Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the first meeting of the Council for Science and Technology Policy in 2014 (117th in total) at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, discussion took place on "strengthening the control tower function of the Council for Science and Technology Policy" and "review of the Council for Science and Technology Policy's future agenda and the revision of the Comprehensive Strategy on Science, Technology and Innovation."

Based on the discussions, the Prime Minister said,

"There has once again been extremely substantial discussion today, and this meeting is the first of the year for the Council for Science and Technology Policy.
As I have said many times before, this Council for Science and Technology Policy is truly a control tower for the Cabinet's science and technology innovation policies and I hope that it continues to fully perform this function.
With regard to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, as was also noted by some council members, the opening ceremony for the Sochi Olympics was recently held. I was once again made keenly aware of the fact that the Olympic Games are also a truly great opportunity to demonstrate a country's technologies, culture, and all its character to the world. In that respect also, I want the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to be an opportunity to showcase Japan's innovations to the world. For that reason also I believe it is vital to cultivate the seeds of Japan's unique innovation. I would like you to compile initiatives for resolving the important challenges facing Japan for inclusion in the revision of the Comprehensive Strategy.
I believe that over the past year the Council for Science and Technology Policy has achieved results in strengthening its control tower function. The Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) and Innovative Research and Development Promotion Program (ImPACT), which are part of the National Emphasis Program, are important pillars of that.
We are just about to enter the execution phase, so I believe the opportunity for the Council to demonstrate its true value is right ahead of us. I would like the Council for Science and Technology Policy to lead the execution phase as well, and to drive the process forward with great momentum."