March 28, 2028

Akahata editorial (excerpts)

The Takaichi Cabinet on March 27 approved the 7th Science, Technology, and Innovation Basic Plan.

Since 1995, the government has formulated a basic plan every five years in accordance with the Basic Act on Science and Technology. However, under this framework, Japan’s research capabilities have continued to decline.

One factor behind this decline is that research and development funding for universities and other research institutions has remained virtually unchanged since the 2000s. Yet the government, which has been cutting university budgets, does not accept responsibility for this.

The government should make a policy shift and substantially increase university budgets in order to put a stop to the decline in Japan’s research capabilities.

Under the Takaichi government with its policy of turning Japan into a war-capable state, the 7th Basic Plan regards the field of science and technology as an indispensable foundation for achieving national security objectives.

The purpose of the Basic Act on Science and Technology is “to improve scientific and technological standards and promote the creation of innovation in Japan” (Article 1). It does not include the objective of “science and technology for national security”. Many university faculty members are criticizing the phrase “for national security” for deviating from the Basic Act.

The 7th Basic Plan aims to establish a military-industrial-government-academia complex centered on the National Security Secretariat, involving government ministries and agencies, the arms industry, private corporations, universities, and national R&D institutes.

The Takaichi government is taking a submissive attitude toward U.S. President Trump, who disregards the “rule of law”, and is promoting the attempt to build a Japan capable of fighting U.S.-led wars abroad. The government also intends to lift the ban on Japan’s weapons exports.

Given these circumstances, participating in the military-industrial-government-academic complex would mean cooperating with the “rule by force” order and siding with those who are destroying the international peace order. Universities and national R&D institutes should not join in such a complex. Furthermore, the government should withdraw the 7th Basic Plan as it deviates from the Basic Act on Science and Technology and leads to the further utilization of research institutions for military purposes.