Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� January, 2003

Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the Council for Science and Technology Policy Tuesday, January 28, 2003 The twenty-fourth meeting of the Council for Science and Technology Policy was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, under the policy of allocating science and technology-related budgets and human and other resources according to prioritization, "FY2003 Science and Technology-related Measures," outlining how to proceed with the major measures for next fiscal year, was decided. In addition, decisions were made on other papers including "The Competitive Research Fund System Evaluation to be Undertaken by the Council for Science and Technology Policy" and "Basic Principles for Allocation of the Coordination Fund for the Promotion of Science and Technology in FY2003." In addition, as a recent trend in science and technology, a report was given on the present state and future of Japanese robot technology and a discussion was held, during which the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology unveiled the seal-like robot it has developed for use in therapy (treatment to ease tension). This robot was recognized as the world's most therapeutic robot in February last year.