Future Policy for Renewal of Advanced Research Infrastructure to Maximize Research Creativity and Efficiency

Overview

This document outlines the policy for building a nationwide shared research equipment network aimed at maximizing research creativity and efficiency. ## Key Points ### 1. Long-term Goals and Vision for 10 Years Ahead - Establish a "Core Facility Network" centered on approximately 20 shared facilities nationwide - Create an environment where researchers across Japan can access necessary equipment through a shared network of research facilities and instruments - Achieve improved research quality and efficiency through transformation to a research environment premised on sharing - Build a system that shifts competitive research funding from equipment purchases to usage fees ### 2. Implementation Policy for the Next 5 Years - MEXT will conduct commissioned research in FY2025 to promote information centralization and visualization of shared systems - Core Facility Networks will create 10-year shared research equipment development and operation plans - Core shared facilities must establish core facility systems in oversight departments and implement advanced initiatives - Mandatory initiatives for cross-departmental training systems and career path development for technical specialists ### 3. Formation of Equipment Field Networks - Target equipment fields with high versatility across disciplines and importance for international competitiveness - Promote centralized access points and enhanced usability for cutting-edge and leading domestic research equipment - Implement trial introduction of prototypes and first units based on research needs within the network - Establish liaison meetings for coordination with Core Facility Networks ### 4. Promoting Industry-Academia Collaboration for Research Infrastructure Enhancement - Accelerate development of advanced infrastructure technologies and instruments using shared facilities - Promote development of new measurement and analysis technologies based on research needs and innovative ideas - Aim to build sustainable shared systems through collaboration with equipment manufacturers - Construct ultra-efficient research environment models through bold introduction of automation and remote technologies ### 5. Market Trends and Japan's Challenges - Japanese companies' share in the domestic measurement and analysis equipment market is approximately 10% as of 2021 - Sales growth rate from 2018 to 2021: US, UK, and French companies recorded around 15% - The number of research equipment over 10 million yen correlates roughly with the scale of funding - An estimated 20-30 research universities have advanced in core facility implementation The article presents a concrete roadmap for strengthening Japan's research capabilities through shared research equipment and utilization of technical specialists, suitable for the AI era.

This document outlines the policy for building a nationwide shared research equipment network aimed at maximizing research creativity and efficiency.

Key Points

1. Long-term Goals and Vision for 10 Years Ahead

Establish a "Core Facility Network" centered on approximately 20 shared facilities nationwide
Create an environment where researchers across Japan can access necessary equipment through a shared network of research facilities and instruments
Achieve improved research quality and efficiency through transformation to a research environment premised on sharing
Build a system that shifts competitive research funding from equipment purchases to usage fees

2. Implementation Policy for the Next 5 Years

MEXT will conduct commissioned research in FY2025 to promote information centralization and visualization of shared systems
Core Facility Networks will create 10-year shared research equipment development and operation plans
Core shared facilities must establish core facility systems in oversight departments and implement advanced initiatives
Mandatory initiatives for cross-departmental training systems and career path development for technical specialists

3. Formation of Equipment Field Networks

Target equipment fields with high versatility across disciplines and importance for international competitiveness
Promote centralized access points and enhanced usability for cutting-edge and leading domestic research equipment
Implement trial introduction of prototypes and first units based on research needs within the network
Establish liaison meetings for coordination with Core Facility Networks

4. Promoting Industry-Academia Collaboration for Research Infrastructure Enhancement

Accelerate development of advanced infrastructure technologies and instruments using shared facilities
Promote development of new measurement and analysis technologies based on research needs and innovative ideas
Aim to build sustainable shared systems through collaboration with equipment manufacturers
Construct ultra-efficient research environment models through bold introduction of automation and remote technologies

5. Market Trends and Japan's Challenges

Japanese companies' share in the domestic measurement and analysis equipment market is approximately 10% as of 2021
Sales growth rate from 2018 to 2021: US, UK, and French companies recorded around 15%
The number of research equipment over 10 million yen correlates roughly with the scale of funding
An estimated 20-30 research universities have advanced in core facility implementation

The article presents a concrete roadmap for strengthening Japan's research capabilities through shared research equipment and utilization of technical specialists, suitable for the AI era.