The general meeting of the Science Council of Japan was held, and government officials set up a third-party committee to provide opinions on the selection of members, etc., in order to increase the transparency of the organization. explained.
The Science Council of Japan held a general meeting on the 21st, and the person in charge of the Cabinet Office, which has jurisdiction over the Science Council, explained the outline of the revision of related laws aimed at submitting to the ordinary session of the Diet next year in order to review the organization of the Science Council. .
As a result, in order to increase the transparency of the organization, it is necessary to ensure sufficient communication with the government and industry in the execution of duties, to establish a third-party committee to provide opinions on the selection of members, etc. We are planning to introduce a mechanism in which a third party recommends candidates in the selection process.
In addition, after the revision bill comes into effect, it will verify the progress of the reform at the milestone of 3 years and 6 years, and if necessary, it will be reconsidered, including making it an independent organization from the government.
In response, the Science Council compiled a statement asking the government to reconsider, and the involvement of the third-party committee in member selection led to legitimization of Prime Minister Kan's failure to appoint six member candidates. He pointed out that "there are doubts even in light of the independence of the Science Council," saying that it could be possible.
At a press conference after the general assembly, Takaaki Kajita, chairman of the Science Council of Japan, said, ``The government's revision proposal presented this time could change the character of the Science Council, which has a history of more than 70 years,'' and expressed strong concerns. .