November 25, 2009

Nine presidents of Japan’s leading universities, including the University of Tokyo, on November 24 published a statement expressing objection to the ongoing government effort to drastically cut budgets in the field of science and technology.

Pointing out that budgets for universities in Japan stand at the lowest level among member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the statement expresses concern that further cuts in the budget “will lead to a collapse of the foundation of science-technology-oriented research in Japan and to a decline in Japanese academic culture.”

Those who voiced objections are presidents of Hokkaido, Tohoku, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kyushu, Waseda, and Keio universities.

They demanded that the government increase public investment in the field, respect freewheeling thinking of young researchers, improve the infrastructure of universities, support young researchers, and include the academic world in the decision-making process affecting education.

At a news conference held in Tokyo on the same day, Keio University President Seike Atsushi said, “Now that sustainability in human society is facing crises like climate change and the decline in birthrates, we must contribute not only to Japan’s development but also to that of the world. Long-term basic scientific research is extremely important.”
- Akahata, November 25, 2009