Science of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (FY2011- )

Full information

Program Supervisor

YAMAGATA Zentaro

Deputy Director / Think Tank for Maternal and Child Health, National Center for Child Health and Development
Project Professor, The Center for Birth Cohort Studies(CBCS), University of Yamanashi

Today Japan is experiencing a population decline as well as the aging of its society with the decrease in the birthrate. Moreover, fiscal conditions are tight. In this context, Japan will be able to continue to achieve steady development in the future only if it pursues innovation through the advancement of science and technology. However, in recent years?and especially since the Great East Japan Earthquake?science and technology as well as its researchers have been viewed harshly. Critics say that, despite the vast amount of funds invested in R&D, the outcomes are not helping to resolve the challenges that society faces.

Indeed, in science, technology and innovation (STI) policy to date, problems have been encountered not infrequently. Sometimes R&D investment has been made without adequate objective evidence. Other times, although great insights have been gained through basic research, the research outcomes have not been applied in an effective fashion so that they lead to innovations or the creation of systems to resolve challenges and advance society. Yet other times, outstanding policy ideas have been conceived, but they have not been implemented due to insufficient communication with the public. The root cause of this was the absence of clear, evidence-based methods to create STI policy.

To remedy this situation, our program aims to develop methods to formulate the following kinds of policies;

Policies that will lead to the resolution of real challenges by advancing the basic research and applying the research outcomes to the challenges and
Policies that will promote the innovation of society by drawing on basic research.

In this endeavor, it will be critical

To design a multistage process from basic research, to social application of outcomes, to evaluation of that application;
To develop methods for measuring the economic and social impact of R&D investment;
To build an effective research framework to form policies based on objective evidence; and
To ensure proper communication among policy makers, the scientific community and the public in order to promote the application of research findings in society.

This program is diverse in content and is expected to produce more concrete proposals. We look forward to seeing outstanding proposals with flexible thinking that deserves " Science of STI policy".

Objective of the Program

To contribute over the medium to long term to evidence-based policy formation in the area of STI through the following approaches;

Promoting R&D projects on new analytic methodologies, models, data-systematization tools and aggregate indicators that can be used in actual policy,
Increasing the number of researchers who work on this challenge in a wide range of disciplines and interdisciplinary fields, and expanding the community network through public relations and dialogue on the activities.

Targeted R&D Projects

This program targets R&D on methodologies and indicators in the four categories below (including projects that address them in a multidisciplinary or comprehensive way)
Outcomes of R&D projects will be sought that can be used in forming actual policies of the national and local governments or in making policy proposals of various actors.

Designing and implementing of a strategic framework for forming overall STI policy;
Measuring the social and economic impact of R&D investment and making it visible to the public
Assessing and designing optimal system (organization, framework, etc) for promoting STI policy, and the impact of the system on the STI process; and
Designing and implementing dialogue to promote the participation of members of society in STI policy formulation

R&D Projects

Projects Phase 3

FY2022

The Potential of "Cross Boarder Talents" for Maximizing the Use of Scientific Evidence in the Policy Making Process: Analysis from the Case in the field of Child and Maternal Health and Child Development SENSAKI Sonoko (Deputy Director,Think Tank for Children and Families / Principle Reseracher, Department of Medical Technology Implementation and Social Impact / Peadiatrician, Department of Psychosocial Medicine Consultant)	2022.10-2026.3
Rationalization and optimization of behavioral change and science communication for public health and social measures against emerging infectious diseases NISHIURA Hiroshi (Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University)	2022.10-2026.3
Deliberative Approach to Public Acceptance of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Policy: The Role of Emotion and Technology in the Formation of Policy Attitude HAYASHI Reona (Professor, Faculty of Political Science, Hosei University)	2022.10-2026.3
Exploration of Factors Promoting Sports Participation and Evaluation of Support Policies - Multilayered Approach at the National, Municipal, and Individual Levels KONDO Katsunori (Specially Appointed Professor, Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University)	2022.10-2026.3

FY2021

Development of Digital Twin city system and its application to the policy making under risk management environment SASAKI Kuniaki (Professor, School of Creative Science and Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Waseda University)	2021.10-2025.3
Policy Proposal for Environmental Circulation and Social Symbiosis through the Use of Woody Thermal Energy and Community Currency TOYOTA Tomoyo (Associate Professor, Faculty of Regional Policy Studies, The University of Shimane)	2021.10-2025.3
An Integrated Analysis on Infection Control and Economic Activity NAKATA Taisuke (Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Tokyo)	2021.10-2025.3
The effect of the quality of preschool education on children's cognitive- and noncognitive skills NAKAMURO Makiko (Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University)	2021.10-2025.3
Development and Deployment of a Value Chain Assessment Tools for the Commercialization of University Technologies SAKAI Takayuki (Professor, Value School, Kobe University)	2021.10-2025.3
Establishment of the Guidelines for the Common Understanding of Research Integrity in Life Science TANAKA Satoshi (Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Division of Pathological Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University)	2021.10-2025.3
Clarification of research integrity norms in diverse research disciplines NAKAMURA Masaki (Professor, Center for Education in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Osaka University)	2021.10-2025.3

Projects Phase 2

^*Affiliations and positions are those that applied at the completion of the project.

FY2020

Good Governance Practice for Research Integrity Policies through Electric Laboratory Notebook Implementation Guidelines IIMURO Satoshi (Vice Director & Professor, Innovation and Research Support Center, International University of Health and Welfare)	2020.10-2024.3
Study on the past failure of healthcare IT policies in Japan and the foundation of policy guidelines toward 2020s OKUMURA Takashi (Professor, School of Regional Innovation and Social Design Engineering, Kitami Institute of Technology)	2020.10-2024.3
Development and Implementation of Consensus Building Method for Policies on Balanced Conservation, Agriculture and Forestry KOHSAKA Ryo (Professor, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo)	2020.10-2024.3
Feasibility Assessment and Contribution to the Policy Making of Participatory Systems by Visualizing Ecosystem Services NODA Keigo (Associate Professor , Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo)	2020.10-2024.3
Development of Online consensus building methodology and implementation in policy process with encouraging a sense of ownership over climate change by Civic Tech BABA Kenshi (Professor, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Tokyo City University)	2020.10-2024.3

FY2019

Research on scientific evidence based policy making process for infrastructure management KAITO Kiyoyuki (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Global Architecture, Osaka University)	2019.10-2023.3
Co-procurement of clinical knowledge in support of developmental disabilities based on citizen science and personal data KUMA Hitomi (Co-founder, Human Resource Development Division, NPO ADDS) *The project name has changed in April 2022. Previous title : "Systematization of clinical knowledge for developmental disability support based on open science type research"	2019.10-2023.3
Forecasting of Social Impact by 'Atsumi' Analysis of Research Capability and Development of Policy Assessment Methods KOIZUMI Amane (Project Professor, Center for Novel Science Initiatives (CNSI), National Institutes of Natural Sciences)	2019.10-2023.3
An Evaluation of Social Acceptance and Value Creation for Science, Technology, and Innovation TAKASHIMA Ryuta (Professor, Department of Industrial Administration, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science)	2019.10-2023.3
Developing data ethics standards for responsible innovation YOKONO Megumu (Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, WASEDA University)	2019.10-2023.3

FY2018

Research on Constructing Open Data for Policies to Reduce Child Poverty ABE Aya (Professor, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University)	2018.10-2022.3
Healthcare Innovation driven by Effective Hospital-bed Reductions and Urban Planning ITO Yukiko (Professor, College of Policy Studies, Tsuda University)	2018.10-2022.3
The construction of a commons utilizing ICT to generate evidence for medical policy KATO Kazuto (Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University)	2018.10-2022.3
Biology-informed, family-friendly policies against declining birth rate in Japan KURODA Kumi (Principal Investigator, Laboratory for Affiliative Social Behavior, RIKEN Center for Brain Science)	2018.10-2022.3

FY2017

System design to introduce energy-saving equipment for reinforcement of resilience UEMICHI Akane (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, WASEDA University )	2017.10-2022.3
A Metasystem Approach to Regulatory Rule Making on Advanced Medicine KANO Shingo (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo)	2017.10-2021.9
Star Scientists and Innovation in Japan MAKI Kanetaka (Professor, Waseda Business School)	2017.10-2021.3
An analysis of the factors that influence women and girls to pursue physics and mathematics YOKOYAMA Hiromi M (Professor, Kavli IPMU, The University of Tokyo)	2017.10-2021.3

FY2016

Research on description and interpretation of evidence in policy process KAJIKAWA Yuya (Professor, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology)	2016.12-2020.3
Proactionary approach for ELSI in emerging biomedical research MINARI Jusaku (Project Associate Professor, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University)	2016.12-2020.3
Assessing Regenerative Medicine in Japan: an interdisciplinary approach YASHIRO Yoshimi (Professor, Kanagawa University of Human Services)	2016.12-2020.3

Projects Phase 1

^*Affiliations and positions are those that applied at the completion of the project.

FY2014

Frame I

Development of Benchmarks of the Quality of Prior Art Search in International Patent Prosecution Processes WADA Tetsuo (Professor, Faculty of Economics, Gakushuin University)	2014.10-2017.9

Frame II

Establishment of Methodology and Database for Life Cycle-Based Environmental Assessment and Installation to the Society for the Promotion of Green Procurement ITSUBO Norihiro (Professor, Faculty of Environmental Management, Tokyo City University)	2014.10-2017.9
Innovation in Evidence-Informed Policy Making: Through Visualizing and Re-designing Social Systems for Countermeasures against Regional Disparity in Healthcare Quality IMANAKA Yuichi (Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University)	2014.10-2017.9
Realizing Policymaking Process of Infectious Disease Control using Mathematical Modeling Techniques NISHIURA Hiroshi (Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University)	2014.10-2017.9
Development of the Evidence-Base for Advanced Risk Management of Living Spaces MIKAMI Yoshiki (Professor/Director, Research Center of Safe and Secure Society, Nagaoka University of Technology)	2014.10-2017.9

FY2013

Frame I

Action Research for Realizing Innovation with Infometric Approach KAJIKAWA Yuya (Associate Professor, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology)	2013.10-2016.9

Frame II

A Study on Methods for Objective/Quantitative Assessment of the Impact of Satellite Observations on Environmental Policy KASAI Yasuko (Executive Researcher, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT))	2013.10-2016.9
Scenario Planning for Making Regulatory Policies and Technical Standards in Advanced Medicine KANO Shingo (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo)	2013.10-2016.9
Resilience Analysis for Social Safety Policy FURUTA Kazuo (Professor/Director, Resilience Engineering Research Center, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo)	2013.10-2016.9

FY2012

Framework for Broad Public Engagement in STI Policy (PESTI) KANO Kei (Associate Professor, Faculty of education, Shiga University / Science Communication Group, WPI-iCeMS, Kyoto University)	2012.10-2015.9
Development of the Case-Based Reasoning System for Regional Science and Technology Policy NAGATA Akiya (Director/Professor, Center for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Studies, Kyushu University)	2012.10-2015.9
Economic Growth Analysis of Science, Technology, and Innovation Policies NIREI Makoto (Associate Professor, Institute of Innovation Research, Hitotsubashi University)	2012.10-2015.9
Resource Logistics as a Support Tool of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Decision MATSUBAE Kazuyo (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University)	2012.10-2015.9
Conservation and Energy Utilization of Water as Common Resources for Leading Innovation AMANO Yoshihiko (Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Shinshu University)	2012.10-2015.9

FY2011

Development of Methods for Impact Assessment of Electric Power Innovation and R&D Network Evaluation AKIYAMA Taro (Professor, Center for Economics Growth Strategy, Yokohama National University)	2011.11-2014.10
Scientometrics Conducive to Management of Funding Programs SHIRABE Masashi (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology)	2011.11-2014.10
Methodology Development for Visualization and Quantification of Social Expectation to Science Technology TAMAMURA Masatoshi (Associate Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University)	2011.11-2014.10
Research on Scientific Sources of Innovations and Economic Impacts of Science NAGAOKA Sadao (Professor, Institute of Innovation Research, Hitotsubashi University)	2011.11-2014.10
Integrating Joint Fact-finding into Policy-Making Processes (IJff) MATSUURA Masahiro (Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo)	2011.11-2014.10
Study of Innovation Strategies Conducive to Creating Future Industries YAMAGUCHI Eiichi (Professor, Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University)	2011.11-2014.10

Frame I : Supply more useful evidence for ST&I policy-making/Originality and uniqueness
Frame II : Targeting to solution for specific social issues/Containing of varied phases from S&T research to discussion on institution setting in order to realize innovation

International Forum 'Grand Challenges for Innovating Policy-Forming Process ~The Initiative for Development of "Science of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy"

JST/RISTEX co-organized the international forum 'Grand Challenges for Innovating Policy-Forming Process ~The Initiative for Development of "Science of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy" with MEXT, NISTEP and JST/CRDS at MEXT Lecture hall on June 22, 2011.

Forum Report