Abstract

　　The Japanese government formulates the Science and Technology Basic Plan every five years based on the Science and Technology Basic Law, and indicates the future direction of Japan's science and technology. This paper describes its history, significance, and decision process of this Science and Technology Basic Plan. Then this paper describes the characteristics of the previous five plans, contributions to Japanese science and technological activities, and its challenges for the future.

　　In the formulation of the Science and Technology Basic Plan, the role of the Council for Science and Technology Policy has been significant. However, after establishing Shinzo Abe administration, the inclination to global innovation has been emphasized in Japan as well, the Council for Science and Technology Policy was renamed the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, and the midterm and annual strategies centered on innovation have also been prepared. This paper described these movements.

　　Japan suffers from population decline and the increase in governmental deficits, and there is also a tendency towards weakness in science and technology innovation. To formulate more suitable science and technology basic plans will revitalize and strengthen Japan's science and technology innovation.