JST's 20Th Anniversary Commemorative Publication
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JST’s 20th Anniversary Commemorative Publication Supporting Science and Technology in Japan Greetings from the President to commemorate JST’s 20 th anniversary Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) celebrated its 20th anniversary in October 2016. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all those involved in guiding and supporting us since our establishment, especially government organizations including the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), the industry, the academia, and research institutions. I am also grateful to my predecessors, officers, and staff members who have undertaken tremendous efforts for the progress of JST. Japan Science and Technology Corporation (the former JST) was established by merging two existing organizations, Japan Information Center of Science and Technology (JICST) and Research Development Corporation of Japan (JRDC), in October 1996. The objective of this merger was to proactively implement initiatives set out in the “Science and Technology Basic Law” while strengthening the infrastructure for the promotion of science and technology in a comprehensive and effective way. After its establishment, it was reorganized as an independent administrative institution, the current JST, in October 2003 and later as a national research and development agency in April 2015. JST has made considerable achievements since its establishment and is now recognized globally, currently ranking third in Reuter’s “Top 25 Global Innovators – Government.” However, due to the rapidly changing environment in both Japan and abroad, we recognize that JST may face various challenges in the future. To overcome these potential difficulties, scientific and technical innovation is, undoubtedly very important, and urgent action is imperative. JST is committed to lead the “co-creation of innovation for the future” as a network-based research institution conducting top-level R&D in the world. JST has a role in leading the advancement of science and technology in Japan as the navigator of innovation, and as a premier organization of the world, it bears the responsibility of promoting and driving innovation that may benefit all humankind. JST aims to meet these responsibilities by predicting the future based on available evidences and properly grasping the trends in global science and technology. We compiled the “HAMAGUCHI Plan” in April 2016, through which we plan to strengthen collaborations with foreign and domestic universities, research institutions, and industries. We are committed to carry out these reforms for new breakthroughs that will contribute to the sustainable improvement of people’s lives. We will also strive to keep our organization flexible and effective, contribute to society actively on a wider range of fields by closely cooperating with diverse organizations in society, and meet people’s needs using the strength of our organization accumulated over many years of experience. We hope that this commemorative issue will help strengthen our ties with all relevant organizations and be useful in highlighting the efforts that JST has made in promoting science and technology. Furthermore, it is our hope that this issue will serve as a useful guide for the next generation of people including those related with JST, our officers, and staff members. I would also like to express my sincerest gratitude once again to all those involved, including MEXT, the Cabinet Office, related academic circles, and other organizations for making the publishing of this commemorative issue possible. Marking its 20th anniversary, JST promises to continuously make efforts to live up to both domestic and international expectations with renewed determination and utmost sincerity. We appreciate your further support and cooperation. Thank you. October 2016 Michinari Hamaguchi President Japan Science and Technology Agency 2 3 Congratulations It is my great pleasure to congratulate the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of its establishment. Over the past 20 years, science and technology have played vital roles in Japan as key drivers of economic and social development. However, the economic and social structures prevalent in Japan and around the world are rapidly and drastically changing. New technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things), Big Data, and AI (Artificial Intelligence) are not only enriching our lives, but are also radically changing our economic practices and lifestyles, both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, many nations around the world are already implementing aggressive approaches in both the public and private sectors to generate innovations that may change the entire concept of manufacturing. As a result of this rapidly changing environment, the roles of science and technology, as common intellectual assets that can be used to build bases for social development and to create a prosperous future for the next generation, are becoming more important than ever before. JST was originally established in 1996 as the Japan Science and Technology Corporation. In conjunction with the Science and Technology Basic Law, which was enacted in 1995, and the Science and Technology Basic Plan, JST has made significant contributions to innovation in science and technology in Japan over the past 20 years. The agency’s various accomplishments in R&D include many notable scientific and technical innovations, such as the development of LED illumination for practical use, which was achieved through the invention of blue light- emitting diodes, and the introduction of applicable regenerative medicine, made possible by the generation of human iPS (induced Pluripotent Stem) cells. These innovations have greatly enhanced industrial competitiveness and have concurrently contributed to solving social issues. JST has comprehensively engaged in not only R&D promotion, but also strategic planning and the fostering of the next generation of human resources in science and technology. I wish to express my deepest respect to the officers and staff members of JST and to all relevant parties who have supported the development of scientific and technical innovation in Japan. With the 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan, which was approved by the Cabinet in January 2016, our goal is to become a world pioneer in realizing a “Super Smart Society.” As the leading organization implementing this basic plan, we have high expectations that JST, by marshaling domestic and international resources, implementing independent and strategic R&D, and developing human resources who can contribute to innovation, can create scientific and technical innovations that will become a source of national strength. MEXT will work to actively deploy and implement scientific and technical innovation policies in coordination with related ministries and will also assist in the creation of new values for society through industry-academia- government cooperation. On this occasion, I believe it is extremely meaningful to celebrate the advancements JST has made over the past 20 years and also to consider its current role and methods through which it can pursue further development in the future. I am certain that the officers and staff members will continue to devote themselves to the further advancement of JST, and I would greatly appreciate all parties concerned continuing to provide their support for JST. Hirokazu Matsuno Minister Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) 4 Congratulations I wish to express my sincere congratulations on the 20th anniversary of foundation of Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). The year 1996 was a landmark year that started the establishment of Japan Science and Technology Corporation, the former JST, and the initiation of the 1st Science and Technology Basic Plan. The plan was initiated based on the Science and Technology Basic Law that provides the foundation for science and technology policy with the aim of making Japan a nation oriented towards advanced science and technology. Science and technology in Japan have made steady and significant progress since 1996. During this time, JST contributed significantly to the promotion of science and technology and to the creation of innovations through a wide variety of operations, including promoting world-leading research and development programs, constructing industry-academia networks, and enhancing the public understanding of science and technology. Since 2014, JST has also played a major role in managing such programs as the “Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program” (SIP) and “Impulsing Paradigm Change through Disruptive Technologies Program” (ImPACT). SIP aims to realize scientific and technological innovation based on the policy of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, and ImPACT promotes high-risk, high-impact, and challenging research and development. The Japanese government formulated the th5 Science and Technology Basic Plan in January 2016 with the following four main pillars: 1) “acting to create new value for the development of future industry and social transformation,” 2) “addressing economic and social challenges,” 3) “reinforcing the fundamentals for STI (science, technology and innovation),” 4) “establishing a systemic virtuous cycle of human resources, knowledge, and capital, for innovation.” In order to make Japan “the world’s most innovation-friendly nation,” we need to strive to further promote the creation of scientific and