Japan science council reforms threaten autonomy, say members

Proposed?changes to 바카라사이트 Science Council of Japan (SCJ) could ¡°undermine¡± 바카라사이트 independence of 바카라사이트 policy body, its members have warned.

Earlier this month 바카라사이트 Liberal Democratic Party-led government adopted a bill that would incorporate 바카라사이트 organisation, ending its current position as a ¡°special organisation¡± of 바카라사이트 state and severing direct ties with 바카라사이트 government.?

At 바카라사이트 same time, aspects of 바카라사이트 bill would increase government oversight, including appointing auditors to review 바카라사이트 council¡¯s activities and finances, sparking concerns about political interference.?

The council, which was established in 1949 to give advice and recommendations to policymakers, would continue to be funded by 바카라사이트 government, which currently provides about ?1 billion (?5.2 million) a year to support its operating costs.

Although it is currently under 바카라사이트 jurisdiction of 바카라사이트 prime minister, 바카라사이트 body¡¯s independence has been enshrined in law since its creation.??

¡°This shift means that to secure its budget, 바카라사이트 SCJ may need to pay even closer attention to government decisions, which could paradoxically undermine its independence,¡± said Akira Mori, a professor at 바카라사이트 University of Tokyo¡¯s Research Centre for Advanced Science and Technology and a member of 바카라사이트 council.

The SCJ has previously clashed with leaders on topics including military research and national security. The council has repeatedly opposed scientific research for military purposes and decried government intervention in such research, while??바카라사이트 council should be supportive of Japan¡¯s national security efforts.?

Tensions between 바카라사이트 government and council escalated in 2020, when 바카라사이트 prime minister and leader of 바카라사이트 Liberal Democratic Party at 바카라사이트 time, Yoshihide Suga, rejected six proposed appointments to 바카라사이트 council¡¯s membership ¨C normally a rubber-stamp exercise ¨C without explanation, provoking a?backlash.??

In 2023, 바카라사이트 government revoked??selection processes after opposition from 바카라사이트 council.?

For some, 바카라사이트 new bill was seen as 바카라사이트 latest in a series of political attacks on 바카라사이트 council.

¡°The proposed amendment undermines 바카라사이트 independence and autonomy of 바카라사이트 SCJ as a national academy,¡± said Aya Yoshida, a professor at Waseda University and a member of 바카라사이트 SCJ.?

¡°The SCJ would be required to follow 바카라사이트 directives of advisory and evaluation committees, whose members are appointed by 바카라사이트 prime minister, and it would no longer be able to select its members through co-option among existing members.¡±?

This, she said, raised ¡°serious concerns¡± that it would become ¡°an organisation unable to engage in free discussions based on academic expertise¡±.

In a statement in response to 바카라사이트 bill, Mamoru Mitsuishi, president of 바카라사이트 council, said: ¡°It is regrettable that 바카라사이트 Cabinet decision on 바카라사이트 bill was made while 바카라사이트 concerns that 바카라사이트 SCJ has raised from 바카라사이트 standpoint of autonomy and independence have not been alleviated.

¡°In order for 바카라사이트 SCJ to respond to this entrustment as a national academy and to play its role as 바카라사이트 representative organisation of scientists to promote welfare and develop society in Japan, it must first ensure 바카라사이트 autonomy and independence of its activities.¡±

Mitsuishi said 바카라사이트 council would re-examine 바카라사이트 bill and hoped 바카라사이트 Cabinet Office would ¡°clarify its position¡± based on 바카라사이트 council¡¯s concerns.

helen.packer@ws-2000.com