National Action Plan for Agenda 21 -Chap. 31

[Agenda 21] National Action Plan for Agenda 21

Chapter 31 SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMMUNITY

A) Improving Communication and Cooperation Among the Scientific and Technological Community, Decision Makers and the Public

As science and technology play an important role towards the realization of sustainable development, the positive practical application of science and technology is required, in broad recognition of the role they play, given by all those involved in science and technology, as well as by society in general.

Also, in addition to securely linking scientific and technological knowledge to environmental policy-making, it is important to sufficiently reflect policy needs in scientific and technological programs.

In Japan, the Council for Science and Technology, whose chairperson is the Prime Minister, and which is comprised of related ministers and distinguished experts, has thus far played the role of deliberating and recommending to the Prime Minister the establishment of basic and comprehensive policies concerning general science and technology, and the establishment of long-term and comprehensive research goals concerning science and technology.

Taking the above into account, Japan will attach importance to the implementation of the following activities:

(1)

In order to contribute to the promotion of science and technology, as well as to international cooperation in this field, Japan will continue to positively assist the activities of the Council for Science and Technology.

(2)

In order to contribute to the independent and continuous development of Japan's neighboring countries through science and technology, in addition to improving the functions of the Association for Science Cooperation in Asia (ASCA) as a scientific and technological policy forum, Japan will also develop and substantiate programs for cooperation with the ASCA, focusing on the fostering of human resources and an information network.

(3)

Japan will promote new forms of science- and technology-related cooperation between governments, including multilateral cooperation framework as well as bilateral scientific and technological cooperation agreement, while giving due consideration to the relationship with existing international- and national-related projects and agreements.

(4)

In addition to holding workshops and symposiums to assess and spread the findings of research conducted by related agencies, Japan will also promote the creation of a database of scientific and technological information, as well as the distribution of this information.

(5)

Japan will promote the transmission of information, and the exchange of ideas and cooperation on all possible levels between the scientific and technological community and environmental policy decision makers.

31-B) Promoting Codes of Practice and Guidelines Related to Science and Technology

Establishing the General Guidelines for Science and Technological Policy Based on a recommendation submitted by the Council for Science and Technology, Japan has been making efforts in the development of policies for the promotion of science and technology. In the new General Guidelines, which were revised in April 1992, the basic direction which scientific and technological policy should be headed was agreed upon, and Japan has declared "coexistence of humans in harmony with the Earth" as one of its goals, helping the international community and mankind overall through science and technology as a basic way of thinking, while practically applying its economic, scientific and technological capacities, while also further strengthening them.

Also, in accordance with a recommendation submitted by the Council for Science and Technology, Japan has established research goals, and measures to achieve these goals in each field for which promotion is important, including the Basic Plans for Research and Development on Earth Science and Technology.

Furthermore, as regards surveys and research regarding global environmental conservation, in an agreement reached on October 31, 1989, by the Council of Ministers for Global Environmental Conservation, and which was entitled "Concerning the Overall Promotion of Surveys and Research, Observation and Monitoring, as well as Technological Development Regarding Global Environmental Conservation," the necessity for the close cooperation between related ministries and government agencies was pointed out, and the promotion of research concentrating on the overall abilities of researchers in Japan and abroad was agreed upon. As a result, the Comprehensive Promotion Programme for Global Environment Research, Monitoring and Technology Development is established every year.

Taking the above into account, Japan will attach importance to the implementation of the following activities.

(1)

Japan has thus far made a wide range of official announcements through various sources, both in Japan and abroad, in regards to its General Guideline for Scientific and Technological Policy. Japan has also explained this outline, and will continue to promote it.

(2)

In accordance with the above-mentioned plans, including the Basic Plans for Research and Development on Earth Science and Technology Agreement, and the Comprehensive Promotion Programme for Global Environment Research, Monitoring and Technology Development, Japan will work for the promotion of science and technology which are effective for sustainable development.