Abstract
The Council on Science and Technology submitted the 18th Basic Policy Perspective, "General Basic Policy of Science and Technology Towards the New Century", to the Prime Minister in January 192. This report will be the basic policy guideline for the Japanese government over the next ten years. During the deliberation process, council members disucussed the following problems at length: i) the structure of Japan's science and technology system - the balance between basic research and applied research -, ii) human resources in the future, iii) operating systems in universities and national laboratories, iv) international contribution. As a results of these discussions, three directives were decided on: i) human beings must be responsible for protecting the earth's environment, ii) enlargement of intellectual stock, iii) working towards achieving affluence in society. To accomplish these three goals, seven policy goals were outline as follows: i) harmony between S&T and human society, ii) development of better human resources in S&T, iii0 expansion of R&D investment, iv) reinforcement of R&D infrastructure, v) initiation of R&D activities and publication of creative accomplishments, vi) intensification of international activities in S&T, vii) promotion of S&T in local areas. Based on these goals, concrete policies with overriding priority are presented.
