JST Basic Research Programs

The Basic Research Programs at JST focus on fundamental research areas that help developing technological breakthroughs, which in turn lead to the advance of S&T and creation of new industries. The programs also encourage researches that trigger, through innovations, reformation of social and economic structures.

To begin with, JST defines the scope of each research area in accordance with the nation's prioritized Strategic Objects formulated by MEXT. Then, research themes for each area are openly called for, screened and finalized after interview with applicants. The research on an adopted theme is conducted by the researcher who presented the theme. For some research areas, Research Supervisors designated by JST form their own teams and carry out studies under the direction and management of the Supervisors.

In either case, research performance is evaluated and output is published with a view to returning the fruits of research to tax payers.

About JST Basic Research Programs

The Basic Research Programs are JST's major undertaking to promote fundamental research in top-down method towards the accomplishment of the nation's Strategic Objects.
The programs aim to produce technological seeds that contribute to reformation of industries and society. Front-line researchers at universities, public and private institutes join the programs by forming temporary cross-institute research consortium as required.

Although the history of the Basic Research Programs is not long, we already saw more than a couple of successful commercialization of the research output such as amorphous metals and red light emitting diode (LED). In 2007 the research on Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cell by Prof. Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University attracted a heap of attention worldwide. His research has been conducted under the support of JST's CREST funding program.