[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 11th meeting of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation at the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, discussion was held on the “Measures to assign priorities in the Comprehensive Strategy on Science, Technology and Innovation 2015” and “National Priority Research and Development Assessments.” There was also a briefing and report on the “Impulsing Paradigm Change through Disruptive Technologies Program (ImPACT) .”

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

“Today, we discussed budget requests for the coming fiscal year related to science, technology and innovation in a manner that went beyond the borders of ministries and agencies, and we have approved priority measures. Many measures were selected related to such matters as the Internet of Things (IoT), which will drive dramatic increases in productivity, as well as artificial intelligence and robotics.

Collaborations that extend across different sectors will be essential as we move forward with such development.

I want the relevant ministries and agencies to work thoroughly toward the formulation of the budget based on today’s discussion.

The ‘Tough Polymer’ that we just saw is something I have never seen nor touched before. It was thin, light, and flexible. I believe that this material would improve safety dramatically if it were used in automobile bodies.

Japan is five years away from hosting the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. I request that everyone work to thoroughly compile the Fifth Science and Technology Basic Plan  so that by the time of the Games we can proudly demonstrate to everyone in the world and Japan the innovation that our country is driving.”