Latest news with #MinoruKiuchi
Yomiuri Shimbun
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan to Lead Charge on International Rules for Space Debris Removal; U.K., N.Z., Developing Countries Eyed as Partners
Courtesy of Astroscale Holdings Inc. A satellite operated by Astroscale Holdings Inc. captures an image of space debris created by a rocket launch. GENEVA — With the aim of creating international rules for space debris removal, the government is set to form a group of like-minded countries to discuss related challenges. Japan aims to take the initiative in establishing the rules by leveraging its technological advantage in the field. Its goal is ensuring the security of outer space and expanding the space business market. Minoru Kiuchi, state minister for science and technology policy who is in charge of space policies, will reveal the plan at a U.N. meeting to be held in Vienna on Wednesday. Along with defunct satellites, debris is also generated by rocket launches. Such debris orbits the Earth at extremely high speeds, and the amount is rapidly increasing amid a surge in space development. According to NASA, there are currently more than 20,000 pieces of debris, both small and large. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space compiled guidelines in 2007 due to the risk of collision between operational satellites or the International Space Station and space debris. The guidelines ask countries to design probes and satellites which do not generate space debris when launched. However, the guidelines are not legally binding, so any response by a country is voluntary. There are also no rules for the removal of existing space debris, raising concerns among companies seeking to enter the space business. In Japan, Astroscale Holdings Inc., a Tokyo-based startup, has been developing its own space debris capture technology where tools such as robotic arms on a satellite capture debris and drop it into the atmosphere where it burns up before reaching the surface. The company is a global leader in the field. The government has decided to take on establishing international rules with countries that share a common understanding of the importance of space debris removal. It plans to discuss legal issues such as the removal of space debris generated by other countries, envisioning the results to be incorporated into future U.N. guidelines. The government expects the United Kingdom and New Zealand, countries which share an understanding on developing international rules with Japan, as well as developing countries seeking to enter the space business, will be founder members of the group. Japan aims to take the initiative in establishing international rules as soon as possible, as space debris removal technology could potentially be utilized by a country to neutralize another's satellites. It also seeks to establish order in space to head off China, which aims to become the space power.
Yomiuri Shimbun
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Joins Race to Attract Top U.S. Researchers with ¥100 Bil. Investment
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo The Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo The government has decided to allocate ¥100 billion from the operational proceeds of the ¥10 trillion University Endowment Fund and other sources to attract eminent researchers from overseas, including Japanese top researchers in the United States leaving the country having lost their jobs due to research funding cuts under the administration of President Donald Trump, Japan plans to fully engage in the intensifying global competition to attract talent. The Cabinet Office has compiled the government initiative, and Minoru Kiuchi, who is the Cabinet minister responsible for science and technology, announced the details at a press conference after a Cabinet meeting on June 13. The University Endowment Fund is a program through which the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) entrusts financial institutions with the management of ¥10 trillion in government contributions. Some of the operating profits from this fund are provided as grants to institutions such as the Universities of International Research Excellence. A substantial disparity in wages has posed a significant barrier to attracting foreign researchers, as compensation in the United States and Europe is reportedly two to three times higher than in government plans to use the operational profits from the University Endowment Fund to cover personnel costs and other expenses. This will allow the university to offer foreign researchers compensation comparable to that of their original institutions. Specifically, through the JST, which manages the fund, the government intends to support domestic universities and national research and development agencies that receive personnel. The current basic policy of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry limits support from the fund to doctoral students and Universities of International Research Excellence aiming for world-class research capabilities. The government plans to revise the policy shortly so that support will be available by autumn, when researcher recruitment primarily happens in the United States and Europe. In addition to financial support, the government will also back reforms to university personnel systems to be able to receive researchers from overseas and equip institutions with cutting-edge research equipment. Recruitment efforts are expected to extend to the United States and other countries, paired with public relations activities to showcase Japan's attractive lifestyle and cultural appeal. The race to secure top U.S. researchers has intensified, with the European Union indicating it will contribute €500 million (about ¥83 billion). In response, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba instructed Kiuchi on June 4 to reinforce efforts to attract researchers at the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation.
Kyodo News
13-06-2025
- Business
- Kyodo News
Japan draws up 100 bil. yen policy to attract foreign researchers
KYODO NEWS - 10 hours ago - 16:20 | All, Japan The Japanese government unveiled on Friday a 100 billion yen ($700 million) policy package designed to attract foreign researchers, some of whom may have joined the exodus of talent from the United States due to research funding cuts. The measures aim to create an elite research environment in Japan, as competition to lure talent intensifies globally in fields such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. The government also plans to use profits generated from a 10 trillion yen investment fund set up by the state to help universities produce internationally competitive research. "We will make utmost efforts to make our country the most attractive in the world for researchers," said science and technology policy minister Minoru Kiuchi at a press conference. Many researchers have departed the United States as President Donald Trump's administration has pushed elite universities to prioritize American students over those from other countries and slashed federal funding for many programs. Japan's new policy package will fund many existing programs, including a plan by Tohoku University to spend around 30 billion yen to recruit about 500 researchers from Japan and abroad. An education ministry project in which hubs will be created to promote top-level research is also included. The government aims to raise salaries for researchers and reduce their administrative burden, allowing them to concentrate on their work. It also seeks to acquire advanced technology for use at institutions. Kiuchi said the government will consider additional measures to retain researchers after bringing them in from abroad. Despite the government's recent efforts to promote science and technology research, an education ministry institute said that last year Japan remained ranked at a record-low 13th place in the number of highly cited scientific papers. Related coverage: Japan calls on colleges to accept students in U.S. after Harvard ban Univ. of Tokyo mulls accepting Harvard foreign students if barred Defense tech subsidies for Japan universities totaled 2.7 bil. yen
The Mainichi
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Japan draws up 100 bil. yen policy to attract foreign researchers
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government unveiled on Friday a 100 billion yen ($700 million) policy package designed to attract foreign researchers, some of whom may have joined the exodus of talent from the United States due to research funding cuts. The measures aim to create an elite research environment in Japan, as competition to lure talent intensifies globally in fields such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. The government also plans to use profits generated from a 10 trillion yen investment fund set up by the state to help universities produce internationally competitive research. "We will make utmost efforts to make our country the most attractive in the world for researchers," said science and technology policy minister Minoru Kiuchi at a press conference. Many researchers have departed the United States as President Donald Trump's administration has pushed elite universities to prioritize American students over those from other countries and slashed federal funding for many programs. Japan's new policy package will fund many existing programs, including a plan by Tohoku University to spend around 30 billion yen to recruit about 500 researchers from Japan and abroad. An education ministry project in which hubs will be created to promote top-level research is also included. The government aims to raise salaries for researchers and reduce their administrative burden, allowing them to concentrate on their work. It also seeks to acquire advanced technology for use at institutions. Kiuchi said the government will consider additional measures to retain researchers after bringing them in from abroad. Despite the government's recent efforts to promote science and technology research, an education ministry institute said that last year Japan remained ranked at a record-low 13th place in the number of highly cited scientific papers.
Kyodo News
13-06-2025
- Business
- Kyodo News
Japan draws up 100 bil. yen policy to attract foreign researchers
KYODO NEWS - 9 minutes ago - 16:20 | All, Japan The Japanese government unveiled on Friday a 100 billion yen ($700 million) policy package designed to attract foreign researchers, some of whom may have joined the exodus of talent from the United States due to research funding cuts. The measures aim to create an elite research environment in Japan, as competition to lure talent intensifies globally in fields such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. The government also plans to use profits generated from a 10 trillion yen investment fund set up by the state to help universities produce internationally competitive research. "We will make utmost efforts to make our country the most attractive in the world for researchers," said science and technology policy minister Minoru Kiuchi at a press conference. Many researchers have departed the United States as President Donald Trump's administration has pushed elite universities to prioritize American students over those from other countries and slashed federal funding for many programs. Japan's new policy package will fund many existing programs, including a plan by Tohoku University to spend around 30 billion yen to recruit about 500 researchers from Japan and abroad. An education ministry project in which hubs will be created to promote top-level research is also included. The government aims to raise salaries for researchers and reduce their administrative burden, allowing them to concentrate on their work. It also seeks to acquire advanced technology for use at institutions. Kiuchi said the government will consider additional measures to retain researchers after bringing them in from abroad. Despite the government's recent efforts to promote science and technology research, an education ministry institute said that last year Japan remained ranked at a record-low 13th place in the number of highly cited scientific papers. Related coverage: Japan calls on colleges to accept students in U.S. after Harvard ban Univ. of Tokyo mulls accepting Harvard foreign students if barred Defense tech subsidies for Japan universities totaled 2.7 bil. yen
