3.4 Promoting International Science and Technology Activity 3.4 Promoting International Science recycling-oriented society (through the promotion and Technology Activity of Reduce waste, Reuse and Recycle resources). The Initiative has gained support from other coun- 3.4.1 Developing Leading Activities tries. Regarding climate control, the Prime Minister also stressed the importance of the early entry into for International Cooperation force of the Kyoto Protocol. In particular, the Earth Observation Summit, wh- Science and technology creates intellectual assets ich was first held on the occasion of the Evian that should be the common property of all mankind, Summit in June 2003, held its second meeting in and also contributes to the resolution of various April 2004 and its third meeting in February 2005, global issues such as those related to the enviro- adopting a 10-year implementation plan starting in nment, energy, and resources. Science and tech- 2006. nology also contributes to the promotion of industry and economy. To develop international science and (The United Nations (UN)) technology activities positively in these areas is At the United Nations, various activities, inclu- important for fulfilling Japan's role in international ding intellectual forums for education, science and society and for more fully developing science and culture, creation of international norms, and develo- technology in Japan. Based on the close scientific pment cooperation, are being implemented through capabilities between Japan and Western countries, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cul- scientific and technological cooperation between tural Organization (UNESCO). Japan and the West continues to advance effectively UNESCO has designated “water and associated through burden sharing and complementary work. ecosystems” as the principal priority in the natural At the same time, scientific and technological science field and is dealing with the water problem cooperation with developing countries not only leads throughout the world through the International Hy- to the transfer of technologies that serve as infrastr- drological Programme (IHP). Through this prog- ucture for independent and sustained development ramme, preparations are now under way to establish and strengthening of human resources in those cou- the “International Center for Water Hazard and Risk ntries, but is also important to the resolution of glo- Management” (ICHARM) in Japan as a hub for bal problems. Therefore, Japan is not only coope- research, capacity-building and information network rating through multilateral frameworks, such as the activities on water-related disasters and risk manage- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), but ment. At the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Com- also promoting bilateral cooperation according to mission (IOC), oceanographic scientific surveys the conditions, needs, and potential of each country. and research activities, such as oceanographic observation concerning global climate change and 3.4.4.1 Development of Frameworks establishment of tsunami-warning systems, and for Multilateral Cooperation regional cooperation projects are being impleme- nted. Japan is cooperating in oceanographic surveys (Summit Meeting of Major Nations and education and training mainly in the western (G8 Summit)) Pacific. First discussed at the 8th Versailles Summit at the In the areas of human and social sciences, proposal of French President Mitterrand, science UNESCO elaborates the draft “Universal Declar- ation on Bioethics and Human Rights” to be and technology has subsequently been discussed rd frequently in summit meetings. adopted at the 33 session of its General Confere- At the 30th G8 Summit at Sea Island held in June nce in 2005. 2004, members adopted the “Science and Techno- logy for Sustainable Development – A G8 Action (The Organisation for Economic Plan.” At the summit, Prime Minister Koizumi Co-operation and Development stressed the importance of environment issues, such (OECD)) as forest protection and new energy resources and The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and proposed the “3R” Initiative aimed at creating a Development (OECD) works through its Comm- 344 3.4.1 Developing Leading Activities for International Cooperation ittee for Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP), October 2004. Japan has been actively participating Committee for Information, Computer and Commu- in SFRI as a lead country of one of the three sub- nication Policy (ICCP), Committee on Industryand groups. Business Environment (CIBE), Committee for Agriculture (AGR), Environment Policy Committee (3) Working Party on Innovation and (EPOC), the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the Technology Policy (TIP) International Energy Agency (IEA), and others to TIP is aimed to discuss the promotion of pro- engage in activities related to science and techno- ductivity, the creation and application of knowledge, logy, including the exchange of opinions, experien- the sustainable development and the creation of a ces, information and personnel between member skilled work force. countries, preparation of statistical information, and TIP has discussed and evaluated technology poli- implementation of joint research. cies, focusing in particular on the National Innova- The CSTP established of the following five tion System (NIS). subgroups, which implement specific activities in For two years from 2005 to 2006, TIP held their respective fields. discussions on such topics as the evaluation of inn- ovation policies, globalization of R&D and inno- (1) Global Science Forum (GSF) vation, diffusion of IPR, innovation and knowledge, The forum was established in June 1999, in order and the NIS of China. to take over the activities of the Mega Science For- um, and to serve as a forum for science and tech- (4) Working Party on Biotechnology nology policymakers to exchange opinions about (WPB) important issues within the science and technology WPB is to support the promotion of safe and sector that require international cooperation and effective utilization of biotechnology. concerted action. The forum is also intended to Continued discussions were held on the establi- issue proposals that contribute to design of science shment of a “Global Biological Resource Center and technology policies.At the GSF meeting held in Network (GBRCN)”. It was reported that a task July 2004, an expert WG was established to hold a force bureau for the establishment of GBRCN was conference on declining student enrolments in set up at a meeting held in Paris in December 2004. science and technology. Japan is an active member in the WG. At the GSF meeting in February 2005, lively discussions were held under the strong initi- (5) Working Party of National Experts ative of Japan with two new activities – “WS on on Science and Technology Science and Technology for a Safer Society” and Indicators (NESTI20) “A Project on interdisciplinary issues” – approved. At a NESTI meeting held in June 2004, partici- pants discussed revising the Oslo Manual, an (2) Ad Hoc Working Group on international standard in the collection and interpr- Steering and Funding of Research etation of data on innovation activities, as well as Institutions (SFRI) improving new indicators about the Human Resou- rces for Science and Technology (HRST) and the Following a ministerial meeting of CSTP in globalization of R&D, etc. January 2004, the first meeting of SFRI was held in 20 The Working Party will monitor, oversee and advise on statistical work undertaken for the Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP) taking into account the priorities established by the Committee. 345 3.4 Promoting International Science and Technology Activity 3.4.1.2 Cooperation with Nations in Based on recommendations from the ASEAN the Asia-Pacific Region Committee on Science and Technology (COST), the third ASEAN / COST+3 meeting convened in (Cooperation under the Asia Pacific Pattaya (Thailand) in September 2004 with Japan, Economic Cooperation (APEC) China, South Korea, and other ASEAN countries. Forum) The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) (Cooperation with Various Countries) forum was established in 1989 as a forum for eco- In relations with China, in addition to cooperation nomic cooperation, with the aim of achieving sus- based on a science and technology cooperation agr- 21 tainable economic growth in the Asia Pacific region. eement , the Japan-China seminar was jointly held in June 2004 with the Chinese Academy of Sci- APEC promotes open regional cooperation, and ences, and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, carries out cooperative activities in areas such as Sports, Science and Technology and China’s Mini- industrial science and technology, human resources stry of Science and Technology held the third development, and energy, with the aim of promoting inter-government talks in November 2004 to pro- the liberalization and smooth implementation of trade mote exchanges of science and technology admini- and investment and economic and technological strative officials between the two countries. cooperation.In particular, the Industrial Science and In trilateral relations among Japan, China, and Technology Working Group promote the dissemi- Korea, as a result of an agreement at the Second nation of science and technology information, the Japan-China-Korea Directors-General Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation held in Tokyo mutual use of research facilities, and a variety of in March 2004, a ministerial-level meeting