A trial of target systematization for science and technology (S&T) policy

In Japan the S&T basic law was enacted in 1995, and two S&T basic plans based on the law have already been in operation. These basic plans have become gradually improved. However, it seems to be insufficient yet from the viewpoint of target systematization. There is a fact behind this that methodologies by which we can form scientifically S&T policy in order to prove it possible. The participants in the experiment were members of the Committee on Technology Policy (CTP) of the Engineering Academy of Japan (EAJ), and the number of regular participants was nearly 10. The period of the experiment was about two and a half years. The period of the experiment was about two and a half years, from the mid-year of 1997 to the beginning of 1999. The method mainly used was discussion, but frequently we adopted several so-called soft technologies, such as IMS (Interpretative Structural Modeling), pair comparison, cluster analysis and so on. Finally, we obtained a system of S&T policy targets. The system obtained is composed of five layers, namely, major targets, medium targets, minor targets, examples of measures and sets of science, engineering, and technology (SETs) that contribute to measures. The system has also the following four major targets; (1) to maintain affluent and pleasant living of the public and further improve it, (2) to insure for the stabile existence and security of the country, (3) to contribute to solving the global environmental problems, (4) to contribute to the accumulation of intellectual assets of the human beings.