Japan sets sights on success in nanotechnology

摘要

As the United States launches its drive to capitalize on nanotechnology's potential, Japan is also gearing up for expansion in the field. Extra money has been earmarked for a host of new multidiscipli-nary programmes, centres and institutes for nanoscience. All of which is good news for researchers looking for work in the country. But with expansion comes the possibility of organizational disarray. Some researchers describe Japan's current nanoscience programmes as chaotic. So the multitude of new programmes and institutes threatens to add to the madness as well as to the opportunity. By the end of the year, a high-level committee under the Council for Science and Technology will set out proposals covering how the various programmes should be coordinated.