Japan Science and Technology Agency

Abstract

Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) was established in 1996 with the aim to promote and implement various science and technology initiatives stated in the “Science and Technology Basic Law”, which is the basis of science and technology policy in Japan, enacted in 1995. JST is one of several R&D agencies under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and leads Japan’s science and technology development, working to improve the lives of people and achieve a sustainable society by promoting science and technology for the purpose of fostering new opportunities in innovation. JST also aims to develop a sound infrastructure for innovation and challenge science-related issues in Japan. JST supports strategy-driven R&D based on so-called network-based laboratories, connecting resources and stakeholders such as academia and industry, with different fields and societal and global actors through our funding programmes to create new innovative values. JST also advances science communication and develops high school students’ human resources in S&T to support science education.