[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe jointly held the 24th meeting of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, and the 21st meeting in FY2016 of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, at the Prime Minister’s Office.

At the meeting, discussion was held on the vitalization of science, technology and innovation that contributes to economic growth; the advancement of national research and development assessments; and the promotion of basic research: gaining momentum from the conferment of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Japanese researchers.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

“I would like to once again express my heartfelt joy at the conferment of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Dr. Ohsumi. Following his belief in
“tackling things that other people do not do,” Dr. Ohsumi advanced his research with a spirit of welcoming challenges and through hard work. As a result, Dr. Ohsumi produced unique research results that are anticipated to also be applicable to medical care.

In regard to the promotion of basic research that we have heard about today, I now have a renewed awareness that it is extremely important for universities and other institutions to advance management reform and diversification of funds, to secure measures that are taken from a long-term perspective, and to foster an environment that encourages independence and the ambition to take on challenges among young people.

The Public-Private Investment Expansion Initiative that we received a report on today is an important measure. It aims to realize a new type of promotional expenses that will encourage ministries to implement measures in areas expected to generate high levels of private sector investment, and to improve the environment for providing donations and launching startups in order to attract private sector investment to universities and other institutions, while also seeking to contribute to greater efficiency in fiscal expenditure.  

I would like Minister Tsuruho, who is in charge of this issue, to work together with the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy and the relevant ministers, and take thorough steps to flesh out the measures of the Initiative. Thank you.”