Japan enacts law to turn science council into special entity
The new law for the council, which represents the country's scientific community, will come into effect in October 2026.
In a plenary meeting of the House of Councilors, the upper chamber of parliament, the bill was approved by a majority vote with support from the ruling bloc and Nippon Ishin no Kai, an opposition party, following its passage last month at the House of Representatives, the lower chamber.
The SCJ had called for revising the bill due to concerns about its independence.
Meanwhile, an amendment proposed by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan was voted down Tuesday at the Cabinet Committee of the Upper House.
Under the new law, the council will be positioned as a "representative organization for Japanese scientists at home and abroad," and the government will provide necessary financial support.
The law will newly establish an evaluation committee and auditors, to be appointed by the prime minister, to check the council's activities and finances.
The SCJ will continue to hold the right to make recommendations to the government on science and technology policies.
The law expands the number of council members from 210 to 250. Newcomers will be approved through a vote in the council's general meeting, after being nominated by a selection committee comprising council members.
An advisory committee of outside experts will be able to give opinions on the nomination policy.
In 2020, then-Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga took the unprecedented step of rejecting the appointments of six council member nominees, sparking a debate over how the body should be structured.
In 2023, the government compiled a bill to change the council's membership selection method, but gave up submitting it to parliament due to strong opposition from the council.
After discussions with experts, the government decided to seek a new law that turns the body into a corporation.
SCJ President Mamoru Mitsuishi had released a statement on the new law, saying, "Concerns have not been eliminated from the perspective of autonomy and independence."
At its general meeting in April, the SCJ approved by a majority vote a resolution seeking the bill's revision.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NHK
44 minutes ago
- NHK
Ishiba to urge Trump to sign order to cut auto tariffs
Japan's Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru says he will do all he can to urge US President Donald Trump to quickly sign an executive order to cut auto tariffs, following last month's agreement between the two countries. The Lower House budget committee debated the bilateral tariff agreement and other issues on Monday, with Ishiba and Japan's top tariff negotiator, Akazawa Ryosei, in attendance. Yamashita Takashi, former justice minister of the main governing Liberal Democratic Party, said the principle of investment rather than tariffs has become the standard for Trump's tariff measures. He cited an agreement between the US and the European Union as one example. Yamashita asked Ishiba to explain the significance of the Japan-US deal. The prime minister said both countries will bring their technology, labor forces and capital together to offer better things to the world, with jobs created in the US and no job losses in Japan. He said it will be a "win-win relationship." Ishiba said some people think that implementing the agreement will be more difficult than reaching it. He asked for continued support. Yamashita referred to an agreement between the ruling and opposition blocs to abolish the provisional gasoline tax rate this year. He asked Ishiba whether he ordered the move as the LDP leader. Ishiba said he did, adding that the government will do all it can to implement the agreement on the tax rate sincerely, steadily and swiftly. The leader of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Noda Yoshihiko, said a document was created for the 2019 Japan-US trade agreement, but it was effectively scrapped. He said the Trump administration may stretch the interpretation of the recent bilateral agreement and "keep ripping Japan off" if a document is not produced. Ishiba said the US president is the type of person who changes rules. He said his major concern is that drawing up a document would lead to a delay in tariff cuts. Ishiba said Trump should focus on issuing an executive order to cut auto tariffs, which is most important for national interests. He said he decided not to draw up a document after carefully considering what will be best for Japan. Noda also took up the topic of political reform. He said his party has been calling for banning donations from companies and organizations. Noda said the largest force and the second largest force in the Diet should sincerely discuss the matter, reach a conclusion and ask for support from other parties. He expressed hope that Ishiba will hold talks on the issue with him rather than leaving it to people at the working level to reach an agreement. Ishiba said he will try to discuss essential issues with Noda and share the results with other parties to ensure fairness and prevent money from swaying politics. Ishiba also referred to a message he intends to issue to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two. He said that regardless of the format, it is necessary to release the message to prevent memories from fading and war from breaking out again. Ishiba said he has strong feelings about the issue and will try to draw up a better message that reflects a range of views.
NHK
an hour ago
- NHK
Two Japanese astronauts hold news conference from ISS
Two Japanese astronauts have held a joint news conference from the International Space Station. Yui Kimiya is going to take over the mission from Onishi Takuya, who has been in space since March. Yui arrived at the ISS on Saturday. The handover ceremony and the news conference started around 7:40 p.m. on Monday, Japan time. During a symbolic sash relay from Onishi to Yui, Yui said the sash is light in microgravity, but the responsibility handed to him is heavy. Onishi is about to end his second long-duration stay at the ISS. His first stay was in 2016. Looking back on the mission this time, Onishi said he made more minor mistakes than his previous mission. He said that is not all because he is older, but he asked Yui to be careful. Yui is six years older than Onishi and his last mission on the ISS was in 2015. Yui responded with a smile that he may need reading glasses and may have trouble in doing some tasks but he will do his best. At the news conference, Onishi said it is always exciting to welcome new members to the closed world of the ISS but he is particularly delighted to see Yui among the new crew. He said Yui and he did not say anything when they saw each other's faces; only an emotional hug followed. Yui said he will take over Onishi's good work, while offering his strength as he spends months at the ISS. He also said he wants to show through activities at the ISS that Japan's tremendous power will lead to a bright future. He said he wants to deliver positive news that will lift the spirits of the people of Japan. Their joint stay aboard the ISS is limited as Onishi is due to return to the earth on Thursday.
NHK
3 hours ago
- NHK
Ukrainian deputy PM hopes for more support from Japan to rebuild
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka has spoken at a forum in Tokyo where he expressed his hope for further support from Japan in rebuilding his country. The forum on Monday hosted government officials and business representatives from the two nations for discussions on bilateral cooperation toward Ukraine's economic reconstruction. More than 300 people took part in the forum. Kachka was among the guests from Ukraine, along with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and First Lady Olena Zelenska. The three are now staying in Japan to visit the World Expo in Osaka. Japanese parliamentary vice-minister of economy, trade and industry Kato Akiyoshi said Japan hopes to deepen bilateral ties through concrete projects that reflect its unique strengths. Kachka expressed his gratitude for the support Japan has provided so far, and said his country appreciates the forum as a next step in Ukraine's long road to recovery. The two nations have already exchanged more than 80 cooperation documents on Ukraine's reconstruction. At the event, 29 new documents were unveiled, covering areas such as agricultural development and debris removal. It is estimated that it will cost 524 billion dollars over the next decade for Ukraine's reconstruction. The Ukrainian government wants to attract investments from Japanese businesses.
