Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held the 101st meeting of the Council for Science and Technology Policy at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, a decision was made to conduct pre-evaluation for four projects of national importance for which expenditure from the national treasury exceeds 30 billion yen, among the R&D projects that are scheduled to start from FY2012. Moreover, a policy for formulating science and technology-related budgets for FY2012 was decided and proposals were made to the Prime Minister and relevant ministers. The Prime Minister also received reports on the status of consideration by an experts study group for promoting policies for science and technology innovation, and exchanged views with the Council members.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said, "Hearing about iPS cells and other innovations, I was greatly encouraged as they are examples of Japanese R&D that can open up new frontiers.
I believe that it is extremely important to produce these outcomes one after another and open up new frontiers in a variety of fields in order for us to overcome numerous problems facing Japan and revitalize Japan.
I also received a report about the status of consideration by the experts study group on the reorganization of this Council. In line with the final report to be compiled shortly, I would like to build a structure fit for pushing innovation forward.
True revitalization of Japan means restoring Japan as a nation that inspires hope and pride among the people, a nation that the people feel glad to have been born in. For this, it is essential that we open up new frontiers in a variety of fields, and I intend to push forward science and technology innovation with even greater force."