科学技術とサイエンスコミュニケーション(<特集>サイエンス・コミュニケーション)

抄録

A Japanese boom of science communication beginning in 2005 shares some characteristics with advanced countries. This paper explores the background of a sudden boom of science communication in Japan into the struggle, common to advanced countries, for redefining the roll of technoscience in society. Firstly, it is shown that there are two kinds of motivations which triggered the boom of science communication. The first one is an erosion of public trust in experts of technoscience in the 90s. The second one is the changing role of technoscience from a symbol of national prestige to a tool of economic growth. Then, the characteristics and challenges for Japanese science communication activities are discussed.