Translation of Japanese Law

Chapter 1; General Provisions (Articles 1 - 8)
Chapter 2; Science and Technology Basic Plan (Article 9)
Chapter 3; Promotion of Research and Development (Articles 10 - 17)
Chapter 4; Promotion of International Exchange (Article 18)
Chapter 5; Promotion of Learning on Science/Technology (Article 19)
Supplementary Provisions

Chapter 1 General Provisions
Article 1
 The objective of this law is to achieve a higher standard of science and technology (hereinafter referred to as "Science/Technology"), to contribute to the development of the economy and society in Japan and to the improvement of the welfare of Japan, as well as to contribute to the progress of Science/Technology in the world and the sustainable development of human society, through prescribing the basic policy requirements for the promotion of Science/Technology (excluding those relevant only to the humanities in this law) and comprehensively and systematically promoting policies for the progress of Science/Technology.

Guidelines for Promotion of Science/Technology
Article 2
1.       Science/technology shall be actively promoted in harmony with human life, society and nature with the recognition that the creativity of researchers and technicians (hereinafter referred to as "Researchers") can be fully developed, in consideration of the fact that Science/Technology provides the basis for the future development of Japan and human society and that the accumulation of knowledge on Science/Technology is the intellectual asset common for all mankind.
2.      In the promotion of Science/Technology, the improvement of balanced ability of research and development (hereinafter referred to as "R&D") in various fields, harmonized development among basic research, applied research and development and organic cooperation of national research institutes, universities (including graduate schools in this law.) and private sector etc. should be considered, and in consideration of the fact that the mutual connection between natural science and the humanities is essential for the progress of Science/Technology, attention should be paid to the balanced development of both.

Responsibility of Japan
Article 3
Japan is responsible for formulating and implementing comprehensive policies with regard to the promotion of Science/Technology.

Responsibility of Local Governments
Article 4
The local governments are responsible for formulating and implementing policies with regard to the promotion of Science/Technology corresponding to national policies and policies of their own initiatives in accordance with the characteristics of their jurisdictions.

Necessary Consideration to be given by Japan and Local Governments in Formulating Policies
Article 5
In formulating and implementing policies with regard to the promotion of Science/Technology, Japan and local governments shall pay attention to the importance of their roles in promoting basic research and  consider that basic research has the following characteristics:

(i) It could bring about discovery and elucidation of new phenomena and make the creation of novel technologies possible;
(ii) Forecasting its results at the outset of research is difficult.

Necessary Consideration in Policies with regard to universities
Article 6
In formulating and implementing policies related to universities and Inter-university Research Institutes (hereinafter referred to as "Universities"), with regard to the promotion of Science/Technology, the local and national governments shall make an effort to activate research in Universities, respect the autonomy of Researchers and consider the characteristics of research in Universities.

Legislative and other Measures
Article 7
The Government shall take the appropriate legislative, fiscal, financial and other necessary measures required to implement the policies with regard to the promotion of Science/Technology.

Annual Report
Article 8
The Government shall annually submit a report on the policy measures implemented with regard to the promotion of Science/Technology to the National Diet.

Chapter 2 Science/Technology Basic Plan
Article 9

Promotion of R&D
Balanced Promotion of various levels of R&D
Article 10
Japan should implement necessary policy measures for the balanced promotion of various levels of R&D in comprehensive fields as well as take necessary measures for the planning and implementation of R&D in the specific fields of Science/Technology where Japan considers further promotion important.

Obtaining Researchers
Article 11
Japan should implement necessary policy measures to improve education and research in graduate schools, to secure and train Researchers and to improve their quality in order to promote R&D corresponding to the progress of Science/Technology.

Japan should implement necessary policy measures to improve the occupational conditions of Researchers in order for their positions to be attractive commensurate with their importance. In consideration of the fact that R&D supporting personnel are essential for the smooth promotion of R&D, Japan should implement necessary policy measures corresponding to; the preceding two paragraphs in order to secure and train them and to improve their quality of service a long with their occupational conditions.

Improvement of Facilities
Article 12
Japan should implement necessary policy measures to improve research facilities of R&D institutions (the term "R&D institutions" is defined as national research institutes and institutions for R&D in Universities, private sector and so on in this law) in order to promote R&D corresponding to the progress of Science/Technology.

Japan should implement necessary policy measures to upgrade  supporting R&D functions such as supplying research materials smoothly in order to promote R&D effectively.

Promotion of Information Intensive R&D
Article 13
Japan should take necessary policies to promote information intensive R&D activities such as the advancement of information processing in Science/Technology, the maintenance of databases on Science/Technology and the construction of information networks among R&D institutions in order to promote R&D effectively.

Promotion of Exchange in R&D
Article 14
Japan should implement necessary policy measures for the promotion of R&D to enhance various exchanges such as the exchange of Researchers, joint R&D of R&D institutions and joint use of Facilities of R&D institutions, in consideration of the fact that promoting the fusion of various Researchers' knowledge through exchanges between R&D institutions and/or Researchers is the source of new R&D progress and that this exchange is essential for the effective promotion of R&D.

Effective use of R&D funds
Article 15
Japan should implement necessary policy measures to use R&D funds effectively corresponding to the progress of R&D in order to promote R&D smoothly.

Making public the results of R&D
Article 16
Japan should implement necessary policy measures to diffuse the results of R&D, such as the publication of the results of R&D and the provision of the information on R&D and measures to promote appropriate practical applications of them.

Support of efforts by private enterprises
Article 17
In consideration of the importance of the role played by the private sector in Science/Technology activities in Japan, Japan should implement necessary policy measures to promote private sector R&D by encouraging initiatives in the private sector.

Chapter 4  Promotion of International Exchange
Japan should implement necessary policy measures to promote international exchange such as international exchange of Researchers, international joint R&D and international distribution of information on Science/Technology, in order to play an active role in international society, as well as to contribute to further progress in Science/Technology in Japan, by intensely promoting international Science/Technology activities.

Chapter 5 Promotion of Learning on Science/Technology
Article 19
Japan should implement necessary policy measures to promote the learning of Science/Technology in school and social education, to enlighten the people in Science/Technology and to disseminate knowledge on Science/Technology, so that all Japanese people including the young can deepen their understanding of and interest in Science/Technology with every opportunity.

Supplementary Provision
This law shall enter into force on the day of its enactment.

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