Abstract
Aim. What factors contribute to the under internationalization of the Japanese domestic research environment ? Introduction. Among industrialized countries Japanese university environments are conspicuous by the lack of foreign scientists. This is well recognized by the Japanese government (http://job.yomiuri.co.jp/news/jo_ne_05041103.cfm). In excess of 98,000 full-time Professors and Assistant Professors are employed at Japanese universities (http://www.mext.go.jp/english/statist/index11.htm). In 2004 JSPS offered 80 long-term fellowships for senior foreign scientists to work in Japan. In 2005 this number was reduced to 70. Results. Table comparing employment conditions for senior Japanese and foreign scientists. Japanese. Foreigner. Length of contract 5-10 yrs. 10 months. Renewal upon suitable performance. No. Promotion upon suitable performance. No. Title Assistant, Associate, Professor. Guest scientist. Salary 45-60 man yen/month. 45 man yen/month. Research Funding university dependent. 200 yen/day. After expiry of JSPS funding, inequality of zaibatsu funding oportunities, a miniscule market for English language science lecturers and discriminatory government pension policy combine to force foreign scientists out of the Japanese research community. Conclusion. As the Japanese scientific population ages and young scientists seek lucrative employment in America, JSPS policy ensures that the domestic Japanese research environment is under internationalized. [J Physiol Sci. 2007;57 Suppl:S242]
