Japan sets new goals for science policy

"Comfort and fulfillment" for the people of Japan and the rest of the world is now the main theme of Japan's science and technology policy. That comes straight from the 1990 white paper on science and technology just issued by Japan's Science & Technology Agency (STA). A three-pronged approach to a healthy body; functional information, transportation, and communication systems; and an energy-efficient, nonpolluted environment is the path to Japan's future, STA says. In terms of markets, the new policy means more health care and biomedical research equipment, vast new transportation and communication systems, and a varied combination of energy technologies-especially nuclear, now that Japan is committed to keeping carbon dioxide emissions at or below its 1990 levels. Japan is worried about the future quality of life of its people, especially the aged. Lacking pension and social security systems, retired persons are usually cared for by family. But most individual Japanese are far from wealthy and ...