will aim to realize theInnovation Commons 159, abase where all players can
co-create in all fields and inall scenes by organicallycooperating with the entire
campus. The government
will formulate a facility
development plan for theentire national university
corporations, etc.,
incorporating such
viewpoints, and provide
continuous support. In
addition, planned andfocused facility
development will be
159

Analysis of implementation status
and current status
the validity of salary levels foradministrative and technicalstaff at national university
corporations is verified andannounced.

・Discussions were held at theConference of ResearchPartners on Future
Improvement of Facilities for
National University
Corporations established inJune 2019, and the final report
was published in December.
・Based on the final report of theConference of Research andDevelopment Collaborators on
Future Improvement ofFacilities of National
University Corporations, etc.,
the Fifth Five-Year Plan for the
Improvement of Facilities of
National University
Corporations, etc. (decided by
the Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology on March 31,2021) was formulated, which
covers the period from FY2021
to FY2025.

Future action policy
university corporations. [STI,MEXT]・Assistance will be provided
for the development offacilities for the realization of
an Innovation Commons
implemented by national
university corporations
through the use of facilities
improvement grants andvarious financial resources.
[MEXT]

Innovation Commons is a campus where students, researchers, industry, local governments, and various other players can freely

gather, interact, and create new value through face-to-face and online exchanges in various fields and situations such as education,
research, industry-academia collaboration and regional collaboration.
150

Specific measures under the
Basic Planpromoted through strategic
facility development andfacility management carriedout by national university
corporations, etc. [MEXT]○With regard to private
universities, the government
will make a more balanced
allocation of private school
subsidies, etc. so that theycan engage in high-quality
education and researchutilizing the spirit ofestablishment and thecharacteristics of private
schools. [MEXT]

Analysis of implementation status
and current status

Future action policy

・With regard to current
・The government will continue
expenditure subsidies forto allocate funds in financial
private universities, etc., theaid to private educational
improvement of the quality of
institutions and other areas ineducation will be promoted
a balanced manner. [MEXT]
through the well-balanced
allocation of funds through thefull-scale introduction of
objective indicators related tothe quality of education,
including outcome indicators.
In addition, against the
backdrop of a declining
population, declining birthrate
and aging population, as well associoeconomic globalization,
Japan will provide intensive
support to universities, etc. thatare engaged in reforms thatmake use of their own
characteristics, taking into
account issues that Japan istackling, such as the realizationof Society 5.0 and thepromotion of regional
revitalization.
○In order to increase the value ・We will promote the・We will further promote theof universities as investment
introduction of university IR
spread of university IR
targets and to effectively
systems at universities to build
systems through lateral
allocate resources within
a foundation for university
deployment of good practices
universities, the government
management through activities
in PEAKS, etc., such as thewill promote thesuch as the Leaders´ Forum on
use of such systems to build
introduction of an university
Promoting the Evolution ofuniversity management
institutional research (IR)Academia for Knowledge
foundations. [STI, MEXT]
system, which visualizes
Society PEAKS.
・With regard to functions forresearch seeds, human・Regarding matching withmatching corporate needs,
resources, and othercorporate needs, theissues and solutions up to theresources possessed by
implementation of functions to
implementation stage will beuniversities, throughrealize such needs and theirarranged based on theactivities such as theintroduction to universities andaccumulation of trial
university support forum
companies are future issues.
examples. [STI, MEXT]PEAKS, and will promote
the matching with corporateneeds and the constructionof a strategic university
management base. [STI,MEXT]○In order to strengthen
・We will review and strengthen
・In order to enable eachresearch capabilities at
the Ministry of Education,
university to demonstrate their
universities, from FY2021,
Culture, Sports, Science andstrengths and characteristics
MEXT will review andTechnology's organizations andin accordance with the151Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
strengthen its organizationand systems, and will
strategically andcomprehensively promotemeasures for researchpersonnel, funds,
environment, etc. atnational, public, and private
universities throughout theperiod of the Sixth Basic
Plan. [MEXT]

Analysis of implementation status
and current status
systems.

Future action policy
accumulation of knowledge
and the actual conditions of
the region towards
strengthening university
research capabilities, thegovernment will promote
efforts to make national,
public, and private
universities, etc. the core of an
innovation ecosystem bypromoting activities at worldclass research hubs,
establishing a platform for cocreation through industryuniversity cooperation, andsteadily developing researchfoundations. [MEXT]・For the review andstrengthening of organizations
and systems of the Ministry of
Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology from2021, we will strategicallyand comprehensively study
measures for researchpersonnel, funds,
environment, etc. such as
establishing the Office forStrengthening University
Research Capabilities(tentative name) within the
Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology anew. [MEXT]・・In order to contribute to therevitalization of regions andthe enhancement of researchcapabilities of Japan as awhole, a package for thepromotion of regional
universities will be formulatedwith the aim of strengthening
universities, and regional
universities were establishedas bases for co-creation. At
the same time, research anddevelopment that leads tofostering human resourcesthat are sought by the region
and the resolution of issues
faced by the region, andvarious research activities thatmake use of their strengths,
will be promoted. [MEXT]⑤ Strengthening the functions and financial bases of national research and development agencies
152

Specific measures under the
Analysis of implementation status
Basic Plan
and current status○The government shall・At the ordinary session of theendeavor to improve
Diet in 2020, the Act on theinvestment items, taking
Vitalization of the Creation of
into account the opinions
Science, Technology, andof each corporation, so that
Innovation was amended tonational research andexpand the number of researchdevelopment agencies canand development agencies that
fulfill their responsibilities
can invest in businesses thatand operate and manage
utilize the results of research andoperations effectively anddevelopment, and to allow joint
efficiently in order toresearch to be conducted by
maximize research andbusinesses to which the researchdevelopment results. It
and development corporations
shall also promote
invest.
necessary measures to
・In FY2020, the Ministry ofenable national research
Education, Culture, Sports,
and development agencies
Science and Technology held
to strengthen their financial
seminars for self-financing forbase, such as promoting
national research andjoint research with private
development agencies.
companies. In addition,
specific national researchand development agencies
shall create the world's
highest level of researchand development results
and serve as the coreorganizations that strongly
drive innovation systems.
[STI, relevant ministries
and agencies]

153

Future action policy
・We will disseminate goodpractices on the simplificationof national research anddevelopment agencies'
acceptance of donations andpromote strengthening of theirfinancial base. [STI, relevant
ministries and agencies]
・A symposium will be held topromote open innovation at
national research anddevelopment agencies. [STI]3. Education and human resources fostering to realize the well-being of individuals and the challenges
they face[Ideal vision and direction toward its realization]
We aim to develop human resources who will pursue diverse happiness and confront challenges byhoning and enhancing the abilities and qualities that can be acquired through investigative activities,
which are important in the Society 5.0 era and which identify issues and seek solutions.
For this reason, children and students will be able to draw out their own "Why?" "Why?" from theelementary and secondary education stages, and realize learning based on curiosity. This is the processof scientific research that has supported the prosperity of humankind, and these efforts are the learning
itself to develop the ability to inquire to confront problems through trial and error.
In this process, we will promote cooperation between school education and society by utilizing local
human resources. For example, we will encourages the participation of frontline researchers andentrepreneurs in educational settings, and increases students' curiosity by providing them with more
opportunities to experience "first class" and "genuine" articles. Cooperation between science,technology, and innovation policies and education policies can further enhance their effectiveness, andstrategic cooperation will be promoted. At the same time, through the use of DX and digital tools in thefield of education, we will provide each student with individually optimized and collaborativeeducational opportunities and reduce the excessive burden of teachers in the field of education. In
doing so, idealism and ideology should not be simply imposed on the education field, but rather theentire society, including industry and families, should support learning by reviewing the contents ofwork and cooperating with local communities.
Furthermore, at the higher education stage, along with the development of university groups asdiverse and unique knowledge bases, through the advancement of education in national institutes oftechnology, we will provide learning that meets the diverse needs of individuals and enrich people's
lives and living. In particular, from the perspective of creating innovation, in an age in which it is
impossible to predict the future, it will become more important to have skills to understand things frommultiple perspectives and solve problems, beyond what is called the humanities and science, andlearning that actively incorporates curricula and educational methods that enables students to acquire
such skills will be further activated.
In addition, by expanding opportunities for people in the workforce to learn again and supporting
individuals in their dual jobs, side jobs, and changing jobs, etc., the mobility of people with motivation
and abilities will be increased, and the circulation of knowledge as a society as a whole will be promoted,
leading to the creation of new value. To realize an environment in which an individual who so desires
can receive a variety and high-quality recurrent education in a double-track career path so that individual
abilities can be fully demonstrated even after he or she enters the workforce.
[Target]・ With the participation of various social actors, the ability to inquire is strengthened throughlearning based on curiosity.
・ Individuals will discover what they want to do, and continually improve their abilities and qualities
154

toward that goal.

[Key targets in science, technology, and innovation policies] (Key indicators)

・ By FY2025, the government will aim to increase the percentage of children and students who findarithmetic, mathematics, and science at the elementary and junior high school level to be fun, witha view to achieving an international level of excellence 160.

・ By FY2022, the number of adults in the workforce in recurrent education at universities, technicalcolleges, etc. shall be 1 million.
[Current data] (Reference index)

・ The percentage of children and students who find math, math and science fun: 77% in arithmetic(elementary school), 56% in mathematics (junior high school), 92% in science (elementary school)
and 70% in science (junior high school) (all figures from 2019) 161
・ Percentage of young people who want to contribute to society: 70.8% (FY2019) 162

・ Percentage of teachers with over 80 hours of overtime: 13.2% in elementary school, 27.5% in juniorhigh school, and 19.9% in high school (all figures from June 2019). 163
・ ICT environment improvement in schools: 60.0% of regular classrooms equipped with large bulletinboards, 64.8% with integrated school administration support systems, and 7.9% with digitaltextbooks for students (all figures from March 2020) 164
・ Percentage of employees taking leave for educational training: 8.5% (FY2019) 165
・ Number of career consultants: 59,557 (as of March 2021) 166① Enhancing the development of the ability to inquire by promoting STEAM education
Specific measures under the Basic Plan
Analysis of
Future action policy
implementation status
and current status○In order to promote STEAM・The new curriculum
・We will continue toeducation, in accordance with theguidelines for highdisseminate the new
new high school educational
schools, which will becurriculum guidelines for highguidelines, which will be fully
implemented annuallyschools. [MEXT]
160

According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Trends in International Mathematics and Science

Study (TIMSS 2019), the international average percentage of children and students who find arithmetic, mathematics, and science "fun"is 84% for elementary school arithmetic, 70% for junior high school mathematics, 86% for elementary school science, and 81% for juniorhigh school science.
161

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS2019)"
162

Cabinet Office, Survey on Awareness of Children and Young People (FY2019)"

163

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Survey on the State of Efforts by the Board of Education to Reform

Workstyles 2019164

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, FY2019 Survey on the State of Informatization in School Education

165

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Basic Survey of Capacity Development FY2019

166

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Number of Registered Career Consultants by Prefecture as of March 31, 2021
155Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Analysis of
implementation status
and current status
implemented annually from FY2022,
from FY2022, areefforts will be made to enhancebeing disseminatedlearning activities to discovernationwide.
problems and solve problems in
・In the SSH designated"science and mathematics
schools (2021: 218
exploration" and "time forschools), advanced
comprehensive research." In addition,science andoutstanding R&D will be promoted atmathematics education
Super Science High Schools (SSH) tois being tackled, andlead the reform of science andoutstanding researchtechnology human resourceand development aredevelopment systems. With a view tobeing promoted so as
disseminating and developing theto lead the science andresults of SSH R&D to date, efforts
technology humanwill be made to enhance andresources development
strengthen efforts that contribute tosystem reform.
the development of abilities through
STEAM education by establishing a
new system to certify high schools,
etc. with a certain level ofachievements by around FY2022, andby disseminating the system.
[MEXT]○The government will accelerate the・ The development ofdevelopment of the STEAM library ,STEAM libraries iswhich can be widely used inprogressing steadily.
elementary and secondary education
・We are organizing andin Japan. At the same time, thereviewingavailable
government will present model plans
educational content tofor educational content that can beenhance
STEAM
used in elementary and secondary
education.
education and disseminate it
throughout the country. In addition,in order to promote STEAM
education not only in elementary andsecondary education institutions but
also in society as a whole, in
FY2021, the government will
promote the horizontal development
and coordination of human resources,
knowledge, and content distributed
throughout the country in cooperation
with platforms established by
COCN . In addition, in order to create
educational content for elementaryand secondary education based onstate-of-the-art research content, thegovernment will consider measures
to incorporate research content into
teaching materials that stimulate theintellectual curiosity of children andstudents and are appropriate as
subjects, by FY2021, and draw
conclusions. [STI, MEXT, METI]○In order to greatly enhance the abilities ・In the Global Science
156

Future action policy

・We will active promote SSH
business and outstanding
R&D that leads science andtechnology human resources
development system reform
among designated schools.
[MEXT]
・We will design in detail asystem to certify high schools
with certain achievements in
the SSH project. [MEXT]・In order to enhance systematiclearning in math and scienceeducation at the compulsory
education stage, thegovernment will promote a
subject-based teacher
assignment system in theupper grades of elementary
school, including theexamination of the teacher'slicense system. [MEXT]・In order to enhance STEAM
education, we will consider
specific cooperation measures
for the learning ecosystem
supported by society as awhole. [STI, MEXT, METI]・In promoting STEAM
education, in cooperation with
COCN and the industry, we
will expand and refine theconstructed libraries andcontents, and promote thecreation and dissemination of
examples of utilization of thecontents by schools andteachers, aiming for
networking for teachers. [STI,
MEXT, METI]・In order to promote outreachactivities targeting students inresearch conducted withpublic funds, by the end of
FY2021, the government willconsider specific measuresand draw a conclusion. [STI,
MEXT, METI]・In order to develop theSpecific measures under the Basic Planof pupils and students withoutstanding intentions and abilities
and to develop the "stakes" that will
emerge, the government will enhance
opportunities for learning outside ofschools, such as joint training camps
and research presentations held byuniversities, private organizations,etc., and opportunities for students inJapan and overseas to develop theirabilities through friendly competition,such as support for international
science contests. [MEXT]○From the perspective of education
open to society, with a view toaccelerating efforts toward therealization of Society 5.0, while also
taking into account the latest
technology trends, the government
will establish a forum in CSTI to
study the development of students'
abilities to explore through STEAM
education and the promotion ofunderstanding of the importance of
STEAM education among society as
a whole. From FY2021, thegovernment will conduct surveys andstudies with the participation ofmembers of the Central Council for
Education, and will provide feedbackon the results of the study on policies
for science, technology, innovation,and education. [STI, MEXT]

Analysis of
implementation status
and current status
Campus (GSC) (forhigh school students)
and the junior doctor
training school (forelementary and juniorhigh school students),
we will continue tosupport universities
and other institutions
that discover a wide
range of students withoutstanding ambitions
and abilities in thecommunity andconduct advanced
practical lectures andresearch for selectedstudents throughout
the year. In FY2021,
14 GSCs and 30 juniordoctor training schools
were establishednationwide.
・ The government willcontinue to coordinate
with relevant ministries
and agencies to set up aforum for discussions.

Future action policy

abilities of those withoutstanding motivation andability, in FY2021, thegovernment will consider anddraw a conclusion on
effective cooperation
measures for measures thatare necessary from theelementary and secondary
education stage and measures
implemented by universities
and private companies. [STI,MEXT]
・By the end of FY2021, a panelof experts will be establishedunder the CSTI with theparticipation of members of
the Central Council for
Education, and studies will be
carried out to create an
educational environment forchildren with special talents todevelop their abilities. [STI,MEXT]・In FY2021, a panel of experts
will be established under the
CSTI with the participation ofmembers of the Central
Council for Education.
Members of the Industrial
Structure Council shallparticipate in the panel as
appropriate in order topromote cooperation with thebusiness community. [STI,
MEXT, METI]② Participation and utilization of external personnel and resources in learning
Specific measures under the Basic Plan
Analysis of
Future action policy
implementation status
and current status○In cooperation with local universities
・Under the Project for・We will compile examples ofand technology-related venture
Promotion of Higher
education and regional
companies, examples of educational
School Education
revitalization ecosystems
157

and human resource development
ecosystems that contribute to regional
revitalization, such as creating
opportunities for high school students
to actually experience research
activities, will be compiled by the endof 2021, and efforts will be promoted
by spreading them nationwide..
[MEXT]

Reform in Cooperation
contributing to fosteringwith Local
human resources by the end
Communities launchedof 2021. [MEXT]
in FY2019, we are
creating precedent
cases regarding
educational activities
in cooperation andcollaboration with
regional universities
and local
municipalities.
○In order to realize diverse school・Based on the Plan for・We will further promote theeducation that is open to society, thethe Recruitment anduse of the special part-timegovernment will further promote theQuality Improvement
lecturer system and special
use of the special part-time teacherof Teachers
licenses by disseminating
system and special license certificates
Responsible for a
information to local
by, for example, promoting the
Reiwa-style Japanese
governments, etc. [MEXT]
dissemination to local governments in
School Education 167
FY2021 of the Guidelines for thecompiled in January
Examination of Educational
2021, the guidelines on
Personnel pertaining to the granting
the examination forof special license certificates, which
educational staff
will be revised by the end of FY2020,
concerning theso that persons with a doctorate
granting of special
degree or persons with experience inlicenses were revised.
private enterprises with excellent
knowledge and experience can be
invited. [MEXT]○In FY2021, the government will・In order to conduct
・By the end of FY2021, theinvestigate good practices thatinterviews and surveys
government will holdappropriately utilize evaluations ofon good practices withinterviews and conduct
abilities and qualities acquired
universities,
surveys with universities andthrough exploratory activities whencompanies, etc., thecompanies concerning good
selecting university students or taking
content of the survey
practices, and will consider
employment examinations at
was carefullymeasures for the horizontal
companies, and will actively promoteexamined.
development of goodlateral development. From FY2022,
practices. [STI, MEXT,
the government will also tabulate and
METI]
publicize the number (or percentage)of universities and companies thathave implemented such measures.
[STI, MEXT, METI]③ Promotion of DX in the education fieldSpecific measures under the Basic Plan

Future action policy○In line with the realization of one
terminal per person based on the
GIGA School Program, the allocationof ICT human resources in the
educational field will be promoted.

・To steadily implement the
GIGA School Plan, in
FY2021, the government will
promote the placement of ICT
human resources at

167

Analysis of
implementation status
and current status
・Terminal installation is
expected to becompleted by the endof FY2020 in 1,748
municipalities

Decision made by the Headquarters for the Study of the Recruitment and Quality Improvement of Teachers Responsible for a Reiwa-

style Japanese School Education on February 2, 2021
158

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

[MEXT]○By the end of FY2021, thegovernment will publish the
Educational Data Standard (2ndedition) so that individual children
and students can reflect on their own
learning by using educational data
generated through daily learning,teachers can provide individually
optimum learning guidance andstudent guidance, and new
knowledge such as teaching methods
and learning methods can be created
and reflected in the planning andformulation of policies by national
and local governments. [MEXT]○By FY2022, the government willcomplete the introduction of an
integrated school administration
support system that can reduce theworkload of teachers. [MEXT]

Analysis of
Future action policy
implementation status
and current status(96.5%).
educational workplaces
・In addition tothrough the GIGA school
promoting the
supporter and ICT utilization
placement of ICT
education advisor projects.
supporters who[MEXT]
provide support for the ・ We will further promote thedaily use of ICT by
deployment of ICT assistants
teachers at eachby publicizing good practices
school, and GIGA
nationwide. [MEXT]
school supporters who
provide initial support,
including thedevelopment of a perperson terminal
environment, support
is being provided bydispatching ICT
utilization education
advisors who provide
specialized advice andtraining support for
ICT utilization to each
Board of Education,etc.
・ Study is underway to ・By the end of FY2021, thepublish the Educational
Educational Data Standards
Data Standards (2nd
(2nd edition) will be compiled
edition).
and published with statistical
data, school healthexamination information, andother data that have been
universally utilized at schools
based on the existing system.
[MEXT]

・Currently, 64.8% of all ・By FY2022, the introduction
public schools in Japanof an integrated school affairs
have integrated support
support system, which cansystems (as of March
reduce teachers' workload,2020).
will be completed. [MEXT]
・We will promote theintroduction of joint
procurement in local
governments byconducting a pilot
project on joint
procurement at theprefectural level andpreparing anddisseminating a
guidebook on joint
159

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Analysis of
implementation status
and current statusprocurement.

Future action policy④ Promotion of mobility of human resources and enhancement of learning for career changes andcareer advancement
Specific measures under the Basic Plan

○By FY2023, the government will
establish nationwide systems ofcooperation and collaboration withlocal industries, domestic andoverseas
universities,andinternational organizations so thathigh school students can take active
action toward their future by
expanding opportunities to realize
learning
incooperation
andcollaboration
withindustry,
universities,andinternationalorganizations in order to resolve
regional and global social issues.
[MEXT]○In FY2021, the government will start
coordinating the functions of thevocational information service site
(Japanese Version of O-NET ), whichstarted its operation in FY2019, andthe site introducing programs for
adults at universities (Manapass ). In
addition, the government will
strengthen the functions of these twosites by FY2022. The government will
also improve and further disseminate
the expertise of career consultants.
Through these efforts, the government
will develop an environment in which
individuals can easily take steps
toward career advancement and careerchange. [MEXT, MHLW]○The relevant ministries and agencies
will cooperate to promote theutilization and expand the spread of
the professional engineer system in
the industrial arena, etc., as well as

Analysis of
implementation status
and current status
・In the Ministry of
Education, Culture,
Sports, Science andTechnology's Projectto Promote Higher
School Education
Reform throughCollaboration with
Local Communities,
WWL Consortium
Construction Support
Project, and MasterHigh School Project,
we are creating
precedent cases foreducational activities
in cooperation withrelated organizations.
・In February 2021, alink was added to eachjob description page of
the Japanese version
O-NET to a site where
you can search fortraining courses andlectures such as for job
skills and knowledge
required for a desired
job.
・The number ofregistered career
consultants was 59,557
as of March 2021.
・Efforts are underway
to improve theexpertise of career
consultants byenhancing online
training for career
consultants.
・In order to secureinternational
acceptance ofprofessional engineer
and to utilize its
160

Future action policy

・By FY2023, we will develop
a nationwide system forcooperation and collaboration
with local industries,
universities and internationalorganizations in Japan andoverseas. [MEXT]
・In addition to promoting
networking among teachers
who are driving uniqueinitiatives such as
entrepreneurial education, amechanism to promotehorizontal development ofthese initiatives will beconsidered. [MEXT]・By the end of FY2021, work
will begin on functional
collaboration between theJapanese version of O-NETand Manapass, a website that
introduces programs forworking adults at universities.
[MEXT, MHLW]・We will continue to improvethe expertise of career
consultants by enhancing
online training. [MHLW]・In order to secureinternational acceptance ofprofessional engineers and toutilize their qualifications, thegovernment will consider theSpecific measures under the Basic Plan

Analysis of
Future action policy
implementation status
and current status
make the necessary revisions to thequalifications, and soestablishment andsystem in order to securethat more young
improvement of a system thatinternational applicability, promoteengineers and training
is consistent and coherent
the entry of young human resources,
engineers can refer tothroughout life, and will draw
and improve the quality and ability ofprofessional engineer,a certain conclusion by theprofessional engineers. engineers.
concrete efforts are
end of FY2021. [MEXT][MEXT, relevant ministries andbeing considered foragencies]
the construction andimprovement of aconsistent systemthroughout life.
○The government will create
・From July 2020 to・We will conduct a fact-finding
opportunities for the development
March 2021, thesurvey on the development ofand active participation of innovative
Industry-Academia
an environment for fostering
human resources in order to increase
Innovation HR
innovation human resources
the depth of a diverse range ofCirculation Training
and disseminate best practices
innovative human resources,
Study Group was(Restated) [METI]
including management humanestablished to carry out
resources involved in the creation of
discussions on theinnovation, and to improve theimprovement of thequality of human resources by
Innovation humanincreasing their mobility. To this end,
resources development
the government will, by FY2023,
environment.
engage in conducting a fact-finding
survey on the development of anenvironment for developing
innovative human resources anddisseminate best practices, taking into
account the accumulation of
discussions on human resource
development. (Restated) [METI]○In order to improve the mobility of・In June 2020, the・In order to deepen the
research personnel between
Ministry of Economy,
understanding of universities
universities and corporations, theTrade and Industry andand companies, theGuidelines for Guideline for
the Ministry of
government will continue toEnhancing Industry-AcademiaEducation, Culture,disseminate the industryGovernment Collaboration Activities
Sports, Science andacademia-government
shall be disseminated to promote theTechnology jointly
collaboration guidelines toutilization of cross-appointment
produced thepromote the utilization of thesystems and concurrent employment
Guidelines for the
cross-appointment system andat each institution, theEnhancement of Join
dual jobs, implementation risk
implementation of risk management
Research throughmanagement for conflicts offor conflicts of interest, etc., and theIndustry-academiainterest, and relaxation ofrelaxation of organizational rules, etc.
governmentorganizational rules. [MEXT,[MEXT, METI]Collaboration
METI][Supplementary
Edition]. It was
distributed to thebusiness community
and universities, andsymposiums andseminars were heldfrom January to
February 2021 todisseminate
161

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Analysis of
implementation status
and current status
information to relevant
parties.

Future action policy⑤ Fostering an environment and culture in which society and companies promote continuous
learning
Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Analysis of
implementation status
and current status
・Consideration isunderway to develop
indicators.

○By FY2023, the government willdevelop indicators for evaluating theeffects of recurrent education onsociety, in addition to the number of
employees who have participated insuch education. [STI, MEXT,MHLW, METI]○From the perspective of creating an
・We will continue toenvironment in which individuals canconsider measures tomake the most of their abilities bypromote the use of therelearning even after they haveeducational training
reached a certain age, from FY2021,
leave system and to
the relevant ministries and agencies
promote thewill jointly study concrete measures
introduction of
to promote the utilization of therecurrent education for
educational training leave system andemployees at
the introduction of recurrent
companies.
education for employees incompanies, in order to contribute to
the continuation of individual
learning supported by work stylereform, while taking into account the
movement of employment to the job
type, and summarize the results.
[STI, MEXT, MHLW, METI]○Companies that provide sabbatical ・From July 2020 toleave and economic support toMarch 2021, theemployees for relearning will be
Industry-Academia
evaluated as leading companies inInnovation HR
human resource development, andCirculation Training
measures will be introduced toStudy Group was
improve their corporate image.
established to carry out[METI]
discussions on relearning(reskilling/recurrent).
○The government will make efforts to ・From July 2020 toaccelerate joint research and joint
March 2021, theeducation between companies andIndustry-Academia
universities that will contribute toInnovation HR
both the expansion of career paths for
Circulation Training
doctoral researchers to the industrial
Study Group was
sector and relearning for corporate
established to carry out
human resources. [METI]
discussions the162

Future action policy

・We will develop new indicators
in cooperation with relevant
ministries and agencies. [STI,
MEXT, MHLW, METI]・The relevant ministries andagencies will set up a forum
for discussions on measures topromote the use of theeducation and training leavesystem and promote theintroduction of recurrent
education for employees atcompanies. [STI, MEXT,MHWL, METI]・By the end of FY2021, we will
evaluatecompanies
that
provide sabbatical leave andeconomic support as leading
companies in fostering humanresources. We will conduct
surveys and research to
introduce measures to improvethe corporate image. [METI]・By the end of FY2021, thegovernment will conduct
surveys and research aimed atpromoting the active
participation of PhD holders
in industry and re-learning(reskilling/recurrent). [METI]

promotion of theactive participation of
PhD holders inindustry and relearning(reskilling/recurrent).
⑥ Provision of diverse curricula and programs at universities and national institutes of technology
Specific measures under the Basic Plan
Analysis of
Future action policy
implementation status
and current status○The government will develop a group ・The National・Based on the opinions of theof universities that support individual
University Corporation
expert committee, theself-actualization based on various
Governance Codegovernment will continue tovalues. Specifically, in higher
formulated in March
confirm reports on the status
education, students, who are the most2020 requires eachof compliance with the Codeimportant stakeholders as recipients
national university
and promote the disclosure ofof higher education and are members
corporation to disclose
information on theof universities, are regarded as those
information that
educational outcomes that
who share long-term interests in theindicates thestudents enjoy. [MEXT]
development of universities. In
educational outcomes
addition to requiring the publicationthat students haveof information to national universities
enjoyed.
about the educational outcomes that
・In February 2021, allstudents were able to enjoy under thenational university
Governance Code, each university
corporations publishedwill conduct surveys, analyses, andreports on complianceverifications, including long-termwith the Code. In
perspectives such as student
March 2021, thesatisfaction and how students'
Ministry of Education,abilities are evaluated by society after
Culture, Sports,
graduation. The results of these
Science andsurveys, analyses, and verifications
Technology conducted
will not only be linked to education
a review of thecourses and the selection of new
published reports
students, but also to enhance
based on the opinion
information disclosure in aof an expert
comparable manner so that students
committee, andcan make appropriate choices fordisseminated to each
universities, thereby explaining
national university
education to students and the people
corporation the results
who can become students andof the review and afulfilling their responsibilities as acollection of caseresult. [STI, MEXT]
studies that would
serve as a reference inreporting thecompliance status forthe following fiscal
year and beyond.
・In the collection ofcase studies, as
information showing
educational outcomes,
examples showing
only the policies
established by each
university, such as
163

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Analysis of
implementation status
and current status
their diploma policies,
are cited asproblematic cases, andit was made known
that objective grounds
for educational
outcomes should bepresented, andappropriate
information from eachnational university
corporation is
promoted to be
published.
○The government will encourage the・In FY2020, six
active utilization of a degree program
projects were adopted
system that allows students tounder the Program forestablish curricula beyond the
Human Resources
boundaries of faculties and graduate
Development forsystem that allows students to acquire
Supporting a
degrees such as double majors. In
Knowledge-intensive
addition, in order to realize a wide
Society, and eachrange of liberal arts education acrossuniversity that adopted
the humanities and sciences inthese initiatives
university education, the government
accepted students fromwill use such a system to construct
FY2021 andmultiple new types of educational
implemented theprograms (late specialization
programs on a fullprogram, etc.) that are both broad andscale.
deep through all-university common
education and graduate education.
[MEXT]○In line with the fourth medium-term
・With regard to thetarget period for national university
FY2021 national
corporation from FY2022, theuniversity budget
government will actively evaluate
subsidies which areuniversities whose management isallocated based on thebased on recurrent education based
status of theon regional issues and university
performance ofstrengths. At the same time, theuniversities centered
government will actively promote
on outcomes,
cooperation between the liaison
universities werefunctions of organizations such as theevaluated andCenter for Industry-Academia
allocated subsidies
Collaboration and the Center forbased on the status ofRegional Collaboration, which
their diversityaccumulate information on the needs
fostering environmentof local industries, and recurrent
including the status ofeducation and human resource
enrollment of students
development programs that respondin the workforce.
・The Minister ofto the needs of local industries, and
Education, Culture,
will secure specialized humanSports, Science andresources who will play the role ofTechnology certified
coordinators, such as program design
and public reports. [MEXT, METI]
practical and164

Future action policy

・Follow-up and other activities
will be conducted on theinitiatives of universities
selected under the Programfor Human Resources
Development for Supporting a
Knowledge-intensiveSociety . [MEXT]・The government will draw aconclusion by the end of
FY2021 on the allocation
mechanism of the new,national university budget
subsidies, toward the Fourth
Medium-term Objectives
Period. [MEXT]
・ We conducted surveys andstudies on measures necessary
to secure specialized humanresources to play the role ofcoordinators, such as inprogram design and public
relations. [METI]Specific measures under the Basic Plan

○In order to promote strategic
implementation of the functions ofrecurrent education and humanresource development by universities
in cooperation with externalorganizations, the government willdevelop an environment that enables
all national university corporations toinvest in enterprises that implement
training and training. [MEXT]○Utilizing a variety of digital content
including MOOC, we will expand
recurrent education programs formembers of society, etc. For thispurpose, we will design incentives
for universities, etc., such as
certification and systematization ofcourses that are considered to beparticularly effective for recurrent
education for members of society,etc. We will also consider theestablishment of a system to realize
university education in the newnormal system, which allows avariety of learners to learn from eachother, such as face-to-face and online
hybridization. We will draw a certain
conclusion by the end of FY2021,
including the flexibility of university
establishment standards. [MEXT,
METI]○With regard to national institutes oftechnology, in order to improveeducation for the development ofpractical engineers, the government

Analysis of
Future action policy
implementation status
and current statusspecialized programs
conducted byuniversities, etc. in
response to the needsof students in theworkforce, companies,
etc., as Programs forDeveloping Practical
Skills in the Workplace(BP).
(As of March 2021: 314
courses)・The National
・We will disseminate theUniversity Corporation
contents of the system
Act was amended
revisions and promote theduring the ordinary
implementation of projects
session of the Diet inutilizing the system at2021 in order to allow
national university
all national university
corporations. [MEXT]
corporations, etc. toinvest in enterprisesthat provide
consulting, training,
and training, etc. thatutilize the researchoutcomes ofuniversities, which are
limited to designatednational university
corporations.
・The Council for the・The government will consider
Implementation of
the establishment of a system
Education Rebuilding
to realize university educationand the Central
under the new normal, in
Council for Education
which various students canare studying thelearn from each other, such as
establishment of athrough a hybrid system ofsystem to realize
face-to-face and online
university education
education. The government
under the new normal.
will also consider theflexibility of university
establishment standards, andwill draw a certain conclusionby the end of FY2021.
[MEXT, METI]・In November 2020, the ・From FY2021, we willStandards forestablish a human resources
Establishment ofdevelopment system that
National Institutes offuses AI with other fields to165

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

will promote the participation of
persons who are active in the front
lines of companies in education asteachers, and from FY2021, thegovernment will establish a humanresource development system tosolve social issues requiring a wide
range of knowledge and skills, suchas disaster prevention, disaster
reduction and epidemic prevention, in
addition to nursing care, medical
engineering, and materials, byintegrating AI and other fields.
[MEXT]

Analysis of
implementation status
and current status
Technology(Ordinance of the
Ministry of Education
No. 23 of 1961) was
partially revised topromote theparticipation ofpractitioners asteachers in national
institutes oftechnology education.

Future action policy

solve social issues requiring awide range of knowledge andtechnology, such as disasterprevention, disaster reduction,and epidemic prevention, in
addition to nursing care,
medical engineering, andmaterials. [MEXT]⑦ Co-Creation of knowledge and strengthening of science and technology communication throughparticipation of various actors such as citizen participation
Specific measures under the Basic Plan

○From FY2021, multi-layered scienceand technology communications will
be strengthened, including efforts forscience and technology literacy andrisk literacy based on social eventsand social changes caused by thenovel coronavirus pandemic, efforts
to collect opinions from the generalpublic at science museums and othermuseums, efforts to participate inpolicy processes by citizens, andefforts to engage in dialogue andcollaborative activities that overcome
differences in age, gender, physicalability, values, etc., utilizing state-ofthe-art technologies essential for therealization of Society 5.0 such as IoT
and AI. [STI, MEXT]○In order to promote science andtechnology literacy, risk literacy, andco-creation research activities,
proactive activities by science andtechnology communicators are
essential as human resources whoplay a role in connecting various
entities. The government will support
such efforts. [MEXT]

Analysis of
implementation status
and current status
・We are consideringbuilding a foundation
for scientificcommunication thatwill enable various
people to experience
concrete images ofSociety 5.0 using ICT
and AI.

・Efforts are being madefor scientific andtechnical literacy andrisk literacy based onsocial phenomena
related to COVID-19,
and consideration is
being given todeveloping science
communicators whowill contribute to thepromotion of research
activities through cocreation based on the
166

Future action policy

・As a foundation for scientificcommunication that enables
people to experience concrete
images of Society 5.0, we
have started to build sensing
systems through the use of AI.
[STI, MEXT]・We have initiated efforts forscientific and technicalliteracy and risk literacy
initiatives based on social
phenomena related to
COVID-19, and training of
scientific communicators tocontribute to the promotion ofresearch activities through cocreation based on the revisionof the Based Act on Scienceand Technology. [MEXT]

Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Analysis of
Future action policy
implementation status
and current statusrevision of the Basic
Act on Science andTechnology.
○The government will promote research ・Discussions are
・We will accelerate efforts for
activities such as the creation andunderway on how to
co-creation by diverse entities
fusion of knowledge by co-creatingco-create with diverseand promote researchwith various entities such as local
entities that contributeactivities such as the creation
governments, NPOs and NGOs, small
to the promotion ofand integration of knowledge
and medium-sized enterprises andresearch activities suchthrough opportunities such as
start-ups, freelance researchers, andas the creation andScience Agora. [STI, MEXT]
citizen participation. In addition, thefusion of knowledge.
government will implement the(Restated)development of an environment thatencourages the participation ofvarious entities as a new science,technology, and innovation policy
formulation process as a bottom-up
approach by industry, academia, andgovernment, such as the launch of
citizen science research projects that
expect the participation of many
citizens by collecting many samples
and conducting scientific experimentsthat cannot be realized by researchers
alone (on a scale of 10,000 people,
with the assumption that it will start
by FY2022). (Restated) [STI, MEXT]

167

4. Promoting sectoral strategies through public-private partnerships
So far, we have formulated sectoral strategies for AI technology, biotechnology, quantum technology,
and materials in the field of fundamental technologies, and for environmental energy, safety and security,
health and medical care, space, ocean, food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries as applied fields. Based onthese strategies, during the period of the Sixth Basic Plan, the government will steadily implement researchand development and social implementation while cooperating with related projects such as SIP and theMoonshot Research and Development Program, while paying attention to the following points. The sectoral
strategies will be flexibly formulated and reviewed based on quantitative analysis and expert judgment.
For strategies in the field of environmental energy and the field of safety and security see Chapter 2, 1.
(2) and Chapter 2, 1. (3) respectively.
(Fundamental technologies that should be addressed strategically)(1)AI technology
Specific measures underthe Basic Plan
The utilization of artificial
intelligence (AI) has been
widely advancing in society,and countries such as theUnited States and China haveformulated national strategies
on AI and are competing tolead the world. In thesecircumstances, it is necessary
to promote appropriate
development and social
implementation based on thefact that AI brings great
benefits to society and has agreat influence on society.
For this reason, during theperiod of the Sixth Basic Plan,
efforts will be made by therelevant ministries andagencies in order to realize
concrete goals set forth in AI
Strategy 2019, such as
educational reform,
restructuring of researchsystems, social
implementation, development
of data-related infrastructure,and ethics. In addition, thegovernment will continuously
review the progress ofstrategies and the progress ofsocial implementation of AI,
and will promote strategies sothat each and every citizen canfeel the specific benefits of AI,
by securing and strengthening

Analysis of
implementation status andFuture action policy

current status
・ Measures are being promoted ・We will promote various
based on AI Strategy 2019 andmeasures based on AI
its follow-up. Key achievements
Strategy 2021. The main
include:initiatives are as follows.
(Educational reform)(Educational reform)- Launch of the Mathematical,-Establishment of a website
Data Science, and AI
that lists companies that
Education Programsupport and cooperate with
Certification System
the Mathematical, Data
(Literacy Level) to certify
Science, and AI Education
excellent education programs
Program Certification
at universities, etc.
System [METI](Research and development)- Establishment and start of(1. See (1) ④)
operation of the(Social implementation)
Mathematical, Data Science,- Construction of a cloudand AI Education Program
infrastructure common to theCertification System
six medical societies related(Applied Basic Level) toto the support of diagnostic
certify excellent education
imaging by National Instituteprograms at universities, etc.
of Informatics (NII).
[MEXT, METI, STI]
Introduction of an approval- Development of teachingsystem based on thematerials based on
characteristics of medical
mathematical, data science,
devices using AI (amendment
and AI model curriculums atof relevant laws anduniversities and national
regulations)institutes of technology- A smart agriculture
throughout Japan, in orderdemonstration project
to develop digital humanunderway at 148 sites (as ofresources, and in addition to
March 2021)
the literacy level,- The ratio of facility managers
acquisition of basic skills
who introduced newthat can be applied to one's
technologies for infrastructure
own specialized fields
checks and diagnoses (MLIT)
regardless of wether it is in
is [35%] (as of March 2021)
the humanties or science. At
168

Specific measures underthe Basic Plan
advanced R&D, humanresources, research
environments, and data that arecomparable to those in othercountries, such as nextgeneration machine learningalgorithms based on theprinciples of deep learning,
advanced natural language
processing such as
simultaneous interpretation,and highly reliable AI that is
important for application to
medical care andmanufacturing fields.

Analysis of
implementation status andcurrent status- 90 demonstration projects havebeen adopted and are being
implemented for smart cityrelated projects by the relevant
ministries and agencies.
(Ethics, etc.)- Participation in international
expert meetings such as the
Global Partnership on AI(GPAI)・AI Strategy 2019 was revised to
AI Streategy 2021 based on thisyear's follow-up.

169

Future action policy

the same time, aninternationally competitive
cross-sectoral doctoral
education program will beestablished to develop the
top human resources to betaught, and double majors
will be promoted in
graduate school education ofhuman resources. [MEXT,
METI]- Implementation of AI
education for government
employees on a trial basis[STI] (Restated 1. (1) ⑤)(Research and development)(1. See (1) ④)(Social implementation, etc.)- Based on the Comprehensive
Data Strategy, promoted thedevelopment of a baseregistry, data exchange
infrastructure for each field,
and a comprehensive trust
infrastructure, as well as theconstruction of a datautilization environment suchas expanded cooperation forcross-sectoral data linkage
infrastructure, and the social
implementation of AI
services using the developed
data. [IT, STI, relevant
ministries and agencies]- Leverage the Japaneseversion of SBIR, whichcame into effect in April thisyear, to increase funding
opportunities for R&Doriented startups andpromote R&D based onsocial needs and policy
issues [STI]- Compilation andimplementation ofcomprehensive measures topromote the use of AI by thegovernment while ensuringtransparency, fairness, etc.
[STI]
- Formulation of new AI
strategy by the end of 2021
[STI]

(2)Biotechnology
Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
The promotion of thebioeconomy contributes to
responses to the convergenceof the novel coronavirus
infection, the construction ofstrategic supply chains forfood and pharmaceuticalproducts, and the reduction ofenvironmental impact. It also
contributes to the rapid
recovery of the Japanese
economy, and its importance isfurther increasing.
Based on this recognition,
during the period of the Sixth
Basic Plan, the government
will steadily implement
measures incorporated in theMarket Domain Roadmap,
which sets market size targets
as of 2030, in nine market
domains, including highperformance bio-materials,
sustainable primary production
systems, andbiopharmaceuticals andregenerative medicine-relatedindustries, based on Bio
Strategy 2020 (Basic
Policies) 168 and Bio Strategy
2020 (Definitive Measures forMarket Domains) 169, which
embody and update Bio
Strategy 2019. Specifically, thegovernment will formulate
guidelines for collaboration
and utilization of bio-data andpromote measures based on
the guidelines, promote theformation and investment of
global and regional biocommunities, and develop biomanufacturing demonstrationand human resource
development base functions in
global bio-communities, inaccordance with each field.

Analysis of implementation status
Future action policy
and current status
・Guidelines for cooperation and ・We will link and develop theutilization of biodata are being
outcomes of the Tohoku
considered for the interim
Medical Megabank (TMM)
compilation by mid-2021.
Project, BioBank Japan
・For bio communities, the(BBJ), and the National
government announced theCenter Biobank Network
Basic Concept on the(NCBN), which are the three
Formation of Bio Communities
major biobanks in Japan, andin early March 2021, and held
promote the construction of ameetings to formulate
large-scale genome datarequirements for certification
infrastructure. [Healthcare,and review certification so that
MEXT, MHLW]
the first regional bio
・The Council for Basiccommunities can be certified by
Utilization of Health andsummer 2021.
Medical Data will conduct
・For the demonstration of biostudies to develop a data
manufacturing and theutilization infrastructure fordevelopment human resources
all of Japan that willdevelopment hub functions, we
contribute to cutting-edge
are constructing demonstration
research and development andfacilities, installing equipment
the creation of new industries
necessary for fostering humanrelated to health and medical
resources, and preparingcare. [Healthcare, PPC,
educational contents. In
MEXT, MHLW, METI]FY2020, the government will・Based on the status of local
start soliciting applications forbio-community open
one new demonstration site forrecruitment and certification,
large-scale production
Japan will draw up an overall
demonstration.
picture of the optimal bio・For Japan Environment andcommunity by recruiting andChildren's Study (JECS), which
certifying global biois one of the large-scalecommunities in the Tokyo andcohorts, a genome/gene
Kansai regions by the end ofanalysis research plan was
FY2021, and accelerate theformulated for the construction
expansion of market areas.
of a biobank.
[STI]
・We will steadily promote theStrategy for Strengthening
Vaccine Development andProduction Systems tostrengthen vaccine
development and production
systems in Japan. [Healthcare,
MEXT, MHLW, METI,
MOFA]・With regard to Japan
Environment and Children's
Study (JECS), which is one of
the large-scale cohorts, thegovernment will promote
concrete studies on genetic

168

June 26, 2020 Decision of the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council

169

January 19, 2021 Decision of the Integrated Innovation Strategy Promotion Council
170

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation status
and current status

Future action policy
analysis. [MOE](3)Quantum technology
Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
Quantum technology is aninnovative technology that has
the potential to bring aboutmajor changes in the society,economy, industry, andsecurity of Japan and theworld. In recent years,
competition between countries
and companies has intensified
in various countries, including
the United States, European
countries, and China. Eachcountry has been engaged inlarge-scale investment andlarge-scale-scale R&D. Thus,
competition between countries
and companies that will exert
hegemony in the future has
intensified. In Japan, too,strategic efforts are requiredfor R&D of quantum
technology and theirimplementation in society.
For this reason, during theperiod of the Sixth Basic Plan,
based on the Quantum
Technology and Innovation
Strategy , industry, academia
and the government willstrongly promote a wide range
of initiatives ranging frombasic R&D to implementation
in society, including thepromotion of utilization ofquantum technology inindustry and society, including
practical application ofquantum technology in the
short and medium term bycombining existing
technologies, in addition to thefundamental strengthening of
R&D on key technologies suchas quantum computers,
quantum measurement andsensing, quantum
communication andcryptography, etc., formationof innovation bases, promotionof international cooperation,

Analysis of implementation status
and current status
・In other countries, particularlyin the United States, European
countries, and China, quantum
technology is positioned as a
key technology in national
strategies that will bring about
future economic and socialchanges, and strategic
initiatives such as theformulation of national
strategies, expansion ofresearch and development
investment, and formation ofbases are being rapidly
implemented.
・In order to rank with othercountries with regard to thedevelopment of quantum
technology in Japan while
securing future growth of Japanand the safety and security of
the country and its people, uponclearly setting the vision of the
future that quantum technology
will lead, and taking apanoramic view of the wholecountry, we will advance (1)focused research anddevelopment, (2) international
cooperation, (3) formation ofresearch and development hubs,(4) intellectual property andinternational standardization
strategies, and (5) development
and securing of excellent
human resources under the
Quantum Technology
Innovation Strategy formulated
in January 2020. Of these
initiatives, with regard to theformation of research anddevelopment hubs, we havedeveloped eight Quantum
Technology Innovation Hubs inJapan.
・Global momentum toward
carbon neutrality is rapidly
increasing. The key to theadvancement of real-time datautilization, which promotes
171

Future action policy
To respond to growing
concerns about economic
security and environmental
changes such as carbon
neutrality, we will drasticallystrengthen our efforts, including
the review of strategies.
① For the quantum computersocial implementation,
research and development on
superconducting quantum
computers, quantum AI
systems, etc. will bepromoted, and research anddevelopment on advanced
control of solid state
quantum sensors, quantum
life technology, etc. will bepromoted with the aim ofrealizing quantum
measurement and sensing
systems. In addition, we will
strategically foster
outstanding young
researchers and engineers
who support quantum
technology as "quantum
natives" who can use
quantum technology from anearly stage.
・Optical/Quantum Leap
Flagship Program (Q-LEAP)[MEXT]
・University fellowship
program to create science andtechnology innovation[MEXT]② Demonstration of quantum
cryptography toward social
implementation andpromotion of research anddevelopment on quantum
cryptography
communication by various
methods:
・R&D for constructing global
quantum cryptography
networks
・Research and development of
quantum cryptography

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
strategic intellectual property
management and international
standardization, anddevelopment of excellent
human resources.

Analysis of implementation status
and current statuschanges in people's behavior, issecure and eco-friendly datautilization technology, andcompetition in the developmentof quantum technology, whichis the core technology, isintensifying.

172

Future action policy
technology for satellite
communications [MIC]・Research and development ofsatellite quantum
cryptography communication
for the construction of a
global quantum cryptography
communication network③ Full-fledged R&D at eight
quantum technology
innovation hubs in Japan andpromotion of collaboration
among hubs centered on
RIKEN. In addition, basedon the Japan-U.S. Leaders’
Joint Statement of April
2021, Japan and the UnitedStates will strengthen joint
research and exchange of
researchers in the field of
quantum science andtechnology. :・Cross-sectoral efforts will bepromoted through theConference for the Promotionof Quantum Technology
Innovation Hubs (establishedin April 2021) comprisingeight centers. [MEXT, MIC,
METI]
・In the second half of 2021, thequantum technology
innovation hubs will take thelead to hold an international
symposium. In addition, we
will build collaborative andcooperating relationships withquantum hubs overseas andpromote joint research with
Europe and the United States.
[MEXT, MIC, METI]・We will steadily promote
R&D through collaboration
among industry, academia andgovernment at each hub.
[MEXT, MIC, METI]

(4)Materials
Specific measures under the
Analysis of implementation status
Basic Plan
and current status
Materials are a basic
・Japan's materials-related
technology that supports
industries are supported by
Japan's science, technology,
industrial competitivenessand innovation. They have also
supported by the power of its
produced numerous
products and technology
innovations such as lithiumdevelopment capabilities. In
ion batteries and blue lightacademia and basic research,emitting diodes, and have
we have produced many
supported the world economy
innovative materials, including
and society. On the other hand,the development of blue lightin recent years, as international
emitting diodes and lithium-ion
competition for materials hasbatteries. However, in recent
intensified, Japan has lost its
years, as a result of aggressive
strength in this field, and it is
R&D in emerging countries,
necessary to strengthencommoditization of products,
strategic efforts while taking
and intensification of priceadvantage of the remaining
competition, Japan's production
strength.
share of some components has
For this reason, during the
been lost, and a crisis has
6th Basic Plan period, based
become apparent.
on the Materials Innovation
・Therefore, in order toStrategy , the government will
strengthen Japan’s materials
vigorously promote theinnovation capability, which
initiatives set forth in theplays an important role instrategy under the common
realizing Society 5.0, achieving
vision of industry, academia,
the SDGs, overcoming resource
and government, by utilizing
and environmental constraints,
the strengths of Japan, whichand building a resilient society
has the world's highest level
and industry, and with an eye
R&D infrastructure with aon the social and industrial
large number of diverse
images in 2030, Material
researchers and companies inInnovation Strategy (decided by
Japan, such as the rapid
the Integrated Innovation
implementation of society
Strategy Council on April 27,
through industry-academia co2020) was formulated as acreation, the creation of newcomprehensive policy package
value through the developmentthat includes R&D, industryof a data-driven R&D
government-academia
infrastructure and the pursuit
collaboration, and humanof the essence of things, andresources development.
the securing of sustainable
development such as humanresource development.

173

Future action policy・In order to realize theMaterials DX Platform, we
will implement AI analysis
functions, develop common
facilities and facilities that canobtain high-quality data, andconduct data-driven researchin the materials field, which
will be deployed nationwide
from FY2022. [MEXT]
・From the perspective ofovercoming resource
constraints such as
decarbonization and rare
metals and rare earths throughthe use of data-driven
research and development
methods, we will concretize
the technical challenges that
we should focus on inparticular and promote R&D.
[MEXT, METI]・We will work to build aprocess databases for
manufacturing processes,
which are the source ofJapan's competitiveness in thematerials industry and areimportant for economic
security. At the same time, wewill promote development offundamental technologies thatwill contribute to improving
the performance of ultra-highperformance ceramics,
photoresists, and othermaterials needed to
manufacture electronicequipment for 6G and highperformance semiconductors.
[METI]
・Steady follow-up will be
carried out at expert meetings,
etc., and improvements will
be made continuously throughfurther discussion andcollaboration between thegovernment and experts fromindustry and academia.
[Cabinet Office, MEXT,
METI]

(Strategic applied fields to be addressed)(5)Health and medical care
Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
In the midst of the 4th
Industrial Revolution 170, R&D
is advancing in the medical andlife science fields worldwide,
and as innovation in these fields
accelerates, it is expected thatelucidation of diseasemechanisms, development of
new diagnostic and treatment
methods, R&D of drug
discovery using AI, big data,etc., and personalized medicine
and precision medicine tailored
to individual conditions will
advance.
Against this background,
during the period of the Sixth
Basic Plan, based on the
Healthcare and Medical Strategy
and the Plan for Promotion of
Medical Research andDevelopment for the second
period covering FY2020 toFY2024, the government will
promote integrated research anddevelopment from the basics topractical application in the
medical care field incooperation with other funding
agencies, in-house research
institutes, and privatecompanies, with support from
AMED at the core, as thepromotion of research anddevelopment in the medical carefield. As a particularly pressing
issue, the government willconcentrate support for researchand development in order to put
into practical use a domestic
vaccine, drugs, etc. for the novel
coronavirus infection at an earlystage. In addition, for thedevelopment of the medical carefield R&D environment, thegovernment will promote thedevelopment of systems and170

Analysis of implementation
status and current status
・Based on the second term of
the Plan for Promotion of
Medical Research andDevelopment, we havepromoted six integrated
projects (pharmaceuticals,
medical devices/healthcare,regenerative medicine/celltherapy/gene therapy,
genome/data base, basic
disease research, seeds
development/research hubs)
centered on modalities(technologies and methods).
・With regard to the Moonshot
Research and Development
Program, which is based on
ambitious goals that envision
the future we should aim for,
we have set a goal of realizing
a society in which people canenjoy life without healthconcerns until the age of 100.
We have also appointed fiveproject managers who will be
responsible for researchsubjects to achieve thesegoals, and have promoted
research and development.
・For in-house research in the
medical field conducted by inhouse research institutes
under the jurisdiction of theministries and agencies
concerned, a mechanism wasestablished to constantly
ensure information sharing
and coordination among the
Headquarters for Healthcare
Policy Secretariat, theministries and agencies
concerned, in-house research
institutes, and AMED.
・In order to improve theenvironment for research anddevelopment in the medical
field, the following will be

Future action policy<Promotion of research anddevelopment in the medical
field>
・Collaborating with otherfunding agencies, in-houseresearch institutes, and privatecompanies, we will promote
integrated research anddevelopment from basic topractical use in the medical
field with AMED as the core.
[Healthcare, MIC, MEXT,MHLW, METI]・In order to realize asustainable medical andnursing care system thatprevents and overcomes majordiseases and enables people toenjoy life without healthconcerns until the age of 100,by 2040, we will promotechallenging research anddevelopment and accelerate
the rapid social
implementation of cuttingedge technologies. [STI,
AMED, MEXT, MHLW,
METI]<Improvement of theenvironment for research anddevelopment in the medical
field>
・Based on the issues identified
in the past studies, theorganization of the National
Center for Advanced andSpecialized Medical Care as abase for clinical research inJapan will be urgently
discussed. [Healthcare,
MHLW]
・In addition to promoting thetraining and securing of
biostatisticians and otherspecialists as well as
regulatory science experts, thegovernment will promote the

The 4th Industrial Revolution refers to the industrial revolution with several core technological innovations such as IoT, big data andAI following the 1st Industrial Revolution, which was the mechanization of factories by hydraulic and steam engines since the end of the
18th century, the 2nd Industrial Revolution, which was the mass production using electricity based on the division of labor in the early
20th century, and the 3rd Industrial Revolution, which was the further automation using electronics and information technology since
the early 1970s.
174Specific measures under the
Basic Planmechanisms at specialized
human resources such as
biostatisticians and regulatory
science experts, and thedissemination and enhancementof regulatory science in researchand development, as the
improvement of the medicalcare research and development
environment. In addition, thegovernment will promote healthmanagement for the promotionof health care industries otherthan public insurance, thepromotion of regional andoccupational partnerships, andthe promotion of efforts forindividual health, as the creationof new industries and theirinternational expansion. In
addition, the government will
promote the international
expansion of Japan's health andmedical care-related industries
under the Asia Health andWellbeing Initiative and theAfrican Health Initiative withthe aim of contributing to theachievement of universal healthcoverage (UHC), with the aimof promoting autonomous
industries in each country andcontributing to the wide rangeof health and medical carefields.

Analysis of implementation
status and current statuspromoted: development ofsystems and mechanisms at
support bases in translational
research core hubs and coreclinical research hopsitals;
development and securing ofspecialist human resources
such as biostatisticians andspecialists in regulatory
science; and disseminationand enhancement ofregulatory science in researchand development.
・The Health and Medical New
Industry Council wasestablished to discuss andpromote health management
to promote the health careindustry outside public
insurance, promote regionaland occupational partnerships,
and promote efforts toimprove the health ofindividuals.
・Japan has established theCouncil for International
Development of Health andMedical Care to promote theinternational development ofhealth and medical-relatedindustries in our country
under the Asian Health andWellbeing Initiative and theAfrican Health and Wellbeing
Initiative, aiming toautonomously promoteindustries in various countries
and contribute to a wide rangeof health and medical fields.
・With regard to COVID-19,
which is an urgent issue, theHeadquarters for Healthcare
Policy has compiled support
measures (approximately 193
billion yen in total) for the
relevant ministries andagencies, including researchand development related to
COVID-19, from Phase 1
through Phase 7, and provided
support for related researchand development.

175

Future action policy
education necessary for thepractical application ofregulatory science andintellectual property for
researchers. [MEXT, MHLW,METI]・ In order to further enhance
public trust in our country's
clinical research and promoteresearch, the government willappropriately
apply
the
Clinical Trials Act and review
it as necessary based on thestatus of its implementation.
[MHLW]・In order to ensure that
research and development
results are efficiently linked topharmaceutical approval, thenecessary operational
improvements will be made to
the regulatory sciencestrategic consultation systemand the priority clinical trial
consultation system of thePharmaceuticals and Medical
Devices Agency (PMDA),
with the aim of rapidlycommercializing innovative
pharmaceuticals. [MHLW]・The government will promoteand enhance regulatory
science in research anddevelopment by supporting
research on the quality,
efficacy, and safety of drugs,
etc. based on international
regulatory harmonization,
developing review guidelines,
and improving expert
knowledge for reviewers.
[MHLW]
・Japan Agency for Medical
Research and Development(AMED) is studying amechanism to safely andefficiently utilize qualitycontrolled data in industryacademia research anddevelopment as a platform forthe utilization of data obtained
from AMED-supported R&D
in order to extend healthy life
expectancy for citizens andprovide world-class medicalcare, and will aim for the
early commencement of its

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation
status and current status

176

Future action policy
operation. [Healthcare,
MEXT, MHLW, METI](Restated)
・The government will steadily
promote the Action Plan for
Whole Genome Analysis andRoadmap 2021. In addition toproviding new individualized
medicine to patients for whom
treatment had not been
available, the government will
promote the establishment ofa system that enables therelevant parties in industry,
government, and academia toanalyze and utilize theinformation widely.
[Healthcare, MHLW]<Creation of new industries andinternational expansion>
・The government will promotehealth management toadvance the health careindustry outside the public
insurance system, promote
regional and occupational
cooperation, and promote
efforts to improve the healthof individuals. In addition,
efforts will be made toevaluate the quality ofhealthcare services and to link
public and non-public
insurance services in order todevelop an environment forthe provision of appropriate
healthcare services. [MIC,
MHLW, METI]・We will strengthen theinnovation ecosystem tocreate new industries in thehealth and medical fields bypromoting initiatives such as
financial support throughpublic-private funds,
information dissemination
through one-stop windows,
consulting support, andnetwork support with support
organizations. [REVIC,MEXT, MHLW, METI]・With a view to contributing to
the achievement of UHC, thegovernment will promote theinternational development ofhealth and medical-relatedindustries in our country

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation
status and current status

Future action policy
under the Asian Health andWellbeing Initiative and theAfrican Health and Wellbeing
Initiative, aiming toautonomously promoteindustries in various countries
and contribute to a wide rangeof health and medical fields.
The target fields include not
only medical and nursing care
but also a wide range ofhealthcare services in a
package. [Healthcare, MIC,
MOJ, MOFA, MOF, MEXT,MHLW, MAFF, METI,
MLIT]<Strengthening Vaccine
Development and Production
Systems>・Based on the strategy forstrengthening systems todevelop and produce
vaccines, the government will
work together to rebuild thenecessary systems and makeefforts as a national strategy
to be continuously
implemented over the longterm. [Healthcare, MEXT,MHLW, METI, MOFA](Restated)(6)Space
Specific measures under the
Analysis of implementation
Basic Plan
status and current status
Today, space systems such as ・The role of the space system
positioning, communication,
in Japan's security andand observation support Japan's
economy is growing, and thissecurity and economic andtrend is even stronger. Spacesocial activities. They are also
is becoming increasingly
becoming increasingly
important as a frontier ofimportant as a basis for realizing
science and technology and asSociety 5.0. Under thesea driving force for economic
circumstances, space activities
growth. Space can also be ahave entered an age of cobig driver of Japan's economic
creation by the public andgrowth.
private sectors, and efforts are・Space activities have enteredbeing made to vitalize industries
an era of public and private
through space utilization in asector co-creation from thewide range of fields. In addition,
traditional government
with the progress of space
initiative, and the use of space
exploration, the sphere ofhas been used to invigorate
human activities is expanding
industries in a wide range of
beyond the earth’s orbit to thefields.
moon surface and deep space,・ With the progress of space
177

Future action policy
Based on the Basic Plan on
Space Policy and Basic Plan on
Space Policy Roadmap, thegovernment will promote spacedevelopment and utilization
through measures including thefollowing. [Space, relevant
ministries and agencies](1)Ensuring space security
・Steady development of spacesystems such as the QuasiZenith Satellite System,
information-gathering
satellites, and SSA satellites
・Promotion of utilization ofsmall satellite constellations
that enable frequent
information collection
・Reinforcement of desk

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
and the success of the collectionof samples from asteroids by
Hayabusa 2 has demonstrated to
the world the high level ofJapan's science and technology,
raising public expectations for
its power. Space is becoming
increasingly important as adriving force for the frontier ofscience and technology andeconomic growth, and it can bea major driving force in thecreation of innovation in Japan.
Based on this recognition,
during the period of the Sixth
Basic Plan, based on the Basic
Plan on Space Policy, thegovernment will promote, in
cooperation with industry,
academia, and government,
development for quasi-zenithsatellite systems andinformation-gathering satellites,
satellite development that
contributes to disastercountermeasures and national
resilience and the resolution of
global issues, research anddevelopment for lunar
exploration under the Artemis
program, promotion of spacescience and exploration,
development and upgrading of
key rockets, examination of
future space transportation
systems, promotion of strategic
satellite development anddemonstration in cooperation
with each ministry, expanding
and upgrading utilization ofsatellite data, formation of rules
for future space activities
including space debris
countermeasures and Space
Traffic Management, andstrengthening of the humanresource base that supports
space activities.

Analysis of implementation
status and current status
exploration, the area of humanactivities is expanding beyond
the earth's orbit to the lunar
surface and to deep space.
・The construction of
constellations of small andmicrosatellites is advancing,and game changes in thespace industry are occurring.
Japan's space equipment
industry is lagging behind,
and it is essential for ourcountry to re-strengthen its
industrial and scientificinfrastructure in order tomaintain the independence of
space activities.
・Recognizing the great
potential of space and thesevere situation that Japan iscurrently facing, we aremaking steady progress
toward the implementation of
the Basic Plan on Space
Policy decided as the ten-year
Basic Policy on Space, which
was determined with a view
toward the next 20 years,
based on the roadmap.

178

Future action policy
exercises
・ Promotion of cyber security
measures(2)Contributing to disastercountermeasures, national
resilience and resolution of
global challenges
・Establishment of a system toquickly and effectively grasp
the disaster situation in theevent of a disaster・Examination of thedevelopment and operation
system of the next-generation
meteorological satellite・Formulation and promotion ofinternational greenhouse gas
observation mission concept
utilizing satellites, etc.
・Strengthening of efforts torealize the Space Solar power
Systems(3)Creation of new knowledge
through space science andexploration
・Promotion of space science andexploration such as theMartian Moons Exploration
Program (MMX)
・ Promotion of the Artemis
Program and technologicaldevelopment with a view tosustainable lunar activities(4)Realization of economic
growth and innovation driven
by space
・ Strengthening of efforts to
expand the use of satellite data
・Establishment of institutional
environment for new spacebusiness
・Promotion of efforts toestablish international
standards concerning the useof orbit(5)Reinforcement ofcomprehensive infrastructure,including industrial andscientific infrastructure
・Promotion of strategic
initiatives in public-private
partnerships for theconstruction of small satellite
constellations
・Development anddemonstration in fundamental
technologies under theSpecific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation
status and current status

Future action policy
satellite development anddemonstration platform (spacecomputing, quantum
cryptography, fundamental
technologies necessary forsatellite constellations,digitalization, advanced
sensors, etc.)
・Development of core rockets
and future R&D in spacetransport systems
・Development of humanresources for space(7)OceanSpecific measures under the
Basic Plan
For Japan, which issurrounded by the sea on all
sides and has one of the largest
control areas in the world, it isnecessary to protect the ocean
171
in order to preserve its
territory and territorial waters
and ensure the safety of its
people, to make use of the sea asa basis for the existence andgrowth of economic society, andto pass on the sea to its
descendants as a basis for the
existence of precious humanbeings. In addition, it is essential
to collect and utilize scientificknowledge on the ocean in thefollowing areas: conservation ofmarine living resources andecosystems, securing of energy
and mineral resources, response
to global-scale issues such as
global warming and marine
plastic litter, measures against
threats such as earthquakes,
tsunamis, and volcanoes,
sustainable use and utilization of
the Arctic region, andstrengthening of competitive
power in the marine industry. In
the United Nations Decade of
Ocean Science for Sustainable
Development (2021), it is171

Analysis of implementation
Future action policy
status and current status
・Based on the Basic Plan on
・In order to solve the problem
Ocean Policy, we willof marine plastic litter, we
comprehensively andwill promote research andsystematically promote ocean
study on the actual
policies.
distribution of marine plastic
・Regarding response to global
litter, gathering global data forchallenges such as marine
around 2023, and impacts onplastic litter, for example,
organisms and ecosystems. In
Japan domesticaly promotes
addition, we will promote thedomestic measures based on
development of resourcethe Action Plan for Marine
recycling industries throughLitter as well as
innovation and enhanced
internationally promotes
recycling of alternative
various measures based on thematerials such as marine
G20 Implementation
biodegradable plastics,
Framework for Actions on
treatment of marine debris
Marine Plastic Litter related toand reduction of its generation
the G20 Osaka Summit inof marine debris, and2019 with in international
implementation of thecooperation.
initiatives outlined in the・Regarding ocean observation,framework of international
we are developing observationcooperation which is, theusing research vessels, floats,outcome of the G20 Osakabuoys, etc., and promoting theSummit. [STI, MEXT, METI,
development of unmannedand MOE]
observation technologies such ・In order to strengthen theas AUV.
capacity of MDA and to make・For SIP Phase 2, efforts were
maximum use of Japan's vast
made to develop andexclusive economic zone, it isdemonstrate ocean resources
essential to upgrade andsurvey technologies, and sea
improve the efficiency of
trial of deep sea terminal
ocean observation
systems and a long-term
technologies. In addition to

Japan ranks sixth in the world in terms of the area of its territorial waters (including inland waters) and exclusive economic zones, andeighth in the world in terms of the sea areas owned by each country's overseas territories.
179

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan
necessary to contribute to theworld with the power of scienceand technology, which is Japan's
strength.
Therefore, during the periodof the Sixth Basic Plan, thegovernment willcomprehensively andsystematically promotemeasures relating to the oceans
based on the Basic Plan for
Ocean Policy. In particular,
ocean observation is the mostimportant foundation for ocean
science and technology. In orderto strengthen the capacity of
MDA and to enhance the ability
to understand the vast marine
environment for realizing carbon
neutrality, the government willdevelop observation
technologies such as research
vessels, ROVs 172, AUVs,
submarine optical fiber cables,
unmanned observation boats,etc., with the aim of improving
ocean survey and observation
technologies including those for
ice areas, deep sea areas, andsubseafloor. In addition, thegovernment will aim forthorough utilization ofobservation data by building andstrengthening a common basefor data and calculations in orderto advance the sophistication ofdata and information processing,
sharing, and utilization. At thesame time, the government will
also aim to create marine value,
which is an asset of mankind asa whole, through the promotionof data-driven research in theocean field by realizing theInternet of Laboratory173 forocean observations.
In order to promote these
activities, we will strongly
promote industry-academiagovernment collaboration andaim to create innovation in themaritime field.

Analysis of implementation
status and current status
operational ASV weredeveloped for theDevelopment of Innovative
Technologies for Explorationof Deep-Sea Resources.
・In addition to enhancing theinformation contained MDA
Situational Indication
Linkages (MSIL), we are
improving the environment
for the release of APIs in
order to promote thecoordination of ocean
information. A public-private
forum on data linkage wasalso held.
・Construction of the Arctic
research vessels began, andArctic observation andresearch and human resources
development were carried out
through the Arctic Challenge
for Sustainability II (ArCSII),
which started in FY2020.
・As of March 2021, in
accordance with the Act on
Promoting Utilization of Sea
Areas for the Development ofPower Generation Facilities
Using Maritime Renewable
Energy Resources, public
applications were being
implemented at four locations(five areas) across the country(a total of approximately 1.5
million kilowatts), and efforts
in the supply chain as a wholecentering on power producers
are being vitalized towardgaining cases.
・The government is striving todevelop international
regulations to improve energy
efficiency of ships so as topromote the replacement of
old inefficient ships with new
greener ships. Japan drafted
and co-sponsored a jointproposal to the International
Maritime Organization(IMO), on the mandatory
energy efficiency

Future action policy
manned observation by ships
and other vessels, we willdevelop technology thatmakes it possible to observe
the ocean more widely, indetail and efficiently byunmanned observation using
AUV and submarine opticalfiber cables. [MEXT]・For SIP Phase 2, we will
promote the development anddemonstration of ocean
resources survey
technologies, including thedevelopment of AUV
technology, multi-AUV
operation technology anddeep sea terminal technology,
as well as research anddevelopment on ocean
observation technologies forthe Development of
Innovative Technologies for
Exploration of Deep SeaResources. [STI]・In order to expand the range
of uses of collected marine
data with an eye on social
implementation, as part of thestrengthening of the MDA's
capabilities, functions havebeen enhanced with an eye tomaking further use ofadvanced information sharing
systems, such as DIAS, whichaccumulates and analyzes
global environmental big data,
and the Ocean Status Display
System, which can display
various types of marine
information superimposed on
maps. In addition, in order toenhance maritime information
at an accelerated pace, we will
strengthen cooperation withsystems owned not only bygovernment agencies but also
by local governments, theprivate sector and foreignorganizations. Furthermore, inorder to promote the
distribution and utilization of

172

ROV: Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)173

A system in which various devices and data can be connected in real time through a network infrastructure that enables large - -capacity data communications, and research activities can be conducted seamlessly regardless of location.
180

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation
status and current status
requirements on existingships, consisting of the energy
efficiency existing ship index(EEXI) and the annual
operational carbon intensity
indicator rating (CII rating),
which were approved in
November 2020.

181

Future action policy
data, the government will
promote the development ofan environment, such as API
linkage and thestandardization of necessary
data. These data will be used
to accelerate data-driven
research in the ocean field.
[MEXT, MLIT]
・Amid the intensification ofactivities related to the Arctic,
we will steadily construct the
Arctic research vessels, andcontinue to conduct
observations and research in
the Arctic, as well as
developing human resources
for research, in order to
respond to the needs of global
challenges, such as climatechange, and to contribute to
the sustainable use of the
Arctic. In addition, Japan will
make use of the outcomes of
the Third Arctic Science
Ministerial to promoteinternational cooperation andcollaboration with othercountries and promote theenhancement of Japan's
presence through science andtechnology. [MEXT]・In order to promote theintroduction of offshore wind
power generation, thegovernment will appropriately
implement the Act on
Promoting the Utilization of
Sea Areas in Development ofPower Generation Facilities
Using Maritime Renewable
Energy Resources, and basedon the Offshore Wind
Industry Vision (Phase 1)
formulated in December
2020, the government will
make a commitment to create
attractive domestic markets,
thereby creating a competitiveand resilient domestic supply
chain by attracting domestic
and foreign investment andpromoting investment throughimproving the businessenvironment, etc.
Furthermore, with a view toexpanding into Asia, we will

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation
status and current status

Future action policy
engage in next-generation
technology development andinternational cooperation, andpromote the creation of nextgeneration industries that willsurvive international
competition. [METI, MLIT]・In order to actively contributeto taking measures in theinternational shipping sector
against climate change, and tostrengthen the international
competitiveness of themaritime industry in Japan,
we will promote to thedevelopment andmplementation of low-carbon
and decarbonizing
technologies for ships andformulate of internationalrules to promote the spread of
new greener ships. [MLIT](8)Food, agriculture, forestry and fisheriesSpecific measures under the
Basic Plan
Today, it is necessary toprotect and develop Japan'sabundant food and environment
by utilizing the power of scienceand technology, and tostrengthen the international
competitiveness of the
agriculture, forestry, andfisheries industries in order toexpand exports by capturing
expanding overseas demand. In
particular, in order to respond to
the diverse needs of farmers, it isnecessary for farmers todramatically improve
productivity and contribute toincome growth by fully utilizing
data and implementing
innovative agriculture
incorporating smart agricultural
technology.
For this reason, during theperiod of the Sixth Basic Plan,
the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries
formulates the Strategy for
Research and Innovation
176

Analysis of implementation
status and current status
・ Demonstrating an unmanned
autmated driving system withremote monitoring, including
movement between fields, weachieved the targets set forth inJapan Revitalization Strategy
2016 176.
・We are promoting R&D to
expand the functions of the
agricultural data linkage
infrastructure not only for
production but also for theentire food chain, including
processing, distribution andconsumption.
・The smart agriculture
demonstration project, whichaims to accelerate the social
implementation of smart
agriculture by demonstrating
smart agriculture, started in
FY2019 and has been
conducted at 179 sites
nationwide.
・We are pursuing aggressive
R&D toward realizing theMoonshot Goal #5, Creation

Cabinet decision of June 2, 2016
182

Future action policy
Based on the Strategy for
Sustainable Food Systems, froma medium- to long-term
perspective, the government will
promote initiatives at each stage
from procurement to
consumption and innovation to
reduce environmental impact,
such as carbon neutrality, withthe aim of expanding
employment, improving local
income, and realizing a rich diet.
Specifically,
・We will promote theprocurement of sustainable
materials and energy, thefurther utilization of regional
and unused resources, theestablishment of systems andtechnology development for
the reuse and recycling ofresources, and the eliminationof imports, decarbonization,and environmental impact
reduction in materials andenergy procurement. [MAFF
relevant ministries andSpecific measures under the
Analysis of implementation
Future action policy
Basic Plan
status and current status
Concerning Agriculture,of the industry that enables
agencies]
Forestry and Fisheries every
sustainable global food supply ・The government will promote
fiscal year based on the Basicby exploiting unused
the conversion to a
Plan for Food, Agriculture andbiological resources by 2050.
sustainable production system
Rural Areas 174 and promotes・In May 2020, the government
compatible with highsmart agriculture, forestry andformulated Agriculture,
productivity, the promotion offisheries policies, environmental
Forestry and Fisheries
smart agriculture, forestry andpolicies, and biotechnology
Research Innovation Strategy
fisheries, the electrification
policies in cooperation with2020 to promote various
and hydrogenation ofvarious fields other thanpolicies on smart agriculture,machinery, the greening ofagriculture, forestry, andforestry and fisheries, thematerials, the development
fisheries. Among these policies,
environment andand dissemination of
the Ministry will contribute tobiotechnology.
environmentally friendly
the improvement of Japan's・In December 2020, thesuper breed varieties, theagricultural brand power and theStrategy for Sustainable Food
long-term and mass storage ofreduction of food loss by
Systems was published. In
carbon in agricultural land,
deploying production bases
January 2021, the committee
forests and oceans, theutilizing Japan's smart
began exchanging opinions
improvement of labor safety
agriculture technologies andwith producers, organizations,and productivity, thesystems in the Asia-Pacificand companies, and released
expansion of the base ofregion and other regions. In the
an interim report in March. A
producers, the appropriate
forestry and fisheries sectors, thestrategy was formulated inmanagement of fishery
Ministry will also steadilyMay.
resources, and theimplement new technologies
establishment of a sustainable
such as ICT, AI forestry andproduction system throughfisheries sectors. In addition,
innovation. [MAFF, relevant
based on the Plan to Create
ministries and agencies]
Dynamism through Agriculture,・We will establish a
Forestry, and Fisheries andsustainable processing and
Local Communities 175, thedistribution system that is freeGreen Food System Strategy,
from waste and waste bywhich will be formulated bypromoting the switch to
May 2021, and demonstrate thesustainable imported food andvision for 2050 to realize bothraw materials, promoting
the productivity improvement
environmental activities,
and the sustainability of food,streamlining and optimizing
agriculture, forestry andprocessing and distribution
fisheries through innovation.
through the use of data andAI, developing packaging
materials for long-term
storage and transportation,
decarbonizing, andstrengthening thecompetitiveness of the foodindustry with consideration
for health and theenvironment. [MAFF,
relevant ministries andagencies]
・We will promote sustainableconsumption such as reducing
food loss, promoting mutual
174

Cabinet decision of March 31, 2020

175

Decision of the Headquarters for the Revitalization of Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and (chair: Prime Minister) on December 10,

2013(revised on December 15, 2020).
183

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation
status and current status

184

Future action policy
understanding throughinteraction between
consumers and producers,
comprehensively promoting anutritionally well-balanced
Japanese diet, promoting theconversion of buildings towooden structures andlifestyles, promoting the
expansion of sustainableconsumption of marine
products, expanding
environmentally friendly
sustainable consumption, andpromoting dietary education.
[MAFF, relevant ministries
and agencies]
・We will promote
infrastructure development,
promote innovation from rural
areas, promote urban
agriculture with diverse
functions, promote the use ofdiverse agricultural land,develop and conserve foreststhat support food production
and livelihood infrastructure,conserve and create seagrassbeds and tidal flats, anddemonstrate the multifaceted
functions of fisheries andfishing villages to create
sustainable rural areas that
support food systems. [MAFF,
relevant ministries andagencies]
・We will establish andcollaborate on fundamental
technologies across the entire
supply chain by promoting
industry-academiagovernment collaboration thathas a virtuous cycle of people,
knowledge, and funds;
establishing and utilizing
infrastructure to promote
innovation; expanding
investment in humanresources development andfuture technologies; building
a global research system;
strategically utilizing
intellectual property;
strengthening breed variety
development capabilities; andbuilding smart food chains.
[MAFF, relevant ministries

Specific measures under the
Basic Plan

Analysis of implementation
status and current status

185

Future action policy
and agencies]
・We will work to maximize theabsorption and fixation of
CO2 by fully utilizing forests
and timber for carbon
neutrality, such as improving
forest absorption throughforestry innovation, andmaximizing the effects ofcarbon storage and CO2
emissions reduction throughexpanded use of timber.
[MAFF, relevant ministries
and agencies]

5. Revitalizing the flow of funds to create knowledge and value[Ideal vision and direction toward its realization]
In order to realize Society 5.0, cyberspace and physical space will be able to merge and create newvalue by creating a digital twin using a wide variety of high-quality data in cyberspace. On the basis of
this digital twin, physical space will be changed by actively using AI, and the results will be reproduced
in cyberspace. This society will be transformed into a society that creates a dynamic virtuous cycle thatis constantly changing.
The government will invest in activities to create knowledge and create economic and social values torealize Society 5.0 (according to estimates by Keidanren 177 and other organizations, the total cumulative
investment required for the 15 years to 2030 will be 844 trillion yen.). It will also aim to significantly
expand public and private investment, utilizing various financial resources, in order to expand businessby doing so.
To this end, the government will secure sufficient investment in basic research by steadily securing thegovernment's budget for science and technology, promoting industry-academia joint research, andestablishing funds comparable to those of the world, and will strengthen responses to nationally important
issues through public-private cooperation.
In addition to these measures, the government will mobilize all policy tools, including the R&D
Promotion Tax System, SBIR, innovation in government projects, and promotion of public procurementof research outcomes, in order to create an environment conducive to private investment. At the sametime, the government will promote innovation management that places sustainability at the heart ofbusiness.
[Target]While other countries are planning large-scale research and development investments in anticipation of
the post-corona era, Japan will secure a daring size of government R&D investments in order to survive
the fierce competition between countries.
In addition, efforts will be made to induce private sector investment in research and development.
[Key targets in science, technology, and innovation policies] (Key indicators)
Total value of government R&D investments 178 between FY2021 and FY2025: approx. 30 trillion yen
The total amount of research and development investment between FY2021 and FY2025, including boththe public and private sectors, is approximately 120 trillion yen (Taking into account synergies between
government investment and promotion of private investment, as well as the level of our country's shareof government-funded research funds).

177

Joint report by Keidanren, the University of Tokyo, and the GPIF, Evolution of ESG investment, realization of Society 5.0, andachievement of SDGs (March 26, 2020)
178

Taking into account the diversification of funding sources for investment in science, technology, and innovation policies, including

the establishment of University Endowment Fund, the government will consider appropriate methods of identifying research anddevelopment investment during the period of the Sixth Basic Plan, while paying close attention to trends in the OECD Frascati Manual.

186

[Current data] (Reference index)

・ Total R&D expenditure by the public and private sectors: 3.50% against the target of 4% of GDP(FY2019) 179
・ Science and technology budget during the Fifth Basic Plan period: approximately 26.1 trillion yen(Including Green Innovation Fund projects and 10 trillion yen University Endowment Funds: 28.6
trillion yen) 180 (as of March 2021)
・ Total amount of R&D expenditure executed by national university corporations, research anddevelopment corporations, and the inter-university research institute corporations: approximately 600
billion yen 181 (FY2018)
・ Investment in intangible assets in Japan, including investment in corporate capacity building: 53.9
trillion yen (2015) 182
・ ESG investment: Japan’s investment balance approximately 336 trillion yen (2019) 183
・ Impact investment: Japan's investment balance approximately 317.9 billion yen (2019) 184① Expansion of public and private sector investment
Specific measures under the Basic
Analysis of implementation
Future action policyPlanstatus and current status○The government budget for・As other countries are also
・The Cabinet Office andscience and technology shall besignificantly increasing theirrelated ministries andexpanded during the period ofinvestment in science andagencies will work together tothe Sixth Basic Plan, taking fulltechnology innovation, it isimprove the quality of scienceaccount of the constantimportant for Japan to secureand technology andimprovement of the quality ofa daring size of government
innovation policies byscience, technology, andR&D investments in order toreviewing evidence-based
innovation policies and thesurvive the fierce
projects based on evidence
fiscal sustainability. [STI,international competition.
through the use of e-CSTI,
relevant ministries and・Although the size of Japan's
etc., and to expand theagencies]
science and technology
government's budget forbudget exceeds that ofscience and technology.
Germany and the United[Relevant ministries andKingdom in terms of theagencies]
ratio to GDP, a decline in its
research capabilities has
been pointed out. Therefore,
it is important to address the
improvement of research
productivity and the qualityof science, technology, andinnovation policies as
179

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 2020 Results of the Survey of Research and Development (December 2020)

180

While maintaining consistency with the economic and fiscal revitalization plan, the target is set at 1% of GDP, and if the averagenominal GDP growth rate during the period is assumed to be 3.3%, the target is approximately 26 trillion yen.
181

A total of 604.7 billion yen was collected for 26-70 year-old researchers from 117 out of 119 institutions surveyed at e-CSTI.

182

JIP Database 2018. Japan's ratio of investment in intangible assets to GDP is low compared with other countries, and investment ineconomic competitiveness in particular has been at a low level.
183

Sustainable Investment Survey 2019184

GSG National Advisory Committee, Current Status of Impact Investment in Japan 2019, revised edition (2020)187

Specific measures under the Basic
Plan

Analysis of implementation
Future action policy
status and current statusessential issues.
・ The necessary budget forscience and technology was
secured in the FY2021
budget.
○In order to promote the・While major universities
・By the summer of 2021, thedevelopment of shared facilities
around the world have an
government will formulate aand data collaboration
ample financial base thanks
basic policy on theinfrastructure and theto a fund of several trillion
management of University
development of young humanyen, universities in Japan
Endowment Fund, compile an
resources at universities thathave extremely limited
interim report on the
conduct R&D at a level
financial resources, and therequirements and necessary
comparable to that in the world,
gap with the world's top
reforms required for research
the government will construct auniversities continues touniversities that are on a parworld-class researchwiden.
with the world, and compile ainfrastructure by promptly
・It has become difficult toconclusion on a new legal
realizing a fund approximately
provide young researchers
framework by the end of
10 trillion yen and utilizing its
with sufficient salaries and2021, and submit it to the next
investment profits. [STI,
posts, and the number ofordinary Diet session. [STI,
MEXT]
stable posts for young
MEXT]
researchers is decreasing
・The basic concept ofyear by year. The rate of
University Endowment Fundadvancement to doctoral
management will becourses has become low due
formulated around theto anxiety about future posts.
summer of 2021, and the fund・As international competition
management will begin by theintensifies, researchend of FY2021. In addition,foundations in Japan havebased on the system design of
become fragile, and ouruniversity reforms, etc., ancountry's research capacity
expansion of University(the number of high-quality
Endowment Fund to the scale
papers) has declinedof 10 trillion yen will be
relatively.
planned by the end of
・In order to establish the
FY2021. [STI, MEXT]
University Endowment Fundwith a scale of 10 trillion
yen, the Act on Japan
Science and Technology
Agency was amended in the
204 ordinary session of theDiet, and as a part ofresources of this fund,government secured500
billion yen as for investment(the third supplementarybudget of FY2020) and 4
trillion yen (the initial planamount of fiscal investment
and loan program of
FY2021) to Japan Scienceand Technology Agency(JST).
○From the perspective of・We continue to collect data
・We will continue to collectstrengthening Japan's basic
based on the Guidelines fordata based on the Guidelines
research capabilities, the trend
the Promotion of Datafor the Promotion of Dataof research funds at national,
Standardization for theStandardization for the
public, and private universities
Analysis of Research
Analysis of Research
188

Specific measures under the Basic
Analysis of implementation
Future action policyPlanstatus and current status
and inter-university research
Capabilities.
Capabilities. [STI]
institutes will be analyzed and・In developing the analysis
・In developing the analyticalmonitored. [MEXT]
function of e-CSTI, thefunction of e-CSTI, the results
results of analytical that areof analysis that are considered
considered to be effective
to be effective for trend
for trend analysis of researchanalysis of research funds willfunds are shared with the
be shared with the relevant
relevant ministries andministries and agencies andagencies and published.
published. [STI]・The trend of research funds will
be monitored using various
statistics. [MEXT]② Improvement of the private investment environment
Specific measures under
Analysis of
the Basic Plan
implementation status
and current status○The R&D tax system will be
・In the Tax Reform Outline
enhanced in order to encourage
for FY2021 (approved by
the medium- to long-term andthe Cabinet on December
innovative R&D of private
21, 2020), revisions toenterprises, maintain andspecial measures for test andexpand R&D investment, andresearch funds, the upper
thereby create knowledge,
limit of tax credits, andvalue, and innovation. [METI,
cloud-based software wererelevant ministries andimplemented.
agencies]○In order to continuously create
・In the Tax Reform Outline
knowledge and value, thefor FY2021 (approved bygovernment will endeavor to
the Cabinet on December
build a brand, improve21, 2020), revisions tomanagement organizations,special measures for test andimprove the quality of humanresearch funds, the upper
resources through education
limit of tax credits, andand training, and create an
cloud-based software wereenvironment conducive toimplemented.
investment in intangible assets
such as software and databases[METI]○The government will promote
・In the Positive Impact
ESG finance and impact
Finance Task Force underfinance as a form of
the ESG Finance High Level
development of ESG finance toPanel, Basic Approach tomainstream finance that pursues
Impact Finance (July 2020)
positive impact on society, theand "Guide to Impact
economy, and the environment.
Assessment Starting with
In particular, the government
Green" (March 2021) were
will aim to ensure that allcompiled.
institutional investors andfinancial institutions implement
impact finance in all asset
classes. In FY2021, thegovernment will develop a
promotion system for major
189

Future action policy

・In FY2021, the government
will promote the applicationof the system bydisseminating and publicizing
the contents of the revisions.
In FY2022 and beyond, we
will examine the effects of therevisions.
・In FY2021, the government
will promote the applicationof the system bydisseminating and publicizing
the contents of the revisions.
In FY2022 and beyond, we
will examine the effects of therevisions. [METI]・We will promote
implementation of impact
finance in all asset classes bydisseminating the BasicApproach to Impact Financeand the Impact Assessment
Guide Starting with Greenand formulating specificprojects through model
projects. [MOE]Specific measures underthe Basic Plan

Analysis of
implementation status
and current status

Future action policy

financial institutions andinstitutional investors, and as
the next step, the government
will encourage a ripple effecton efforts towards regional
financial institutions and small
and medium-sized, andindividual investors . [FSA,
METI, MOE]
○Society 5.0 Indicators will be ・Discussions were held on
・ We will examine investment
developed by the end of FY2022
measures to activate the flow
details and related statistics toto grasp the status of investmentof funds for investment inrealize Society 5.0. [STI]
toward realization. [STI]science, technology andinnovation towardrealization of Society 5.0.

190

6. Strengthening control tower functions in Council for Science, Technology and Innovation(1)Strengthening functions to utilize the convergence of knowledge and formulation of policies forthe future and dissemination of information
Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Analysis of
implementation status
and current status
In order to solve social issues, it is・The Sixth Basic Plan
necessary to present new values and to
was formulated using
take a systematic approach, in addition
the foresightapproach.
to the approaches that are an extension
The same applies toof conventional approaches. In order toIntegrated Strategic
respond to issues such as theInnovation Strategy
institutional and ethical aspects and2021.
social acceptance that arise when new
・In March 2021, thetechnologies are used in society, we will
Cabinet Office began
construct a system that can utilize theusing social media toconvergence of knowledge including
disseminate
the humanities and social sciences. In
information on
this process, in 2030, we will draw up ascience, technology,social image for which to aim further
and innovation
down the road, and systematize policies
policies.
by taking a back-cast approach fromthat social image. In addition, we will
firmly grasp and analyze the current
situation, formulate new policies for the
future by taking a forward-cast
approach, and take a foresight approachby combining these. 185.
In policy formulation, multi-layeredscience and technology communication
with society and informationtransmission to the public and diverse
sectors are also important. In light of
the importance of Science for Policy inan age in which t trans-science 186 isemphasized, it is important for
academia, politics, and administration
to share a recognition of issues andassumptions, and to provide
independent and appropriate advice andrecommendations based on scientificknowledge. For example, theestablishment of a mechanism toconnect these parties will be examined.

Future action policy

・We will formulate the annual
Integrated Innovation Strategy
using comprehensive
knowledge and a foresightapproach. [STI]・We will continue todisseminate information
through various media
including social media. [STI]・We will follow up on efforts
by each stakeholder toconsider ways to deal withproblems with a transscientific structure. [STI](2)Strengthening policymaking functions and ensuring policy effectiveness through the use of theevidence system (e-CSTI)Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Analysis of
implementation status

Future action policy

185

An activity in which various pieces of information are combined to examine a rapidly changing, complex and uncertain future.

186

A question that can be asked of science but cannot be answered by science alone.
191

In science, technology, andinnovation administration, the EBPM ofpolicy formulation based on objective
evidence shall be thoroughly
implemented, and policy formulation
based on evidence shall be carried out
in all relevant ministries and agencies
by FY2023. In doing so, theperformance of management ofgovernment R&D investment thatserves as a catalyst for private
investment, various measures including
advanced corporate management(EBMgt 187) in national universities andresearch and development agencies, andnational strategy planning shall be
improved by utilizing the evidence
system (e-CSTI).

and current status
・We will strive tofurther enhance theanalytical functions of
e-CSTI and promote
the sharing ofanalytical functions
with relatedorganizations such as
related ministries andagencies, national
universities, andresearch anddevelopment agencies.

・A scheme will be established tofacilitate the smooth use of eCSTI data in implementing
Evidence-based Policymaking
at the relevant ministries andagencies. [STI](3)Implementation of policy evaluation and formulation of integrated strategies linked to the Sixth
Basic Plan
Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Analysis of
Future action policy
implementation status
and current status
Based on the direction of medium・Integrated Innovation
・By analyzing the relationshipand long-term policies indicated in theStrategy 2021 was
between various indicators
Sixth Basic Plan, the Integrated
formulated as anand outputs, we will promote
Strategy has been formulated as anannual plan to promote
the development of evaluation
annual strategy since FY2013, andthe Sixth Science andinfrastructure that canmeasures that should be given special
Technology Basic
simulate changes in outputs
emphasis in that fiscal year have beenPlan.
due to the promotion ofdetermined based on the changes in the ・Indicators werevarious policies through esituation every year.
established to monitor
CSTI. At the same time, theDuring the period of the Sixth Basic
the progress of theideal way of utilizing thisPlan as well, measures that should be
Sixth Basic Plan.
function will be studied by thegiven particular emphasis in each fiscal ・The viewpoints for the
Expert Panel on Evaluation.
year will be indicated in the annual
evaluation, analysis[STI]
strategy by clarifying their relevance toand monitoring of the・We will monitor the progress
the Sixth Basic Plan. In this regard, theBasic Plan wereof the Basic Plan byprogress of the Sixth Basic Plan will besummarized by themonitoring key indicators andcontinuously monitored and evaluatedExpert Panel onreference indicators. [STI]by an expert committee for evaluation
Evaluation.
At the same time, we willusing indicators. The results will be
develop methods for assessing
used in the formulation of the Annual
and analyzing progress. [STI]Strategy and the next Basic Plan. In
・We will conduct surveys andaddition, the Sixth Basic Plan will be
studies to establish arevised as necessary to promote flexible
mechanism to collectscience, technology, and innovation
information that supports thepolicies in response to changes in social
evaluation and analysis of theconditions, etc. For this purpose, theprogress of the Basic Plan.
functions of e-CSTI will be[STI]continuously expanded, the collectionof monitoring indicators will be
187

Management based on evidence
192automated, and the basis for crosssectoral evaluation will be put into
operation by the end of FY2023. In
addition, research and studies will be
carried out to upgrade the EBPM,
including the development of analyticalmethods, and the indicators will be
continuously improved and revised.
(4)Ensuring effectiveness of control tower functions
Specific measures under the Basic Plan

Analysis of
Future action policy
implementation status
and current status
Command and control centers such as ・In April 2021, the・In order to ensure the
CSTI, the Strategic Headquarters for the
Science, Technology
effectiveness of the control
Promotion of an Advanced Information
and Innovation
tower functions, theand Telecommunications Network
Promotion Secretariat
government will continue toSociety, the Intellectual Property
was established in the
promote cooperation with
Strategy Headquarters, the Headquarters
Cabinet Office.
relevant control towerfor Healthcare and Medical Strategy
・Through the Integrated
meetings and relevant
Promotion, the Strategic Headquarters
Innovation Strategy
ministries and agencies
for National Space Policy, and thePromotion Council,
through the Integrated
Headquarters for Ocean Policy, all of
the government will
Innovation Strategy
which are closely related to science,
strengthen cooperation
Promotion Council, etc.
technology, and innovation policies, arewith related control[STI]
・The status of therequired to strengthen their commandtower function
strengthening of the control
and-control functions to coordinate
meetings and relevant
tower functions by thepolicies across-the-board. To this end, theministries andScience, Technology and
Act for Establishment of the Cabinet
agencies.
Innovation Promotion
Office was amended to establish the・Toward a Better Role
Secretariat will be reviewed,
Office for the Promotion of Science,for Science Council ofand if necessary, the control
Technology, and Innovation in April
Japan was reported in
tower functions and their
2021.
Science Council ofWith regard to science, technology,
structure will be reviewed.
Japan (April 22, 2021).
and innovation-related policies promoted[STI]
by related command and control centers
・The Council of Experts will
and related ministries and agencies, ahold policy discussions on
system will be established as soon as
the modality of Science
possible so that the secretariat can
Council of Japan and deepen
effectively work out coordination
discussions. [Cabinet Office]functions such as eliminating
overlapping policies and promoting
collaboration.
In order to realize Society 5.0, CSTI
will further deepen cooperation with theabove-mentioned command and control
centers and the Science Council of Japan,
and strengthen cooperative relations withvarious councils of relevant ministries
and agencies in policy studies. In
addition, based on the progress ofconcrete reform of the Science Councilof Japan in order for it to play a betterrole as the representative institution ofscientists in Japan, new cooperative
relations will be established according to
the roles required of the Science Councilof Japan.
193

194

List of abbreviations*Abbreviations of ministries and agencies used in [] are as follows:Abbreviation

Name of Ministries and Agencies

CPB

Cabinet Personnel Bureau

IT

National Strategy Office of Information andCommunication Technology

Cabinet Secretariat

G-Space

Geospatial Information Utilization Promotion Office

Expo

Secretariat of the Headquarters for the World Expo

NPA
Reconstruction

National Personnel Authority (NPA)
Reconstruction Agency

EFSS

Director General for Economic, Fiscal and Social
Structures

DisasterDirector-General for Disaster Management

REVIC

Office for Regional Economy Vitalization
Corporation of Japan

Gender Equality

Gender Equality Bureau

Regulatory
ReformOffice of Regulatory Reform

OPDVLE

Office for the Promotion of Overcoming Population
Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan

SIPSH

Secretariat of the Intellectual Property Strategy
Headquarters

STI

Science, Technology, and Innovation Promotion
Secretariat

Healthcare

Cabinet Office

Healthcare Policy Promotion Secretariat

Space

National Space Policy Secretariat

CCRA

Child and Child-Rearing Administration
National Ocean Policy Secretariat

Ocean
AMED

Office for Japan Agency for Medical Research andDevelopment (AMED) and Medical Information
Infrastructure

JFTCJapan Fair Trade Commission

PolicePPC

National Public Safety
National Police Agency
Commission
Personal Information Protection Commission
Secretariat

FSA

Financial Services Agency

MIC

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

195

Abbreviation

Name of Ministries and Agencies

MOFA

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

MEXT

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

MHLW

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

MAFF

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

METI

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

MLIT

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

MOE

Ministry of the Environment

MOD

Ministry of Defense

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