Society 5.0

What is Society 5.0?

The vision of the future society that Japan should strive towards that follows the eras of the hunting society (Society 1.0), agricultural society (Society 2.0), industrial society (Society 3.0), and information society (Society 4.0). In the 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan（Cabinet decision of January 22, 2016）, Society 5.0 was first proposed as "a human-centered society in which economic development and the resolution of social issues are compatible with each other through a highly integrated system of cyberspace and physical space." In order to embody and bring into reality the concept of Society 5.0 presented in the 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan, the 6th Science, Technology, and Innovation Basic Plan (Cabinet decision of March 26, 2021), depicts Society 5.0 as "a society that is sustainable and resilient against threats and unpredictable and uncertain situations, that ensures the safety and security of the people, and that individual to realize diverse well-being."

What is necessary to Realizing Society 5.0

It is necessary for the Sixth Basic Plan to embody Society 5.0 which is proposed in the Fifth Basic Plan, etc. as "a human-centered society in which economic development and the resolution of social issues are compatible with each other through a highly integrated system of cyberspace and physical space" , in light of domestic and international changes.

Transformation into a sustainable and resilient society through the fusion of cyberspace and physical space

The key to achieving Society 5.0 is the fusion of cyberspace and physical space and the values of a human-centered society.
In Society 5.0, every element of society will be built as a digital twin23 in cyberspace, restructured in terms of systems, business design, urban and regional development, etc., and then reflected in physical space to transform society.
By incorporating the human-centered values into these new processes, we will encourage individual Japanese citizens and citizens of the world to play a central role in decision-making, and society will change flexibly and expeditiously into a better shape.

Creation of knowledge as a source of value creation by designing a new society

In transitioning to Society 5.0, in order to respond to the ELSI* that arises when new technologies are utilized in society, it is necessary to have a panoramic perspective and to build a system that enables the utilization of "Convergence Knowledge (So-Go-Chi)" that includes not only the natural sciences but also the humanities and social sciences.
*ELSI: Ethical, Legal and Social Implications/Issues.

Developing human resources to support a new society

In the era of Society 5.0, it will be important to develop the abilities and qualities that can be acquired through exploratory activities to discover problems and find solutions by oneself. It will be necessary to produce human resources who can create new value in the world and to realize an education and human resource development system that will realize this.

Science, Technology and Innovation Policies for the Realization of Society 5.0

Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP)

In pursuit of realizing Society 5.0, we are backcasting and setting up issues that are important for solving social problems and for the competitiveness of the Japanese economy and industry, and promoting research and development which is essential for cooperation between government offices and ministries from basic research to social implementation in an integrated manner through industry-academia-government collaboration.
For more information, please visit the page for the Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP)(PDF:1417KB)

Programs for Bridging the gap between R&D and the IDeal society (society 5.0) and Generating Economic and social value (hereinafter referred to as "BRIDGE")

We are fostering innovation in the strategies of each ministry's research and development by bridging results, such as groundbreaking technologies produced through initiatives like SIP, toward the resolution of social issues, the creation of new businesses, and the realization of Society 5.0.

The Moonshot Research and Development Program

In pursuit of creating disruptive innovations originating from Japan, the government is setting ambitious goals and visions targeted at social issues that, while challenging, are expected to yield significant impact upon realization. It is promoting daring research and development grounded in bolder ideas. Multiple objectives have been set against the backdrop of Society 5.0.
For more information, please visit the page for the Moonshot Research and Development Program

Smart Cities

Smart cities serve as a vanguard for the realization of Society 5.0, and various ministries and agencies are united in their efforts to support the advancement of smart cities in each city and region.
For more information, please visit the page for the Smart Cities(PDF:1174KB)

Convergence Knowledge (So-Go-Chi)

Addressing societal challenges through science, technology, and innovation, as well as realizing Society 5.0 and other social reforms, requires the use of Convergence Knowledge (So-Go-Chi) that includes not only the natural sciences but also the humanities and social sciences, which play a critical role. To promote the use of convergence knowledge, we are advancing efforts such as the dissemination of information about convergence knowledge and the collection of case studies where it has been applied.

Education and the Development of Human Resources

Recognizing that "diversity," "fairness and individual dignity," and "varied well-being" are at the core of Society 5.0, we are advancing initiatives to promote education and the development of human resources policies throughout society.