Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held the 105th meeting of the Council for Science and Technology Policy at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, a presentation by Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, Professor of Kyoto University, was held under the theme of "Issues Surrounding Science and Technology Innovation," followed by exchange of opinions.

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

"I believe that the issues we have received explanations on today are not limited to particular issues such as the realization of regenerative medicine or the development of new therapeutic agents utilizing iPS cells. We must also consider them as universal issues for promoting science and technology innovation. It is my understanding that overcoming such issues will lead to providing an environment for giving birth to the "second and third Professor Yamanaka" in our country.
Based on such understanding, I would like to give instructions on three measures which I would like the government to unite its efforts for the promotion of.
First, in order to realize regenerative medicine utilizing iPS cells, relevant legislation should be developed such as the revision of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act in the next ordinary Diet session, and at the same time the development of criteria in terms of safety regulation and consideration on ethical aspects should be accelerated.
Second, it is necessary to carry forward drastic reform of the research environment in universities that serves a core role in the researches carried out in Japan, and to promote securing necessary human resources for research assistance.
Third, in order to develop and find young researchers with unique ideas and skills, the system of research expenditure should be reformed, such as the employment of a new adaptation system.
We would like to strongly promote science and technology innovation, an important pillar of the national strategy, and further support study on iPS cells through measures as explained. I would like to exercise our wisdom together so that new innovations that follow iPS cells will be generated in a broad range of fields."