Science Council of Japan 3 Professors Sending Off Appointment Criticism of Prime Minister Suga's Response at Opposition Meeting October 2, 12:28

The opposition party held a meeting after Prime Minister Suga postponed the appointment of some of the new member candidates for the Science Council of Japan.

The meeting was attended by three university professors who had not been appointed, and there were a series of opinions criticizing Prime Minister Suga's response.

Professor Masanori Okada of Waseda University, who was not appointed this time, attended the meeting, and Professor Takaaki Matsumiya of Ritsumeikan University and Professor Ryuichi Ozawa of Jikei University School of Medicine participated online.



Of these, Professor Okada said, "In the Diet deliberations so far, it was said that the Prime Minister should not influence the recommendation and should not do it, but this time it was trampled and it will be used in future Japanese studies. If the Cabinet hears only the recommendations that they can say yes, it will leave a big stigma in Japan in the future. Please explain the reason to the Prime Minister. "



Professor Matsumiya said, "If you refuse a recommendation, you need to give a clear reason, but this time there is no reason. Refusal without a reason is illegal under the current law. The mechanism of the Science Council of Japan Law is institutionally Article 23 of the Constitution. It backs up academic freedom and, by extension, raises constitutional doubts. "



Professor Ozawa said, "It is a major violation of academic freedom. The government should not examine the contents of academic and research activities and exercise the right to appoint members, which threatens the relationship between politics and academics. ".