Editorial: Science Council of Japan must not become government tool
A law has been passed to turn the Science Council of Japan from a special organization operating independently of the government into a special corporate entity, effective October 2026. There remain concerns that the operational independence of the council could be threatened. It is only natural that the council and academic organizations across Japan have joined in calling for the legislation to be amended or repealed.
With the transition, a new mechanism of government oversight has been included, whereby auditors and evaluation committee members appointed by the prime minister will review the council's activity plans and operations.
If the government interferes with policy proposals or research directions, academic freedom will be shaken.
Government influence may also extend to the selection of members when the new organization is launched. Experts appointed by the prime minister will be included in the committee responsible for selecting members.
It will also become possible to dismiss members in the science council's general meetings. Manabu Sakai, the minister of state for special missions in the Cabinet Office, stated in the Diet that dismissal could occur if "specific ideologies or partisan claims are repeatedly made." If political opinions become grounds for dismissal, there is a risk of infringing on freedom of thought and belief.
In the first place, reform of the council stemmed from government intervention in personnel decisions. In 2020, a problem erupted over then Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's refusal to appoint six people to the science council. Without explaining the reasons, the government proceeded with an organizational review as if to reproach the council for its opposition; an act that invited distrust.
The Science Council of Japan was established as a response to the fact that many scientists were coerced into cooperating with the government and military during World War II.
In 1950 and 1967, the council issued statements that it would not engage in research for war or military purposes. In 2017, it similarly expressed a cautious stance toward government-promoted research with potential military applications and has repeatedly made recommendations from an independent position.
The government's argument is that "to spend government funds, a certain level of involvement is necessary." But if the new organization panders to the government or is used to endorse government policies, questions will be raised about its very existence. Its international reputation will also suffer.
Academic freedom and its results are foundational supports for the interests of humanity. The council cannot fulfill its role as an academy providing scientific views as long as there is room for political intervention.
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