Announcement of the Joint Meeting of the Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Division and the Research Strategy and Evaluation Division [November 5 / Hybrid Format]

Date of update: October 8, 2026

Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Division (formerly the Science and Technology Policy Division)

Chair: Ryo Hirasawa (Institute for Future Technology)
Secretary: Tomohiro Ijichi (Seijo University)
Secretary: Hiroyuki Tomizawa (National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, MEXT)

Notice of the Upcoming Regular Meeting

Jointly organized by the Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Division and the Research Strategy and Evaluation Division
Review Series on Sovereign AI (Part 3)

  1. Date and Time: Thursday, November 5, 2026, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), 4th Floor, Meeting Room B / Hybrid with Zoom
  3. Topic: Conception and Implementation of Sovereign AI in the EU: Foundations and Strategic Autonomy Supporting Science, Industry, and Policymaking
  4. Speaker: Takaki Noro (Institute for Future Technology)

* Advance registration is mandatory for admission to the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS).
* Access details for online participation via Zoom will be provided by email at a later date.

To participate, please submit the registration form below.
Registration Deadline: Monday, November 2 (Strict deadline)

Registration Form

Past Meetings

Review Series on Sovereign AI (Part 2) (Jointly organized with the Research Strategy and Evaluation Division)
  1. Date and Time: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), 4th Floor, Lecture Room B / Hybrid with Zoom
  3. Topic: Overview of Sovereign AI Formulating Countries and the US "Genesis Mission"
  4. Speaker: Nobuo Yazawa (Institute for Future Technology)
Review Series on Sovereign AI (Part 1) (Jointly organized with the Research Strategy and Evaluation Division)
  1. Date and Time: Friday, August 7, 2026, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), 4th Floor, Lecture Room B / Hybrid with Zoom
  3. Topic: A New Paradigm for "Sovereign AI" Grounded in Epistemology and the Philosophy of Science: The Evolution from Applied Intelligence to Intellectual Understanding
  4. Speaker: Ryo Hirasawa (President, Institute for Future Technology / Chair, Science and Technology Policy Division)
"Review of Japan's Fundamental Challenges in STI Policy" Series (Part 13, Final Session) (Jointly organized with the Research Strategy and Evaluation Division)
  1. Date and Time: Thursday, April 24, 2025, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Seminar Room 4B / Hybrid with Zoom
  3. Topic: Comprehensive Synthesis for the Final Report (3): Approaches to Realization and Implementation
  4. Speakers: Ryo Hirasawa (President, Institute for Future Technology / Chair, Science and Technology Policy Division) and others
"Review of Japan's Fundamental Challenges in STI Policy" Series (Part 12) (Jointly organized with the Research Strategy and Evaluation Division)
  1. Date and Time: Monday, January 27, 2025, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Meeting Room 4B / Hybrid with Zoom
  3. Topic: Comprehensive Synthesis for the Final Report (2)
  4. Speakers: Ryo Hirasawa (President, Institute for Future Technology / Chair, Science and Technology Policy Division) and others
"Review of Japan's Fundamental Challenges in STI Policy" Series (Part 11) (Jointly organized with the Research Strategy and Evaluation Division)
  1. Date and Time: Monday, December 9, 2024, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), 5th Floor, Lecture Room B / Hybrid with Zoom
  3. Topic: Synthesis and Comprehensive Review of the Entire Series Featuring Dr. Masuo Aizawa (1)
  4. Speakers: Dr. Masuo Aizawa (President, Japan Science and Technology Exchange Center) and others
"Review of Japan's Fundamental Challenges in STI Policy" Series (Part 10) (Jointly organized with the Research Strategy and Evaluation Division)
  1. Date and Time: Thursday, October 31, 2024, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), 4th Floor, Meeting Room 4B / Hybrid with Zoom
  3. Topic: Review of the State of Database Infrastructure for Domestic and International Policymaking, Implementation, and Evaluation
  4. Speakers: Ryo Hirasawa (President, Institute for Future Technology / Chair, Science and Technology Policy Division) and others
"Review of Japan's Fundamental Challenges in STI Policy" Series (Part 9) (Jointly organized with the Research Strategy and Evaluation Division)
  1. Date and Time: Friday, September 27, 2024, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), 4th Floor, Meeting Room 4A / Hybrid with Zoom
  3. Topic: Institutional Development and Organizational Structure for STI Policymaking, Implementation, and Evaluation: Addressing Advanced Competencies for Policy Administration
  4. Speakers: Ryo Hirasawa (President, Institute for Future Technology / Chair, Science and Technology Policy Division) and others
"Review of Japan's Fundamental Challenges in STI Policy" Series (Part 8) (Jointly organized with the Research Strategy and Evaluation Division)
  1. Date and Time: Friday, August 30, 2024, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Lecture Room B / Hybrid with Zoom
  3. Topic: Institutional Development and Organizational Structure for STI Policymaking, Implementation, and Evaluation: Addressing Advanced Competencies for Policy Administration
  4. Speakers: Ryo Hirasawa (President, Institute for Future Technology / Chair, Science and Technology Policy Division) and others
"Review of Japan's Fundamental Challenges in STI Policy" Series (Part 7) (Jointly organized with the Research Strategy and Evaluation Division)
  1. Date and Time: Thursday, July 25, 2024, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: Seminar Room 4B, 4th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) / Hybrid via Zoom
  3. Topic: Institutional Development and Organizational Structure for STI Policymaking, Implementation, and Evaluation: Addressing Advanced Competencies for Policy Administration
  4. Speakers: Ryo Hirasawa (President, Institute for Future Technology / Chair, Science and Technology Policy Division) and others
◆ STI Policy: "Review of Fundamental Issues in Japan" Series (Part 6) ◆ (Co-hosted with the Special Interest Group on Research Strategy and Evaluation)
  1. Date & Time: Thursday, June 27, 2024, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: Seminar Room 4B, 4th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) / Hybrid via Zoom
  3. Topic: The Drastically Altered Position of the Council for Science and Technology Policy: Measures to Duly Restore Its "Comprehensive Coordination" Function
  4. Speakers: Ryo Hirasawa (President, Institute for Future Technology / Chair, Science and Technology Policy Division) and others
◆ STI Policy: "Review of Fundamental Issues in Japan" Series (Part 5) ◆ (Co-hosted with the Special Interest Group on Research Strategy and Evaluation)
  1. Date & Time: Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: Lecture Room B, 5th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) / Hybrid via Zoom
  3. Topic: The Drastically Altered Position of the Council for Science and Technology Policy: Measures to Duly Restore Its "Comprehensive Coordination" Function
  4. Speakers: Ryo Hirasawa (President, Institute for Future Technology / Chair, Science and Technology Policy Division) and others
◆ STI Policy: "Review of Fundamental Issues in Japan" Series (Part 4) ◆ (Co-hosted with the Special Interest Group on Research Strategy and Evaluation)
  1. Date & Time: Thursday, April 25, 2024, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: Meeting Room 4A, 4th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) / Hybrid via Zoom
  3. Topic: The Evolution of the Comprehensive Coordination System in Japan and Deepened Recognition of Current Trends in Major Foreign Nations: How "Think Tank Functions" and Supporting Specialized Personnel Have Been Cultivated Domestically and Internationally
  4. Speakers: Ryo Hirasawa (President, Institute for Future Technology / Chair, Science and Technology Policy Division) and others
◆ STI Policy: "Review of Fundamental Issues in Japan" Series (Part 3) ◆ (Co-hosted with the Special Interest Group on Research Strategy and Evaluation)
  1. Date & Time: Friday, March 29, 2024, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: Lecture Room G, 5th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) / Hybrid via Zoom
  3. Topic: The Drastically Altered Position of the Council for Science and Technology Policy: Measures to Duly Restore Its "Comprehensive Coordination" Function
  4. Speakers: Ryo Hirasawa (President, Institute for Future Technology / Chair, Science and Technology Policy Division) and others
◆ STI Policy: "Review of Fundamental Issues in Japan" Series (Part 2) ◆ (Co-hosted with the Special Interest Group on Research Strategy and Evaluation)
  1. Date & Time: Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: Lecture Room H, 5th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) / Hybrid via Zoom
  3. Topic: - Select Methodologies for "Policy Conception": Speaker: Hirasawa
    - Speaker Hirasawa's Concept: "Policy Conception for Overcoming the Current State"
    - Proposals from Attendees: "Policy Conception for Overcoming the Current State"
  4. Speaker: Ryo Hirasawa (President, Institute for Future Technology / Chair, Science and Technology Policy Division)
◆ STI Policy: "Review of Fundamental Issues in Japan" Series (Part 1) ◆ (Co-hosted with the Special Interest Group on Research Strategy and Evaluation)
  1. Date & Time: Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 18:30–21:00
  2. Venue: Lecture Room M, 4th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) / Hybrid via Zoom
  3. Topic: Historical Transition of the Science and Technology Basic Plan and Future Challenges
  4. Speaker: Ryo Hirasawa (President, Institute for Future Technology / Chair, Science and Technology Policy Division)
◆ 48th Meeting ◆ (Co-hosted with NISTEP / Working Group on Evidence-Based Science and Technology Basic Plan)
  1. Date & Time: Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 18:30–20:00
  2. Venue: Conference Room, National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP), 16th Floor, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
  3. Topic: The Realities of the Four-Decade Stagnation in "Research Quality" and Policy Concepts for Overcoming It
  4. Speaker: Koichi Morimoto (Former Director General for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Cabinet Office; Special Adviser, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology [JAMSTEC])
◆ 47th Meeting ◆ (Co-hosted with NISTEP / Working Group on Evidence-Based Science and Technology Basic Plan)
  1. Date & Time: Monday, March 18, 2019, 18:30–20:30
  2. Venue: Conference Room, National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP), 16th Floor, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
  3. Topic: Review of the Formulation of the 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan and Challenges for the Next Cycle
  4. Speaker: Yuko Harayama (Former Executive Member, Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, Cabinet Office; Professor Emeritus, Tohoku University)
◆ 46th Meeting ◆ (Co-hosted with the Special Interest Group on Research Strategy and Evaluation)
  1. Date & Time: Thursday, January 18, 2018 / Monday, March 18, 2019, 18:30–20:30
  2. Venue: Meeting Room 1012, National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation (NIAD-UE)
  3. Topic: The Mission of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
  4. Speaker: Yutaka Hishiyama (Executive Director, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development [AMED])
◆ 45th Meeting ◆
  1. Date & Time: Wednesday, August 2, 2017, 18:30–
  2. Venue: Seminar Room 4A, 4th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
  3. Topic: On the Emergency Recommendation by the Engineering Academy of Japan: "Arresting the Decline of Engineering and Scientific/Technological Capabilities in Our Nation"
  4. Speaker: Hiroshi Nagano (Executive Director, The Engineering Academy of Japan / Former President of the Society)

Event Proceedings [PDF]

◆ 44th Meeting ◆ (Co-hosted with the Study Group on "Science of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy")
  1. Date & Time: Friday, April 22, 2016, 18:00–20:00
  2. Venue: Lecture Room K, 5th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
  3. Topic: "Science Studies" of Scientometrics: An Examination of the Logic Generating Policy-Informing Metrics
  4. Speaker: Masashi Shirabe (Institute for Liberal Arts, Tokyo Institute of Technology)
◆ 43rd Meeting ◆ (Co-hosted with the Study Group on "Science of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy")
  1. Date & Time: Thursday, January 14, 2016, 18:30–
  2. Venue: Room 4A, Seminar Room, 4th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
  3. Topic: R&D and Innovation Activities in Private Enterprises and Governmental Science and Technology Policy
  4. Speaker: Hiroyuki Tomizawa (National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, MEXT)
◆ 43rd Meeting ◆ (Co-hosted with the Study Group on "Science of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy")
  1. Date & Time: Thursday, January 14, 2016, 18:30–
  2. Venue: Room 4A, Seminar Room, 4th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
  3. Topic: R&D and Innovation Activities in Private Enterprises and Governmental Science and Technology Policy
  4. Speaker: Hiroyuki Tomizawa (National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, MEXT)
◆ Session 42 ◆ (Co-hosted with the Research Evaluation Sub-committee and the Study Group on "Science of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy")
  1. Date & Time: Friday, April 10, 2015, approximately 3 hours from 18:00
  2. Venue: Conference Room 1112, National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation (NIAD-UE)
  3. Topic: Follow-up Survey on the 4th Science and Technology Basic Plan: Focusing on the Analysis of "Fundamental and Foundational Capabilities to Nurture the Seeds of Innovation"
◆ Session 41 ◆
  1. Date & Time: Friday, March 6, 2015, approximately 3 hours from 18:00
  2. Venue: Room 4A, Seminar Room, 4th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
  3. Topic: On the Future Direction of the 5th Basic Plan (Part 4)
◆ Session 40 ◆
  1. Date & Time: Friday, September 26, 2014, approximately 3 hours from 18:00
  2. Venue: Room 4B, Seminar Room, 4th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
  3. Topic: On the Future Direction of the 5th Basic Plan (Part 3)
◆ Session 39 ◆
  1. Date & Time: Friday, May 30, 2014, approximately 3 hours from 18:00
  2. Venue: Conference Room 1A, 1st Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
  3. Topic: On the Future Direction of the 5th Basic Plan (Part 2)
◆ Session 38 ◆
  1. Date & Time: Thursday, December 26, 2013, approximately 3 hours from 18:00
  2. Venue: Room 4B, Seminar Room, 4th Floor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
  3. Topic: On the Future Direction of the 5th Basic Plan (Part 1)
◆ Session 37 ◆ (Joint Meeting with the "Science and Technology Risk Sub-committee" of the Japan Society for Crisis Management Systems)
  1. Date & Time: Friday, November 22, 2013, from 18:30
  2. Venue: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
  3. Lecture: Hideaki Miyata (Management for Science and Technology, former Professor at the University of Tokyo)
◆ Session 36 ◆ (Joint Meeting with the "Science and Technology Risk Sub-committee" of the Japan Society for Crisis Management Systems)
  1. Date & Time: Monday, July 29, 2013, from 18:30
  2. Venue: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
  3. Lecturers: Junichi Murata (Professor, Rissho University), Tatsuhiro Kamisato (Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Osaka University)
  4. Content: Reflecting on the Characteristics of Science, Technology, and "Science and Technology"
◆ Session 35 ◆
  1. Date & Time: Friday, October 19, 2012, 18:00–21:00
  2. Venue: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
  3. Lecture: Masuo Aizawa (Executive Member, Council for Science and Technology Policy)
  4. Content: "Governance Architecture for Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy in Japan" Study Group Series, Part 4

Article Categories: Announcements, Special Interest Groups