Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� June, 2002

Nineteenth Meeting of the Council for Science and Technology Policy Wednesday, June 19, 2002 The nineteenth meeting of the Council for Science and Technology Policy was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. During the meeting, the members of the Council decided upon the "policy for resource distribution for budget and human resources for science and technology in FY2003." Under the policy, the Government aims to create a nation built on the platform of scientific and technological creativity at the highest global standards through measures such as (1) placing a strong emphasis on science and technology, (2) promoting research and development projects to revitalize the economy, and (3) efforts to reform science and technology systems. Furthermore, a decision was made on the "Basic Policy on the Approach to the Future Use and Development of Space." In the Basic Policy, the Government sets the goal that Japan will maintain the capability to independently launch artificial satellites and a transportation system if the necessity arises. Based on this, the report includes specific proposals such as concentrated development of space and strategic expansion of the use of space, as well as the promotion of industrial applications of the use and development of space and proactive transfer of related technologies to the private sector.