About JST

Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals (STI for SDGs)

In order for science and technology innovation to contribute to the SDGs (STI for SDGs), various stakeholders including universities, R&D institutes, NGOs and private sectors should work with policymakers and the market to create shared value and a new social trend of responsibility. The “Task Team on STI for the SDGs” founded by JST in November 2016 has been conducting specific research and analyses on the role of STI in achieving the SDGs. The task team completed its initiation period at the end of 2017 and established the “Office of STI for SDGs” in April 2018. The office plans basic policies, cooperates with related organizations inside and outside Japan, distributes relevant information worldwide, and holds events to strengthen cooperation with stakeholders. JST will throughout its organization contribute to achieving the SDGs with a wide range of functions including think tank, R&D funding, academia-industry collaboration, next-generation human resource development, and science communication.

Sharing Japan's SDGs Practices

Based on information provided by private sectors, research institutes, universities and other NGOs, the booklet “Japan's Practices for SDGs - Creating Shared Value by STI, Business and Social Innovation” introduces 47 of JST's initiatives (as of May 2017) contributing to the SDGs' 17 goals. It was distributed at the UN STI Forum in May 2017 at a side event co-hosted by the UN delegation from Japan and the World Bank. It was also introduced to the forum's co-chair at the beginning of the meeting.

Discussion Meetings

Since 2017 JST has held the “Discussion Group on the Contribution of STI to the SDGs”, in which members can learn and exchange information about SDGs initiatives of affiliated organizations including government agencies, universities, companies and corporations.

The fourth meeting held in July 2018 had the purpose of “information exchange” and “seeking collaboration”. Along with presentations on participants’ latest activities, under the “STI for SDGs” theme there were lively discussions on opportunities for cooperation between SDGs-related groups including government, academia and business circles, NPOs and UN organizations. JST introduced the topic of “roadmap development”, one of the core STI for SDG efforts between the UN and Japanese government.

Booth at the JST Fair “STI for SDGs Explained!”

The JST Fair 2018 was held at Tokyo Big Sight on August 30-31, 2018. We exhibited with a booth titled “STI for SDGs Explained!”, presenting a panel introducing JST and government initiatives and details on how STI can contribute to achieving the SDGs. In addition, we brought together a range SDGs videos and brochures from relevant organizations and introduced them to the visitors.

Booth at AAAS 2019 Annual Meeting: “Japan's Practices for Implementing the SDGs”

The Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), was held February 14-17, 2019 in Washington, DC. At the meeting JST held a joint booth with five other prominent Japanese institutions: the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED), RIKEN, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Japan Agency for Marine Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO). Along with displays on the achievements of each organization, we used images and pamphlets to introduce specific initiatives being taken in Japan towards achieving the SDGs. The booth received a lot of visitors, from scientists to school students.