Science and Technology Policy Japan

Vegetables, fish and other foods to which genome editing technology — which can modify genetic information with a high degree of precision — has been applied will be exempted from legal regulations if genes were not integrated into the food, a research panel of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry stated in a draft compiled on Wednesday.

Genetic editing in fertilized human eggs can be conducted for basic research purposes but births will be forbidden, the Japanese government said in draft guidelines issued Tuesday, hoping to avoid a repeat of last month's outcry after a Chinese scientist claimed to have produced genetically altered children.

A government panel on Thursday recommended the introduction of a variable work-hour system for public school teachers to tackle the problem of overwork.

The government has begun to consider introducing unmanned underwater vehicles capable of detecting submarines and other vessels with a view to beefing up warning and surveillance capabilities against subs dispatched by the Chinese military or by other countries to the East China Sea, where the Senkaku Islands of Okinawa Prefecture are located.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday pledged continued efforts for the reconstruction of Fukushima Prefecture, especially areas near the site of the 2011 nuclear accident.“The government will make utmost efforts until the day the reconstruction of Fukushima is achieved,” Abe told reporters. The government-set postdisaster reconstruction support period is set to end in spring 2021.

The United Nations warned Tuesday that current national commitments to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions are insufficient to meet a 2030 reduction goal, and that unprecedented and urgent action is required by all nations — especially from members of the Group of 20 — to ensure global warming stays well below 2.0 to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

A government panel of experts considering how to regulate major digital platform operators held a hearing on Wednesday in which U.S. digital giants gave their opinions on the panel’s interim report, which calls for stronger regulations.

The Yomiuri Shimbuncountering the dangers caused by global warming, including disasters and the impact on farm produce, among other problems.The adaptation plan — a revision of an earlier plan drawn up in 2015 — was compiled ahead of the December effectuation of the Climate Change Adaptation Law, which is aimed at creating a society that can keep up with the progression of global warming.

Japan will make companies responsible for explaining decisions made by artificial intelligence software they use, according to a government draft of legal guidelines shared with Nikkei.

The government has drawn up a planned outline of disaster reduction measures in response to several large natural disasters this year, including steps to prevent airports from being inundated.