Outline of the Establishment of a New System of Science and Technology

In May 1941 , the second Konoe Fumimaro Cabinet decided on this policy with the aim of establishing a new system for science and technology in Japan, which was becoming increasingly wartime. The purpose was to establish a national total war system for science and technology, which was the foundation for the completion of an advanced defense nation, to promote groundbreaking science and rapid development of technology, and to foster a scientific spirit among the people, which was the foundation of this, and thus to complete the Japanese character of science and technology based on the resources of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. The background to this was the wartime total mobilization system, and in that respect this new system collapsed with the defeat in 1945. However, some people point out the similarities between the current Basic Law on Science and Technology and the Basic Plan on Science and Technology, as the term "Science and Technology (Japan)" began to be used around this time and is still used today in various policy documents, and there are some opinions that point out similarities with the system of promoting government-led science and technology policies, such as promoting research activities, increasing research funds, and systematically implementing researcher training.
Author: Shinichi Yamamoto

Source : Heibonsha "University Encyclopedia" About the University Encyclopedia Information

1941年（昭和16）5月，戦時色を強める当時の日本において，科学技術に係る新体制確立を目指し，第2次近衛文麿内閣で閣議決定された政策。目的は，高度国防国家完成の根幹である科学技術の国家総力戦体制を確立し，科学の画期的振興と技術の飛躍的発達を図るとともに，その基礎である国民の科学精神を作興し，もって大東亜共栄圏資源に基づく科学技術の日本的性格の完成を期したものとされる。背景には戦時総動員体制が色濃く，その面においてこの新体制は1945年の敗戦によって崩壊した。ただ，この頃から「科学技術（日本）」なる用語が使われ始め，現在もこの用語はさまざまな政策文書で使われていること，研究活動の振興，研究費の充実，研究者養成の計画的実施など，政府主導による科学技術政策の推進という体制に通じるものもあるとして，現在の科学技術基本法や科学技術基本計画との類似性を指摘する意見もある。
著者: 山本眞一

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