Third Science and Technology Basic Plan (Japan)
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| Third Science and Technology Basic Plan (Japan) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Third Science and Technology Basic Plan |
| Country | Japan |
| Adopted | 2006 |
| Period | 2006–2011 |
| Responsible | Cabinet of Japan |
| Preceding | Second Science and Technology Basic Plan |
| Succeeding | Fourth Science and Technology Basic Plan |
Third Science and Technology Basic Plan (Japan) The Third Science and Technology Basic Plan, adopted in 2006 by the Cabinet of Japan, set national directions for research, development, and innovation for the period 2006–2011. Framed amid demographic change and global competition, it sought to coordinate policies across ministries, promote industrial revitalization, and strengthen links between public research institutions and private industry. The Plan built on precedents established under earlier strategies associated with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan), and advisory bodies such as the Council for Science and Technology Policy.
Background and formulation
Development of the Plan followed deliberations in the Prime Minister of Japan's office, consultations with the Diet of Japan's committees, and input from institutional actors including the Japan Science and Technology Agency, Riken, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, and leading universities like University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Osaka University. Historical antecedents included the First Science and Technology Basic Plan (Japan) and the Second Science and Technology Basic Plan (Japan), as well as policy lessons from the Lost Decade (Japan) and globalization trends affecting corporations such as Toyota Motor Corporation and Sony. International comparisons with the European Research Area, United States National Science Foundation, and initiatives like Horizon 2020 informed benchmarking and target-setting.
Objectives and priorities
The Plan articulated explicit objectives: strengthen Japan's competitiveness in strategic sectors, address societal challenges linked to Aging of Japan, and foster innovation ecosystems around national laboratories and private firms including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Hitachi. Priority fields identified included life sciences (engaging institutions like Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development and Keio University), information and communications technology (with relevance to NTT and Fujitsu), nanotechnology (linked to Toyota Central R&D Labs), environmental technology (drawing on work by JAXA and Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation), and energy research (including collaborations with Tokyo Electric Power Company and research at Tohoku University). Cross-cutting themes involved human resource development, intellectual property strategies interacting with Japan Patent Office, and regional innovation policies connecting prefectural governments such as Osaka Prefecture and Aichi Prefecture.
Key initiatives and funding allocations
Major initiatives included increased funding streams to core agencies: enhanced budgets for the Japan Science and Technology Agency and strategic grants to centers of excellence at Hokkaido University, Nagoya University, and Waseda University. The Plan promoted public–private partnerships anchored by organizations like the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization and the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan. Financial instruments included targeted competitive grants, tax incentives coordinated with the Ministry of Finance (Japan), and seed funding mechanisms reminiscent of venture schemes tied to Japan Venture Capital Association. International collaboration was emphasized through joint projects with partners such as NASA, European Space Agency, and bilateral programs with South Korea and United States. Allocation priorities shifted some resources from large-scale physics projects towards applied research in biotechnology and information technology, aligning with corporate needs at firms like Canon Inc. and Panasonic Corporation.
Governance and implementation framework
Implementation relied on the Council for Science and Technology Policy chaired by the Prime Minister of Japan, with coordination across ministries: the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Japan), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan), and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Japan). Program delivery used institutions such as Riken and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency alongside national universities governed by the National University Corporation framework. Evaluation mechanisms invoked periodic reviews by expert panels including academics from Osaka Prefecture University and corporate representatives from Sumitomo Chemical. Legal and administrative instruments included revisions to grant terms, competitive procurement handled under Public Accounting Law (Japan), and coordination through regional science councils in cities like Fukuoka and Sapporo.
Outcomes, evaluations, and impact
Evaluations credited the Plan with strengthening translational links between national laboratories and private firms, contributing to commercialization efforts at companies such as Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and Shionogi. Measurable outcomes included increased patent filings at the Japan Patent Office in priority sectors, growth in university–industry research collaborations, and establishment of new research centers at Tohoku University and Kyushu University. Internationally, Japan sustained high rankings in indicators by organizations like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and participated in multinational research consortia alongside the European Commission. Critics acknowledged progress in targeted fields but noted uneven regional diffusion, varied performance across disciplines, and mixed effectiveness in reversing long-term productivity trends exemplified by comparisons with South Korea and United States R&D outcomes.
Criticisms and controversies
Controversies included debates over budget priorities, with some scholars and think tanks such as the Japan Center for Economic Research arguing the Plan underfunded basic science in favor of applied research benefiting established corporations like Mitsubishi Electric. Concerns were raised about governance transparency, the role of vested interests linked to industrial conglomerates including Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corporation, and the adequacy of measures to foster start-ups referenced by the Japan Venture Capital Association. Ethical and societal critiques emerged in biotechnology and stem cell research debates involving institutions like Riken and Keio University, while security commentators questioned dual-use implications in information technology research. Post-implementation reviews in the Diet of Japan informed subsequent policy adjustments embodied in later plans.