Abstract
My early experiences raising and observing Old World swallowtail caterpillars captivated me with the wonders of nature, eventually leading me to devote myself to the molecular biology of living organisms. That is, the motivation for research stems generally from a spirit of inquiry that has historically been nurtured by stable, prosperous societies. Since 2004, Japan has increasingly reorganized its national and public universities and research institutions into independent administrative agencies. In tandem with this trend, Japan’s research capabilities have fallen to 13th place globally. Furthermore, research misconduct has increased. In short, competition and an obsession with efficiency do not foster research. I propose government-led reforms.