White Paper on Science and Technology, 2002. Toward the Creation of a Knowledge-Based Society and Economy for the New Era

摘要

The Second Science and Technology Basic Plan, which lays out the basic framework for Japan's science and technology policy, calls for a 'national capable of sustainable development.' For this purpose, it indicate the importance of creating intellectual vitality in order to maintain the vigor of Japan's economy in the international environment, attain sustainable development and improve the lives of the people. Japan's economy is today enmeshed in prolonged structural recession. Due to declining demand, economic recovery urgently requires the creation of new industries and markets. In this regard, Japan must demonstrate its originality and create high value-added products and services through sustainable innovation that is driven at its core by technology. Systems capable of effectively generating such innovation need to be developed and strengthened. This year's White Paper, entitled 'Toward the Creation of a Knowledge-Based Society and Economy for the New Era,' takes the position that effective generation of innovation, which constitutes the engine for economic growth, is needed to break out of Japan's social and economic stagnation. It introduces the role that innovation founded on advances in science and technology plays in social and economic growth, analyzes how innovation is being generated in Japan today, and calls for implementation of efforts to achieve innovation that are conceived from even broader perspectives, such as the examination of entire social systems.