The 88th session of the Council for Science and Technology Policy (CSTP) was held at the Prime Minister's Office on February 3, 2010.

At the session, the CSTP discussed the outline of the Funding Program for Next Generation World-Leading Researchers, which supports young researchers, female researchers, and researchers deeply connected with regional activities who conduct research on green innovation or life science innovation , and the Initiative to Prioritize and Rationalize the Science and Technology Budget, which is aimed at drawing up an action plan as a new approach to budget formulation. As a result of these discussions, the CSTP decided to leave it to the Prime Minister and the Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy to determine the basic policy for the management of the Funding Program for Next Generation World-Leading Researchers, based on coordination with the relevant ministers. It also approved the Initiative to Prioritize and Rationalize the Science and Technology Budget. From now on, the science and technology budget will be formulated in accordance with this initiative.

Prime Minister Hatoyama concluded the session by commenting, “Drawing up an action plan as an initiative to prioritize and rationalize the science and technology budget will be a monumental achievement in that it changes the method of budget formulation. Although the Council for Science and Technology Policy may have until now maintained a passive attitude, it will proactively play a major role from now on. “I would like to ask each of the relevant ministers to make an active effort to draw up the action plan. In this difficult economic situation, all of you should understand the important missions that you are assigned to execute. Through the open process of the Council for Science and Technology Policy, we will work hard to improve the quality and transparency of the science and technology budget under the leadership of Minister Kawabata.”