June 17, 2025
Six former presidents of the Science Council of Japan on June 16 issued a statement deploring the enactment of a law that converts the SCJ from a state organization to a special governmental corporation and called on Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru to ensure academic freedom and champion the independence and autonomy of the council even under the new law.
The six ex-SCJ heads who signed the statement are Hirowatari Seigo, Yoshikawa Hiroyuki, Kurokawa Kiyoshi, Onisi Takashi, Yamagiwa Juichi, and Kajita Takaaki.
The new law incorporates various mechanisms aimed at placing the representative organization of Japanese scholars and scientists under government control. For example, prime minister-appointed auditors and evaluators will monitor the SCJ’s activities. At the time of the conversion of the SCJ in October 2026, the selection of new members will be made by a committee whose members will come from consultations between the SCJ president and prime minister-designated academics.
The ex-SCJ presidents’ statement stresses that the current organization should hold thorough discussions to establish concrete measures to put the new law into practice. It states that the prime minister should consult with the council in regard to the exercise of his/her authority stipulated in the new law. It also demands that members of the selection committee be chosen from the current SCJ members.
At a press conference held at the Japan National Press Club to release the statement, Yamagiwa pointed out the possibility that under the new law, the selection committee may choose only those candidates who comply with prime minister’s wishes and unjustly reject undesirable candidates for SCJ membership without giving any reason. Hirowatari said that council members selected in association with the conversion should be approved by the current SCJ at its general assembly.
Hirowatari noted that soon after the enactment of the new law, the Defense Ministry established the Defense Science and Technology Board (DSTB), a permanent advisory panel regarding cutting-edge military technology, adding, “I have serious misgivings regarding this development.”
He expressed his hope that the SCJ will make every possible effort to increase public support in order to maintain the SCJ’s fundamental principle which is to perform “independently” of the government based on remorse over its cooperation in Japan’s past war of aggression.
The six ex-SCJ heads who signed the statement are Hirowatari Seigo, Yoshikawa Hiroyuki, Kurokawa Kiyoshi, Onisi Takashi, Yamagiwa Juichi, and Kajita Takaaki.
The new law incorporates various mechanisms aimed at placing the representative organization of Japanese scholars and scientists under government control. For example, prime minister-appointed auditors and evaluators will monitor the SCJ’s activities. At the time of the conversion of the SCJ in October 2026, the selection of new members will be made by a committee whose members will come from consultations between the SCJ president and prime minister-designated academics.
The ex-SCJ presidents’ statement stresses that the current organization should hold thorough discussions to establish concrete measures to put the new law into practice. It states that the prime minister should consult with the council in regard to the exercise of his/her authority stipulated in the new law. It also demands that members of the selection committee be chosen from the current SCJ members.
At a press conference held at the Japan National Press Club to release the statement, Yamagiwa pointed out the possibility that under the new law, the selection committee may choose only those candidates who comply with prime minister’s wishes and unjustly reject undesirable candidates for SCJ membership without giving any reason. Hirowatari said that council members selected in association with the conversion should be approved by the current SCJ at its general assembly.
Hirowatari noted that soon after the enactment of the new law, the Defense Ministry established the Defense Science and Technology Board (DSTB), a permanent advisory panel regarding cutting-edge military technology, adding, “I have serious misgivings regarding this development.”
He expressed his hope that the SCJ will make every possible effort to increase public support in order to maintain the SCJ’s fundamental principle which is to perform “independently” of the government based on remorse over its cooperation in Japan’s past war of aggression.
