Setting “Appropriate Questions” in Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

Abstract

Introducing areas of research interest (ARIs) in the UK and learning agendas in the US and analyzing pilot practices for agenda setting and policymaking at SciREX Center and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), this paper looks at the potential for new evidence-based policymaking (EBPM) in Japan. The SciREX project implemented ARI on a trial basis in FY2022 to serve as a reference for programme design in the third phase (FY2023-2025) of the Co-evolution Realisation Programme. Based on this experience and findings, the authors designed and conducted a series of workshops to examine policy questions that should be considered in the medium and long term for MEXT. Both practices primarily aim to find "just-fit" policy issues and research questions for the current organizational and institutional framework, but they also suggest possible prescriptions for approaching more essential issues and overcoming the limitations of existing EBPM.