The 59th session of the Council for Science and Technology Policy was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence on September 22, 2006.?During the meeting, discussions took place on the progress the Koizumi Cabinet has made toward establishing Japan as an advanced science- and technology-oriented nation over the past five years and five months. In the course of this discussion, the results achieved by reforms to date were confirmed. Executive members of the Council expressed their opinion that policy must also be further developed to work toward establishing Japan as an advanced science- and technology-oriented nation on the basis of the Third Science and Technology Basic Plan.
In concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi summarized the discussion as follows: "We have regarded science and technology as the keys to achieving a balance between environmental protection and economic growth. The importance of science and technology is also recognized by much of the public as well as by knowledgeable people. I would therefore like all of you to cooperate in building Japan up to be one of the world's most advanced science- and technology-oriented nations. I think that science and technology are of crucial importance not only in terms of achieving a balance between environmental protection and economic growth, but also in the interest of better health, in the interest of assuring our security, and in the interest of the future."