Science Council of Japan Proposal from a standpoint independent of the government Conflict also October 8 12:50

The Science Council of Japan, also known as the "National Diet of Scholars," has made proposals on various issues in society from the standpoint of an expert independent of the government.



In 1954, the competition for the development of nuclear weapons between the United States and the Soviet Union accelerated, and the crew of the Daigo Fukuryu Maru was exposed to the US hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Regarding the research and use of nuclear energy, we have issued a statement of the so-called "three principles of nuclear energy" that the three principles of "democratic, voluntary, and public" should be fully adhered to for peaceful purposes.



The recommendations of the Science Council of Japan have had a certain influence on government policy, such as the fact that this principle was incorporated into the "Atomic Energy Basic Law" enacted the following year.



The Science Council of Japan's recommendations are not binding on the government, but there have been some conflicts with the policies of the ruling party over the content of the recommendations.



The Science Council of Japan issued a statement in 1967 stating that it would not conduct scientific research for military purposes, reflecting on the cooperation of scientists in the previous war, and in 2017, half a century after this statement. , Made a new statement on how to engage in military security technology research.



This was compiled in response to the Ministry of Defense starting a system to provide research funds to universities, etc. "Public recruitment and examination are conducted with the clear purpose of connecting to future equipment development, and the government Intervention in research is remarkable and there are many problems. ”He pointed out that the appropriateness of research that may be regarded as military security technical research for each university is technically and ethically. We are requesting a cautious response, such as establishing a system for examination.



Before this statement was finalized, then Secretary of State Suga acknowledged that the system initiated by the Ministry of Defense was voluntary for researchers and was not a concern.



On the other hand, the Science Council of Japan may make policy recommendations as requested by the government.



In 2012, the Atomic Energy Commission of Japan asked for an opinion on the disposal of high-level radioactive waste, so-called "nuclear waste," generated by nuclear power generation, and said, "The national plan is stuck and we are prepared to return to a blank slate. We have put together a proposal that says, "It should be reviewed."



In addition, the Science Council of Japan makes proposals in a wide range of fields according to the times.



Three years ago, there was a proposal that the government should make guidelines and regulate the modification of genes in human fertilized eggs with "genome editing" technology that can freely rewrite genes, and LGBT. He points out the delay in efforts to protect the rights of people with sexual minorities called, and makes recommendations to allow homosexual marriage and to amend the law.



However, it has been pointed out that many of the proposals have not been fully utilized in national policies, etc., and the Science Council of Japan has been making proposals by listening to opinions from non-researchers such as ministries and the business community for three years. , It means that we are proceeding with efforts to increase proposals that are more concretely utilized in policies.