While each country separately obtains, processes, and utilizes earth observation data, there is a pressing need for a common infrastructure to facilitate integrated use of these resources. At an intergovernmental meeting, an international agreement was reached to construct a common infrastructure for the global earth observation system. Several organizations have submitted components for this infrastructure. These submissions were fairly evaluated, and the most suitable components were recommended for inclusion into the infrastructure system, at the intergovernmental meeting. Recommendation of specific infrastructure components establishes de jure standards for the global earth observation system. Since Japan has not offered its own components, it has been able to take a neutral stance on formulating de jure standards. Consequently, the standards widely used as de facto in Japan have been selected as de jure standards. This experience could be a model case for the development of a strategy for international standardization activity.

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In this paper, we show the process of research and development of a combustion pressure sensor using an aluminum nitride (AlN) thin film, which we developed for the first time in the world. At the time we envisaged the R&D in 2003, most sensors used a piezoelectric single crystal. The research of a combustion pressure sensor using an AlN thin film was an unexplored field, and the usefulness of an AlN thin film was not yet well recognized. However, since we started the R&D, domestic and foreign auto parts companies and universities showed interest, and we carried out joint research with a domestic company and a university toward practical use of the sensor. Consequently, we have succeeded in developing a sensor of small size, high sensitivity, and without the need of cooling. We now conduct research to resolve the problems such as stabilization of sensor signals and simplification of the sensor structure for practical use.

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We have recently developed novel gel-forming materials based on organic electrolytes. The organic electrolytes can be prepared by a simple one-pot reaction applicable to large scale production. The materials show the following remarkable characteristics. (a) They can be used for gelation of not only water but also electrolyte solutions of polar organic solvents including ionic liquids. (b) Rapid self-healing of the formed gel is possible even after collapse by mechanical stress. (c) The formed gel can be used as an efficient dispersant for single-walled carbon nanotubes. The materials have been commercially distributed as chemical reagents for gelation.

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Every year, actions are taken to attract more visitors to sightseeing areas, yet the effects of these actions are rarely evaluated. Basic data for assessing effects can be obtained by measuring the change in visitation patterns upon the introduction of actions. We did not have the technology, however, to track the migration behavior quantitatively and successively with reasonable cost. To address this problem, we developed an Open Service Field Point of Service (OSF-POS) method that is practical and cost-effective. A case study of this method for the Kinosaki spa resort (Hyogo Prefecture, Japan), highlighting collaboration with local authorities, business circles, and engineering experts, is reported in this paper.

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We proposed a 10-year strategy for the development of a new scientific field, glycoscience. Initially, we developed basic technological tools to help scientists and engineers enter this field. As the first project, we exhaustively discovered glycogenes and carried out their functional analyses. The fruits of this work led to several follow-on projects: 1) technology for enzyme synthesis of glycans, 2) technology for structural analysis of glycans, and 3) analysis of biological functions of glycans. The basic tools, developed in the first 5 years of our 10-year strategy, were applied to the development of more useful products, e.g., development of disease biomarkers, particularly for cancer diagnosis. We are also close to achieving the practical use of a liver fibrosis marker and a cholangiocarcinoma marker for diagnosis. Moreover, we are pursuing development of biomarkers for diagnosis of other cancers. The successful research results for these 10 years have now been transferred to the world, in particular, Asian countries, and have resulted in collaborative research contracts with domestic and overseas research groups.

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[in Japanese]

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