Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the third meeting of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation at the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, discussion was held on the Policy for the Allocation of Budgets and other Resources related to Science and Technology in  FY2015, Indicators for the Evaluation of the Administration and Operation of National Research and Development Entities , Evaluation for the R&D projects of National Importance , and Recent Science and Technology Trends: Energy Carrier Research under the Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) .

Based on the discussion in the meeting, the Prime Minister said,

“Five Program Directors from the SIP Program have gathered here today, all of whom are standing on the front lines of innovation and acting as commanders in the field. The Government will also do its part to provide maximum support. I strongly hope that your efforts will produce excellent results.
The key to realizing a growth strategy that is driven by innovation is maximizing research outcomes. However, until now, national research and development entities have been evaluated in exactly the same manner as other independent administrative agencies, under the same uniform criteria. Now, for the first time, we have formulated a new set of indicators for evaluating national research and development entities. These differ from the evaluation criteria for standard independent administrative agencies, and instead emphasize maximizing research outcomes. I believe this is a truly groundbreaking development. I would like to ask the relevant Cabinet members to swiftly establish a system for national research and development entities based on the indicators that were approved today.
Regarding the science and technology-related budgets for the next fiscal year, in accordance with the Comprehensive Strategy on Science, Technology and Innovation 2014 that was approved by Cabinet decision last month, this Council must act as a control tower, and the Government as a whole must establish priorities for budget allocation and maximize project outcomes.
I ask that each ministry adhere to the policy decided today when allocating your budgets.”