General Challenges for EBPM Identified Through a Cross-Sectoral Study and Characteristics of EBPM in the STI Sector

Abstract

The Japanese government has strongly promoted EBPM in recent years, and related activities have shown progress in each ministry. In reality, however, diverse kinds of evidence have already been used in varied forms in each policy sector. While some multi-sectoral studies on EBPM have been conducted, they have set no framework for cross-sectoral comparison, leaving the overall picture of challenges for EBPM unclear. To address this gap, the authors have conducted a cross-sectoral study on the current status and challenges of EBPM in Japan from a practical perspective, utilizing the conceptual framework of the Science-Policy Interface (SPI). This study, dealing with 12 policy fields, has identified 6 categories of general challenges for EBPM in Japan. Based on such findings, this paper discusses the current status and challenges of EBPM in the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) sector, comparing them with those of other sectors.