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.