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Prime Minister Stresses Importance of Young Researcher Cultivation to Revive Japan as S&T Leader
In his policy speech on January 18, Japan’s Prime Minister raised concern over the continued stagnation of research power for nearly 20 years and committed the country to improve the situation of young researchers. For Japan as a leading nation in science and technology, the continued stagnation of research power “is a grave situation” Yoshihide Suga told the Diet, and vowed to ”expand the support for doctoral students”. The Prime Minister went on to mention the country’s plans for a 10 trillion-yen university fund to create a platform for the cultivation of young talents and to encourage autonomous university management. Moreover, the government’s R&D funding will be increased to 30 trillion yen and the total amount of public and private R&D expenditures to 120 trillion yen over the next five years, he added. Accordingly, the investment to foster young researchers was highlighted in the latest draft of the 6th Science and Technology Basic Plan for the fiscal year 2021-2025, that was announced on January 19.
Japan eyes 'energy forests' for biomass power generation
As part of efforts to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the Japanese government is considering securing “energy forests” for the specific purpose of growing sources for woody biomass power generation, officials have said.
Call for Proposals: RIKEN Center for Computational Science

The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), in coordination with the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), is currently accepting proposals aimed at combating COVID-19 by providing its new supercomputer Fugaku for selected research projects.

Fugaku is planned to start full operations in 2021. In light of the current pandemic, RIKEN decided that parts of the supercomputer can already be used ahead of the original installation schedule.

RIKEN appoints Dr. Yuko Harayama new Executive Director

Dr. Yuko Harayama, a longtime friend of Switzerland, was appointed Executive Director for international affairs at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research Institute RIKEN, Japan's largest national research organization, on April 1, 2020. She has been serving on various Japanese and international commissions related to science, technology and innovation and possesses an extensive international network.

AIST, AMED, MOFA: New faces in Japan’s Science and Technology Institutions

Several changes in management of Japanese bodies related to science, technology and innovation were announced along with the new fiscal year starting from April 1, 2020. The new appointments include that of the head of the public research institution for applied research and the funding agency for R&D in the field of medicine, as well as the advisor to the Japanese government.

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