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Establishment of Council for Science and Technology Policy (2001), The 2nd Science and Technology Basic Plan (2001-2005)

Administrative reform: Establishment of the independent administrative institutions (2001) Intellectual-property-oriented nation: Establishment of the Intellectual Property Basic Act,

establishment of the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters (2003) University reform: Establishment of the National University Corporations (2004)

The 1st Science and Technology Basic Plan (1996-2000)

The 3rd Science Technology Basic Plan (2006-2010) Long-term Strategic Guidelines “Innovation 25” (2007) Act on Enhancement of Research and Development Capacity and Efficient Promotion, etc (2008)

Enactment of Science and Technology Basic Law (1995)Enactment of Science and Technology Basic Law (1995)

Formulation of the 4th Science Technology Basic Plan(2011-2015)

Basic Act on Ocean Policy (2007)Aerospace Basic Act (2008)

Basic Act on Ocean Policy (2007)Aerospace Basic Act (2008)

Toward a Science-Technology-Oriented NationToward a Science-Technology-Oriented Nation

as of October 2011

科学・技術、イノベーションで未来を切り拓く！

The 4th Basic Plan

Integral Promotion of S&T and innovation Integral Promotion of S&T and innovation

Major Feature of the 4th S&T Basic PlanMajor Feature of the 4th S&T Basic Plan

The 2nd and 3rd S&T Basic PlanPrioritized in the 8 Research Areas (Life science, IT, Environment, Nanotech-

Materials, Energy, Manufacturing, Social infrastructure, Frontier)

Japan has long invested in discipline-oriented S&T

Issue-driven STI

Basic research and Human resources

Now is the time for the knowledge integration in S&T across disciplines to transform the multiple challenges towards opportunities of sustainable growth and societal prosperity

Policy Shift!

(tentative translation)

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（参考）

Overview of the 4th S&T Basic PlanOverview of the 4th S&T Basic Plan

Development of S&T-related human resources

○ Support for entry into doctoral courses, and diversification of career paths

In order to encourage outstanding students to continue on to postgraduate doctoral courses, in addition to the financial support provided at university, there needs to be guarantees, not only at university, but in industry and the community as well, that there will be diverse career paths after completing the course, which make full use of their expertise. For this reason, the government will significantly bolster financial support for doctoral students, as well as career development support for both students and graduates.

(tentative translation)

（参考）

Overview of the 4th S&T Basic PlanOverview of the 4th S&T Basic Plan

Development of S&T-related human resources

○ Support for entry into doctoral courses, and diversification of career paths

<Promotion measures> The government will enhance benefit-type financial support, such as fellowships, teaching

assistants (TA) and research assistants (RA) so that outstanding students are able to aim for graduate school with a sense of security. Through these efforts, the government will endeavor to achieve the goal established in the 3rd Basic Plan of “enabling 20 percent of doctoral students to receive an amount equivalent to their living expenses” ahead of schedule. Moreover, in addition to implementing measures to reduce the burden on household budgets, such as reductions of tuition fees and the granting of scholarships, the government will encourage the self-help efforts of universities which utilize donations, etc. from the private sector.

The government will require universities to collaborate with industry and educate doctoral students with the management skills required in industry as well as basic skills that cross multiple specialized areas. Moreover, industry will be expected to recognize the abilities of the doctoral degree graduates and postdoctoral fellows and to sometimes promote their appointment to non-research positions.

The national government, local governments, universities, public research institutions and industry will cooperate with each other and further promote career development support, such as enhancing opportunities at companies, etc. for long-term internships according to the aptitude, wishes and specialist areas of the doctoral degree students, graduates and postdoctoral fellows.

(tentative translation)