Respect for age may be an admirable part of Japanese culture, but it does not conform well to the timetable of scientific genius. But in Japan, says Yuichiro Anzai, science dean at Keio University, the science establishment is almost an apprentice system, in which novice scientists are expected to spend long years toiling in the shadow of a senior professor, dependent on him all the while for research money. In fact, until recently, nearly all research grants were awarded by seniority, regardless of research activities or results, making it impossible for young researchers to raise money to pursue a promising idea. That is now changing, because most of the new money is awarded through a competitive process that is based on the merits of research proposals. As a result, Tokyo University, Japan's most prestigious, wins the largest share of research money and has one of the highest success rates for grant applications.
Many scientists are privately bitter and say the process is unfair.
Rules, rules, rules. Money comes with strings. New grants, for example, have more money allocated for postdoctoral research assistance, but wages are capped at a low level, making the jobs unattractive. Allocations for equipment, travel, and other expenses are rigidly controlled, and money not spent by the end of the fiscal year in March must go back to the government. Koji Suematsu, science dean at Tokyo University, says the paperwork is overwhelming, with every tiny purchase of spare parts or batteries requiring at least five reporting forms.