As digital transformation (DX) in research and development advances worldwide, the equipment, computers, software, and data tools used for research are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex. The timely introduction and utilization of these advanced research tools significantly impact the speed and production of results in advanced research fields. These advanced research tools and infrastructures are crucial drivers for scientific and technological innovation. The evolving global social challenges and the rapid progress of science and technology demand more diverse and advanced performance from these tools.

Our awareness of this issue stems from the following points. While Japan is dedicated to enhancing its research capabilities, it is facing challenges in producing many of the necessary research instruments to meet the demands of cutting-edge research that will lead the way in the future. Additionally, research institutes and universities are compelled to depend on imports for a significant portion of the equipment, associated software, as well as replacement parts and consumables.

In 2021, the JST-CRDS released a report on research equipment and devices, which are crucial for advancing science, technology, and innovation. Three years have passed since its publication, and significant changes have occurred in both domestic and international environments. The report needs to be updated in several respects, especially with regard to "market trends in advanced research equipment and instruments" and "policy trends in foreign countries on the development and maintenance of research equipment and the promotion of equipment sharing".

Regarding imported equipment, the more advanced it is, the more likely there will be a delay of several years in its introduction to research sites. Additionally, procurement costs are escalating due to a combination of inflation in the producing countries and the impact of the weakened yen. Although it is challenging to generalize, the prices of major research equipment have generally increased by a factor of 1.5 to 2 over the past decade. Simply slightly increasing public investment in research and development is insufficient to address these circumstances. Japan's research environment presents various challenges in terms of developing a well-established research base and research infrastructure.

The utilization of technologies and equipment developed by researchers themselves often plays a pivotal role in generating original research and development results. However, the environment and mechanisms for developing such new technologies and equipment are declining in Japan, making the development of increasingly sophisticated and complex advanced research equipment increasingly challenging. For the promotion of science, technology, and innovation, it is imperative that Japan continues to create new instruments that pioneer original research and development.

Such innovative equipment contributes to the long-term interaction between technological development guided by emerging research needs worldwide, the creation of research results through the use of equipment equipped with new technology, and the resolution of social issues realized through those research results. The key to this is the construction of an innovation ecosystem in which long-term mutual feedback loops spiral up.

We hope that this report will stimulate discussion among a wide range of stakeholders in industry, academia, government, and society, and provide an opportunity for the instruments and research platforms that are pioneering advanced research in Japan to grow into a new R&D ecosystem.