The 62nd session of the Council for Science and Technology Policy was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence on December 25, 2006.?During the meeting, discussions took place on institutional reforms for the advancement of science and technology, and for the return of research results to society. This extended to such matters as the establishment of institutional inducements to attract top researchers from other countries to Japan, the comprehensive promotion of clinical research, to include clinical testing, the creation of an environment that will increase activity by female researchers, and so on. All 66 such reforms were approved, a timetable was decided upon, and the findings were presented to the Prime Minister and the ministers concerned.
In concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Abe summarized the discussion as follows: "Science and technology truly represent an investment in the future, and they are clearly positioned among our priority issues in formulating the budget for fiscal year 2007. The institutional reforms that were proposed today will be extremely important if this country is to survive through innovation, and I would like them to be put into effect as quickly as possible. In addition, I would like you to engage in discussion of further institutional reforms, such as reform of research funding. I would also request that the Council for Science and Technology Policy press ahead in studying Innovation 25 with a view to putting these strategic guidelines into effect."