Small size - large impact - Nanowerk

Masahiro Takemura
represented the
Nanotechnology Researchers
Network Center of Japan,
National Institute for
Materials Science, Japan
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Framing the issue of
nanotechnology – from
a Japanese perspective
Masahiro Takemura
In the 2 nd Science and Technology Basic Plan (2001 – 2005), the research area
of nanotechnology and materials is designated as one of the four prioritized areas
in funding. Following this plan, both of the main funding ministries, the Ministry
of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry
of Economy, Trade and Industries (METI), and their respective organizations, JSPS,
JST, NIMS, RIKEN, NEDO and AIST have been promoting research programs.
Besides, in order to encourage interdisciplinary and international collaboration among
researchers, the Nanotechnology Support Project was started by MEXT in 2002.
In terms of health and environmental issues, MIHS and MOE, and their institutes,
NIHS, NIIH and NIES are involved; the institutes are responsible for safety of foods
and drugs, occupational health, and environmental protection, respectively. The
importance of health, environmental, and societal issues of nanotechnology are
becoming rapidly and widely recognized in Japan; committees and workshops have
been taking place, in which AIST and NIMS are proactive.
Japan’s nanotechnology policy
Nanotechnology is now recognized worldwide as one of the key issues in science
and technology in the 21 st century. For sustainable economic development and the
comfort and safety of people, the Japanese government is committed to providing strong
support for nanotechnology research based on the Second Science and Technology Basic
Plan (2001 – 2005), prepared by the Council for Science and Technology Policy (CSTP)
whose chairperson is the Prime Minister, in March, 2001 (Government of Japan, 2001).
The Basic Plan assigns strategic priority in R&D to basic research and four prioritized
areas in funding: life sciences, information and telecommunications, environmental
sciences, and nanotechnology and materials science/technology. In nanotechnology
and materials science, CSTP exemplified five fields: nano-devices and materials for
next-generation communication systems (information technology), materials for the
environment and energy-saving (environment), nano-biology for new medical care
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