NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
TOKYO REGIONAL OFFICE

January 6, 2005

The National Science Foundation's Tokyo Regional Office periodically reports on developments in Japan that are related to the Foundation's mission.  It also provides occasional reports on developments in other East Asian countries.

Tokyo Office Report Memoranda are intended to provide information for the use of NSF program officers and policy makers; they are not statements of NSF policy.

Report Memorandum #05-01

The following report was prepared by Ms. Kazuko Shinohara of the National Science Foundation’s Tokyo Regional Office. She can be reached at kshinoha@nsf.gov

S&T-related Budget for JFY2005
- Quick Summary -

Following the budget requests submitted by the agencies/ministries at the end of August 2004 (http://www.nsftokyo.org/rm04-08.html), CSTP (Council for the Science and Technology Policy) reviewed and ranked the requests (http://www.nsftokyo.org/rm04-09.html). Based on the rating, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) reviewed the requests and decided the almost-final figures for JFY2005 budget on December 24, 2004. The total S&T-related budget for JFY2005 is Yen 3,578.5 billion (ca. $35.1 billion), a decrease of 0.8 percent over the previous year’s S&T-related budget. The decrease is attributed to the overall Japanese government budgetary cutback. Table 1 shows the S&T-related budget by ministry/agency for JFY2005, together with the figures for JFY2004 and increase/decrease percentages. Also, Table 2 shows the final figure for each project. The fact that some of the C-rated projects received no funding can be taken as evidence that the CSTP’s ratings were considered by MOF in the budget process.

The total amount of S&T-related budget from 2001 through 2005 will be Yen 20,672.9 billion (ca. $202.7), excluding S&T-related budget in local prefectures for JFY 2005 which is not yet calculated. Whereas it will fall short of the Yen 24 trillion (ca. $235 billion) that was targeted for the total S&T-related budget from 2001 through 2005 in the Second Basic Plan (http://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/english/basicplan01-05.pdf), it still represents a considerable increase when many other areas had severe budgetary cutbacks because of the stagnant economy.

The total amounts for competitive funds for JFY2005 will be Yen 467.2 billion (ca. 4.6 billion), an increase of 29.6 percent over the previous year. Competitive funds were expected to double in five years from the amount of Yen 296.8 billion (ca. $2.9 billion) in JFY2001. Whereas the goal was not attained, the funds still had a big increase of more than 1.5 times during the five years. The efforts for reforming the competitive funding system are still accelerating and will be carried over in JFY 2005. One of them is seen in that JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency) will have the Second Program Officer System Meeting, inviting all the government agencies, in late January. They are exploring and designing an improved funding system whose evaluation mechanism they expect to have the best ever accountability. The model will resemble the NSF’s funding system.

Table 1.

S&T-related Budget by Ministry/Agency ? JFY2005

(Unit: Billion Yen)

　

S&T-related Budgets 2005(Yen Billion)

S&T-related Budgets 2004 (Yen Billion)

Increase/Decrease (%)

MEXT: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

2,305.7

2,284.0

1.0

METI: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

590.7

605.3

-2.4

Defense Agency

144.8

185.5

-22.0

MHLW: Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare

129.1

129.0

0.0

MAFF: Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Fisheries

119.1

119.0

0.1

MLIF: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation

83.1

83.7

-0.8

MIC: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

82.8

80.1

3.3

Cabinet Secretariat

62.5

63.2

-1.1

MOE: Ministry of Environment

29.2

31.2

-6.4

Cabinet Office

13.8

10.0

38.4

MOFA: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

10.9

10.3

5.6

MOJ: Ministry of Justice

2.2

2.2

-0.2

Police Agency

2.2

2.2

0.1

Diet

1.0

1.0

-1.5

TOTAL:

3,578.5

3,608.4

-0.8

Table 2.

S&T-related Budget by Major Project ? JFY2005

Blue letters: Part of the funds will be used for the project.
Red letters: Projects already cited under other categories

(Unit: Million Yen)

Ministry

JFY2005 Budget

JFY2005 Request

JFY2004 Budget

PROJECT

Yen Million

Yen Million

Yen Million

BASIC SCIENCE

A

COE Program in the 21st Century

MEXT

38,171

47,657

36,727

A

Private University Education and Research (S&T-related budget only)

MEXT

168,813

175,961

169,694

B

Establishment of operation system of SPring-8

MEXT

10,782

12,227

11,427

A

High intensity proton accelerator

MEXT

24,682

26,332

19,362

A

ALMA

MEXT

2,817

3,039

1,003

LIFE SCIENCE

S

Post genome research

MEXT

2,315

3,500

1,500

A

Tailor-made medical care

MEXT

3,165

3,955

2,650

S

Protein 3000

MEXT

9,773

10,690

9,050

S

Molecule imaging

MEXT

1,150

3,010

0

C

Frontier life science

MEXT

0

2,220

0

B

Cell- and Bio-simulation

MEXT

722

760

760

B

Disease-related protein analyses

MHLW

661

662

662

A

Human genome/regenerative medical care (genetic treatment)

MHLW

2,288

2,179

2,179

B

Early-stage frontier medicare research (Toxicogenomics)

MHLW

1,150

1,177

1,176

B

Early-stage frontier medicare research (Pharmacogenomics)

MHLW

564

1,050

0

A

National bio-resource project

MEXT

1,270

1,880

1,672

A

National bio-resource project (rat, fly)

MEXT

400

420

0

A

Rice genome resource center

MAFF

86

87

87

B

Comprehensive genome information project

METI

600

800

0

A

Time capsule for environmental information, including endangered wildlife

MOE

95

115

115

A

New and recurrent infectious diseases

MEXT

2,300

4,500

0

S

HIV/hepatitis/new and recurrent infectious diseases

MHLW

4,526

4,921

4,211

B

Tuberculosis Disease Research

MHLW

516

524

526

A

National Institute of Infectious Diseases

MHLW

6,934

7,034

7,309

A

International Medical Care Cooperation

MHLW

460

460

460

A

BSE and human/animal infectious diseases

MAFF

875

981

861

B

Regenerative medical care

MEXT

1,112

1,380

1,235

A

Human genome/regenerative medical care (regenerative medical care)

MHLW

985

1,500

933

B

Cancer translational research

MEXT

962

2,167

1,000

S

Third anti-cancer comprehensive strategic research

MHLW

4,865

6,601

4,633

A

Cancer research grants

MHLW

1,850

1,850

1,850

A

Cardiovascular diseases research

MHLW

2,177

4,500

1,298

B

Cardiovascular diseases contract research

MHLW

710

710

710

A

immunity/allergy diseases prevention/care

MHLW

1,140

1,195

1,105

A

Mental health science

MHLW

2,037

2,256

1,756

B

Mental/nervous diseases contract research

MHLW

710

710

710

S

Bio function measurement using optical technology

MEXT

600

612

572

B

Early-stage frontier medicare research (nanomedicine)

MHLW

1,416

2,403

0

B

Bio function analyses/aid equipment

MHLW

1,113

1,900

700

A

Clinical test on pharmaceuticals

MHLW

1,082

2,155

1,082

B

Clinical test on basic research

MHLW

1,004

1,034

1,034

C

Comprehensive research on human science, including pharmaceuticals

MHLW

1,997

2,531

2,528

A

Rice genome: functional analyses of genes

MAFF

723

723

723

A

Rice genome: Efficient fostering system of new species, using DNA marker

MAFF

351

420

474

A

Rice genome: Gene map and mutant panel-use type

MAFF

239

307

307

A

Rice genome: Recombinant-use type

MAFF

151

152

152

S

QTL gene analyses

MAFF

550

804

0

A

Diverse genome research

MAFF

787

1,504

0

A

Genome breeding technology development and proof

MAFF

243

705

0

A

Brand Nippon: safe and secure foods

MAFF

1,088

1,096

1,096

B

Environment-friendly technology, using bio functions

MAFF

233

354

354

B

Livestock genome research

MAFF

193

241

187

B

Safe and secure livestock production technology

MAFF

150

800

0

A

Insect technology research

MAFF

460

502

502

B

Agro-bio research and industrialization

MAFF

985

1,504

1,004

A

Technology for producing eel and lobster eggs

MAFF

200

400

0

B

Contract research for evaluating food effects on human health

CAO

120

196

0

C

Comprehensive research on medical technology evaluation

MHLW

1,432

2,018

1,719

A

Pesticide chemicals in food

MHLW

57

57

59

B

Pharmaceuticals/medical equipment regulatory science

MHLW

1,278

1,610

1,455

B

Food safety

MHLW

1,352

1,887

1,482

B

National Institute of Health Sciences

MHLW

3,446

3,582

4,734

B

Comprehensive research on food safety and functionality

MAFF

937

1,241

1,041

B

Development of food safety and security technology

MAFF

90

100

126

B

Administrative policy research

MHLW

964

1,277

915

A

Comprehensive research on longevity science

MHLW

2,077

2,993

2,063

B

Contract research on longevity medical care

MHLW

260

260

260

B

Comprehensive research on children and family

MHLW

1,013

1,427

1,161

B

Contract research on reproduction cycle medical care

MHLW

260

260

260

A

Handicapped-related research

MHLW

847

916

853

A

Research on hard-to-cure disease

MHLW

2,239

2,306

2,126

C

Comprehensive research on health sciences, excluding finding in early stage and countermeasures

MHLW

987

1,252

1,150

C

Comprehensive research on health sciences, focusing on finding in early stage and countermeasures

MHLW

200

400

0

B

Special research on MHLW sciences

MHLW

303

350

352

S

Security on recombinant DNA

MAFF

532

600

497

C

Frontier industrial technology development, including agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and food industries

MAFF

0

249

375

B

Revitalization of food industries in local areas

MAFF

873

914

0

B

Highly functional seed production/distribution system

MAFF

16

18

18

B

Contracts for specific test projects

MAFF

1,068

1,079

1,079

A

Elucidation of the change in marine bio resources and development of highly precise prediction technology on the change

MAFF

104

105

105

A

Comprehensive management technology on harmful chemical substances in the ecosystem in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries

MAFF

444

450

450

C

Gardening system with efficient productivity

MAFF

0

800

0

C

Local crop rotation system with efficient productivity

MAFF

130

250

0

-

Human Frontier Science Program

MEXT

2,120

2,179

2,179

METI

1,244

1,267

1,279

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

A

Ubiquitous sensor network

MIC

400

500

0

A

Asia ubiquitous platform technology

MIC

330

600

0

A

Ubiquitous network

MIC

2,608

3,105

3,105

S

Highly efficient use of electronic tag

MIC

629

699

699

S

Basic technologies for supporting safe ubiquitous society

MEXT

360

600

0

A

Rationalization of supply chain with electronic tag

METI

3,100

3,160

3,000

A

Autonomous move support project

MLIT

490

500

480

C

Public transportation real time system

MLIT

0

13

0

S

Next-generation backbone network for internet

MIC

2,000

2,000

0

C

Networking of digital home appliances

MIC

0

300

0

B

Shift of internet to IPv6

MIC

1,053

1,752

1,752

A

Joint use of high-level electric wave in mobile communication system

MIC

7,842

11,288

0

A

Basic research in wireless communication system with 6-30GHz

MIC

7,842

11,288

0

A

Wireless communication system with 30GHz and up

MIC

7,842

11,288

0

B

Narrower band for radar

MIC

7,842

11,288

0

B

Joint technologies for satellite communications and other communications

MIC

7,842

11,288

0

B

Next-generation wireless communication measurement technologies

MIC

7,842

11,288

0

A

Consolidation of digital information home appliances

METI

1,500

2,500

0

B

Advanced network identification technologies

MIC

660

1,100

1,040

A

Early-stage caution for computer security

METI

883

1,350

0

B

Company/individual security countermeasures

METI

921

1,800

0

B

Next-generation image contents production/distribution

MIC

170

380

0

C

Environment-friendly image expression technologies

MIC

0

107

0

A

Basic software for e-Society

MEXT

1,034

1,100

1,100

A

Industry-university cooperation software engineering

METI

900

1,200

932

A

Advanced social infrastructure software

METI

612

1,000

0

B

Verification of mutual usability of medical information system

METI

449

600

0

B

Asia OSS (Open Source Software)

METI

343

500

0

B

Network human interface: multi language voice translation system

MIC

476

850

730

B

Network human interface: Effect of optical stimulus on human body

MIC

476

850

730

A

Network human interface: Network robotics

MIC

476

850

730

A

Detective robots at Nuclear/biological/chemical accident sites

MIC

106

200

200

B

Urban earthquake disaster mitigation special project

MEXT

997

1,334

1,246

A

IT-supported system development

MLIT

156

158

158

B

IT program: Supercomputer network

MEXT

355

502

752

B

IT program: Experiments on supercomputer network

MEXT

355

502

752

C

IT program: Large-scale system, using IT

MEXT

355

502

752

A

Super high-speed computer network project (National Research Grid Initiative)

MEXT

1,950

1,950

1,950

S

Technologies for future supercomputing

MEXT

1,454

2,000

0

A

Innovative simulation software

MEXT

1,160

1,600

0

A

Business grid computing

METI

2,431

2,600

2,501

A

World advanced IT nation (IT program)

MEXT

1,598

1,998

2,747

B

Manufacturing technologies for advanced integrated circuits, including EUV (extreme ultra violet) light source

MEXT

933

1,083

1,140

B

Next-generation high-speed communication equipment

METI

2,619

2,700

2,325

B

Advanced personnel fostering with Industry-university cooperation: Intensive, advanced personnel fostering

MEXT

0

1,703

0

ENVIRONMENT

S

Global environment R&D

MEXT

0

1,020

0

A

Personnel/nature/earth coexistence project

MEXT

3,597

3,827

4,127

A

Antarctic observation

MEXT

7,933

11,323

7,129

S

Earth observation system

MEXT

1,017

1,702

0

A

Earth observation system with satellites

MEXT

3,555

6,238

1,406

B

Efficient transport of natural gas in economy-transient countries

MOE

150

150

0

A

Carbon dioxide detachment and collection technologies

METI

650

700

350

A

Next-generation super eco ship

MLIT

164

164

564

C

Energy-saving type low temperature natural cooling/freezing equipment

MOE

200

400

0

A

Environment-friendly processing technology, using highly efficient oxidization catalysts

METI

150

150

0

C

Competitive funds for market-directed global warming countermeasures

MOE

250

1,000

500

B

Hydrogen fuel battery, using natural energy

MLIT

53

382

0

B

Security measurement to cope with new technologies/new materials

MIC

76

127

87

B

Biomass fuel introduction

METI

900

900

500

B

Biomass fuel vehicles

MLIT

83

135

135

A

Complex processing/recycling of general/industrial wastes/biomass

MEXT

475

475

475

A

Bio-recycle for agriculture, forestry and fisheries

MAFF

1,400

2,040

1,260

B

Cost-effective biomass plastic manufacturing

MAFF

126

140

140

B

Woody resource recycling

MAFF

95

128

128

A

Utilization of advanced biomass resources

MLIT

223

251

0

B

Advanced maintenance technologies for long life of structures

METI

124

284

50

B

Risk analyses of food/pharmaceuticals/chemical substances

MHLW

1,866

2,049

2,049

A

Basic information for risk management of chemical substances

METI

46

50

50

B

Endocrine disruptor by chemical substances: international standardization and consolidation of its harm-ness information on the test and evaluation methods

METI

378

426

0

A

Chemical substances of big production volume: International safety evaluation

METI

184

215

0

B

Dioxin in river

MLIT

141

152

173

C

Soil/underwater contamination vs. the areas

MLIT

0

40

31

A

Environment technologies, using nanotechnology

MOE

400

6