Activities without Institutionalization

Limits and Lessons of TA (Technology assessment) and TA-like Activities in Japan

Abstract

Even though the TA has not been institutionalized in Japan, there have been many TA and TA-like activities, in areas including food, healthcare, energy and technology strategy, since the idea of TA was introduced from the US. This paper analyzes the nature and limits of those TA and TA-like activities; and lessons for the institutionalization of TA in the context of Japan are discussed, including the need for flexible framing and collaboration, the importance of appropriate distance, and the role of the Diet.