The 87th session of the Council for Science and Technology Policy (CSTP) was held at the Prime Minister's Office on December 9, 2009.

At this session, views were reported on the results of the evaluation on the priority of science and technology measures in the budget request for fiscal 2010 and on the activities of incorporated administrative agencies and national universities. In light of these reports, the CSTP decided to adopt a basic policy Toward Formulation of the Science and Technology Budget for the formulation of the budget. Its views on this matter will be conveyed to the relevant ministers. The budget will be formulated in accordance with this basic policy.

In addition, an active exchange of opinions was held on such issues as the treatment of young researchers and foreign researchers.

Prime Minister Hatoyama concluded the session by commenting, “Science and technology policy measures have been prioritized in a process that is open to the people. This is a new approach; action was taken on a different dimension from the process for screening budget programs that we have introduced, but based on a similar concept. “It is important to enable the people to recognize the importance of science and technology through an open process, and I believe that the involvement of the people in the process will increase their understanding. It is a major negative feature of Japan that young researchers get the cold shoulder and foreign researchers face a closed door. Unless this problem is resolved, Japan will not be able to lead the world in science and technology. “It is very important to consider how to create a favorable environment for foreign researchers to engage in world-leading research programs in Japan, and how to change Japan so that it will devote more of its efforts to basic research, rather than seeking quick results from young researchers, as some research programs take time ― five years or 10 years ― before yielding results. As chairman of the CSTP, I take the opinions expressed today seriously, and I will try to fully reflect them in the budget.”