Proactively promoting the importance of innovation and Japan's strengths: Interview with Minoru Kiuchi, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy

To enhance Japan's research capabilities, it is important to increase the total amount of expenditure on research and development (R&D). Minister of State Minoru Kiuchi (in charge of science, technology, and innovation policy, economic security, and space policy) gave an interview to the press. Kiuchi Minoru was elected seven times in Shizuoka Prefecture 7th Ward. He has served as Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Senior Vice-Minister of Environment. He also has experience as Director of the Liberal Democratic Party's Economy, Trade and Industry Division, and Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs.

First, secure general funds for research - International collaboration to strengthen Japan's research capabilities and new measures to prevent technology leakage

— Germany is increasing its competitiveness. What can we learn from them?

Over the past decade, Germany has continuously expanded its investment in both basic and competitive funding. This is true for universities and research institutions. Its GDP has risen in recent years. German papers have maintained a high level in thesis rankings and other indicators.

In particular, the government has been steadily increasing basic funding for public research institutes, like the Max Planck Society. This is ongoing every year. They're also actively investing in growth areas through competitive funding via Germany's Future Strategy for Research and Innovation. This is Germany's basic policy for science, technology, and innovation.

Looking at the situation in Germany, the first step for us is to secure general R&D funding. That's the important point. In doing so, we need to enhance both basic and competitive research funds. Basic funds support stable, continuous research at universities. Competitive research funds support excellent research and research with specific objectives as well as priority investment in growth areas. We need to promote these efforts in a well-balanced manner.

We're in the process of making our current budget requests. So, we will work with the relevant ministries and agencies to expand R&D investment. At the same time, we're aiming to strengthen Japan's research capabilities and create innovation.

— Can you tell us about the K Program (Key and Advanced Technology R&D through Cross Community Collaboration Program)?

The K Program has selected 50 target technologies so far, and R&D on them is starting in order. The point of these target technologies is to safeguard and strengthen Japan's economic security. These are all important research topics, related to advanced key technologies in the fields of AI, quantum science, space, ocean science, and others. So, we are looking to add technologies that contribute to Japan's food security to the list of target technologies for the K Program. Currently, we're in discussions with experts and relevant ministries and agencies about that. While we plan to add these technologies to the Program in the future, we will first conduct solid R&D on them. That way, we can work to achieve maximum results in technologies that will contribute to our food security.

Raw materials for feed and fertilizer are indispensable for Japan's survival, but we import most of them. So, we're examining ways to make more effective use of fertilizer ingredients and reduce the use of fertilizer, for example.

— What about measures to address the decline in Japan's research capacity?

In recent years, top paper rankings and other indicators have shown a declining trend in Japan's relative research strength. This has created a great sense of urgency. The decline is due to issues related to the research environment. The number of research hours available for researchers has decreased. There's a lack of support systems for researchers. And then, there are issues related to research funding, such as budgets being too small compared to universities worldwide. Furthermore, there are issues related to human resource development. We're seeing a stagnation in the rate of students entering doctoral programs. There's a lack of diverse career paths open to PhDs.

I personally visited the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology a while back. I went to the Japan Atomic Energy Agency as well. These are institutions that conduct cutting-edge research. Even so, on my visits, I really got the sense that they have extremely outdated facilities. They're responsible for numerous missions, yet they have very limited staff and budgets, too. We're currently formulating various strategies and specific initiatives, working with related ministries and agencies. We intend to keep pressing on innovation policies for science and technology. At the same time, we need to stay aware of the actual situation and issues on the ground.

It's also important to promote inter-university cooperation and participation in international research networks at home and abroad to strengthen Japan's research capabilities. Then, there's the Universities of International Research Excellence program. I have every expectation that this will help realize an attractive research environment. This will draw in young researchers from Japan and abroad, to lead global academic research networks. It's also important to encourage participation in international networks on a researcher-by-researcher basis. We have various efforts underway to set up an international joint research system, and to promote international brain circulation.

— What are your thoughts on managing security at universities and research institutions?

To secure and maintain Japan's technological superiority, we need to ensure an open and free research environment, and further promote international cooperation. However, universities and national research institutions are involved in national projects. They're working on important issues for Japan. So, it's essential that they thoroughly implement measures for research security and integrity. This includes security trade control.

The government has been taking the necessary steps to ensure research integrity. We're strengthening regulations through a review of the Unfair Competition Prevention Act. We're strengthening investment screening, based on the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. We're reviewing deemed exports to non-residents and clarifying the operation of export control. Also, we're strengthening screening of foreign students and foreign researchers. Added to that, we're constructing the framework for appropriate information disclosure by researchers in regard to soundness and fairness as well as for enhanced management at their institutions.

In line with the changing international situation, the G7 and other international organizations have been making efforts to promote research security and integrity. These efforts are becoming increasingly sophisticated. In Japan, a government panel of experts has recommended that we need to take measures to prevent technology leaks. These measures need to be on par with what's happening in other advanced nations.

To this end, the Cabinet Office will take the lead in taking countermeasures. We intend to work with related ministries and agencies, as well as research hubs. We want to support domestic research institutions in their efforts to conduct objective reviews by third-party organizations and outside experts, etc. In addition, we will develop standardized procedures to enable research institutions to implement these efforts effectively. By taking new measures to prevent technology leaks, we intend to rigorously ensure the security and integrity of research.

— What are your thoughts on the Seventh Science, Technology and Innovation Basic Plan?

We need to strengthen science and technology innovation for the formulation of the next Basic Plan. So, it will be important for us to consider a number of perspectives. There's the question of promoting strategic R&D and strengthening the research infrastructure. This includes human resource development. Also, effort needs to go into the formation of an innovation ecosystem and linking it with economic security. I personally believe that it's especially important for us to secure budgets and to secure and develop human resources for Japan to be a world leader.

To help achieve this, I hope to see effective public outreach. We need to communicate the importance and attractiveness of science, technology, and innovation. This is the way to generate public interest in the subject. Also, I hope that the plan will actively communicate Japan's strengths internationally and attract worldwide attention.