[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 19th meeting of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation at the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, discussion was held on the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategy on Science, Technology and Innovation 2016, and research using genome editing technology for human fertilization and embryos, followed by an explanation on the theme of “Recent Trends in Science and Technology - Issues Surrounding Science and Technology Innovation: Thoughts Developed through Research on Neutrinos” by University of Tokyo Professor Takaaki Kajita, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics .

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

“I want to again express my sincere pleasure at the conferment of the Nobel Prize in Physics to Professor Kajita. Congratulations.

Your achievements have greatly advanced particle research and brought us one step closer to solving the mysteries of the universe. It can be said that this award resulted from a relay of researchers that include Professor Koshiba, who won the 2002 Nobel Prize in Physics, and Professor Totsuka, who worked so hard to construct the Super-Kamiokande measurement facility.

We will continue to advance support for basic research, and work to foster the human resources who can follow in Professor Kajita’s footsteps and leap ahead of the world in their research.

Today, we have compiled the ‘Comprehensive Strategy on Science, Technology and Innovation 2016.’ We will see that the content of this strategy is reflected in the Basic Policies and the Japan Revitalization Strategy, secure the needed budget toward the realization of the investment goals discussed in the basic plan, and strongly promote science and technology innovation policy.

Regarding initiatives to utilize artificial intelligence, which will be the key to the realization of Society 5.0, relevant councils, including this Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, will continue to work in a unified manner on this through industry-academia-government cooperation.”