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Giving of Letters of Appointment to the New Members of the Council for Science and Technology Policy and the Meeting of the Council for Science and Technology Policy

Friday, March 1, 2013

Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving an explanation on Robot Suit HAL

Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving an explanation on Robot Suit HAL

  • Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving an explanation on Robot Suit HAL
  • Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the meeting of the Council for Science and Technology Policy

Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the meeting of the Council for Science and Technology Policy

Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the meeting of the Council for Science and Technology Policy

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered letters of appointment to the new members of the Council for Science and Technology Policy, and held the first meeting of the Council for Science and Technology Policy in 2013, at the Prime Minister's Office.

At this meeting, discussion took place on how the Council for Science and Technology Policy should be carried forward from now on, and there was an explanation on a case that is conducive to the growth strategy (Robot Suit HAL).

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said in his address,

"Yesterday, I delivered a policy speech, and in the speech I mentioned that we will once again aim to become 'the No.1 in the world' In order to aim to be the No.1 in the world, innovation will be important above all. I would like to clearly state that the Abe administration will, as its new policy, focus on innovation.
In that context, we are placing a heavy emphasis on the Council for Science and Technology Policy. Essentially, similar to the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy, the Council for Science and Technology Policy is one of the two most important councils.
As you are aware, the First Abe Cabinet had also prioritized innovation, set out the policy to have the Japanese economy grow strongly through an open attitude, and formulated 'Innovation 25' in this Council. Unfortunately, under the government led by the Democratic Party of Japan, this Council had not been held vigorously. I believe that it is necessary to send out a message that innovation is critically important, in order to promote innovation and to encourage the people engaged in such innovation, in the area of science and technology, and also in the field of politics.
From now on, we would like to thoroughly examine why innovation in Japan has stagnated, and what was able to be accomplished and what was lacking in 'Innovation 25,' and create the 'country that is best suited for innovation in the world.' The control tower for such effort is precisely the Council for Science and Technology Policy, and I will also put my utmost effort into creating a reborn, new Council for Science and Technology Policy. I am willing to work hard together with you.
As I have just heard in some talks, input of nationwide support in innovation will also lead to creating new wealth. I consider that it should also be important to win the understanding of the people about this, and to maintain communication with the people on this issue.
In this Council, we would like to intensively discuss the following three points, which have been proposed by expert members, by the middle of this year, and compile results.
First is the formulation of the 'Comprehensive Strategy on Science and Technology Innovation,' which includes the long-term vision showing the overall picture of the science and technology innovation policies, and short-term action programs.
Second is the consideration of policies to be included in the growth strategy, from the perspective of science and technology innovation, in collaboration with the Headquarters for Japan's Economic Revitalization.
Third is the consideration of measures to fundamentally reinforce the function of the Council for Science and Technology Policy as a control tower, so that it becomes able to exert a strong driving power at an unprecedented level in terms of both authority and budget.
Shortly before, I observed Robot Suit HAL, created by Professor Sankai, close-up, and felt that the power of 'Made in Japan' and innovation will not only create wealth, but will also allow people to restore their health and affluent lives.
Also in such context, I expect this Council to become something that is felt as to make changes to the science and technology policies of Japan, and to the innovation of Japan, starting with this first meeting."

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