Photo/Illutration A banner reading “Oppose incorporation, protect academic independence” is displayed by a citizen group in front of the Science Council of Japan in Tokyo’s Minato Ward. (The Asahi Shimbun)

The embattled Science Council of Japan has on the whole accepted the government’s plan to incorporate it as an independent organization, although it continues to have some reservations. 

The council has expressed concerns about maintaining its autonomy, particularly regarding a proposal to introduce a government-appointed auditor.

SCJ President Mamoru Mitsuishi, who is also a professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, said on Dec. 22 that the incorporation plan clearly contributes to strengthening the council’s functions, which include offering fully independent scientific advice to the government. 

But Mitsuishi said that the SCJ will continue discussions with the government to address its concerns.

His remarks were approved during an extraordinary general meeting held that day.

The government plans to finalize the details of the incorporation and submit a related bill to next year’s ordinary Diet session.

The Cabinet Office’s expert panel, which has been discussing the incorporation, released its final report on Dec. 20.

The report included a positive proposal for the council, which would abolish the current practice of member appointments by the prime minister while continuing government financial support after incorporation.

However, the report also called for the appointment of an “auditor” by the prime minister, citing the need to ensure accountability for the use of government funds, which raised concerns among SCJ members.

During the Dec. 22 meeting, the council members discussed the report.

Some criticized it, saying, “Incorporation is supposed to enable the council to provide advice that differs from the government’s views, so introducing an auditor, which the current system doesn’t have, is contradictory” and "Strengthened government interference is a concern."

Others said, “As long as the government provides financial support, audits are only natural.”

The council’s annual budget of around 950 million yen ($6 million) is expected to increase in the next fiscal year, according to explanations provided during the meeting.

Mitsuishi said, “It is not as though the SCJ had no points to reflect on.”

“While we will continue to express concerns, we want to move forward positively,” he added. “We will engage responsibly with the government to advance legislation.”

His remarks were approved amid applause.

The current debate over the SCJ’s future began in 2020 when then-Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga refused to appoint six nominated SCJ candidates.

This led the government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party to shift the focus to organizational and operational reforms within the SCJ.

In 2022, the government decided to revise the law to involve third parties in the member selection process.

However, in 2023, the SCJ adopted a resolution recommending that the government postpone the bill’s submission.

The government eventually chose to withhold the bill and instead decided that “it would be desirable to establish the council as an independent corporate organization separate from the government.”

At a news conference following the general meeting, Mitsuishi said, “Amid discussions where some even questioned the need for the council, the support for its efforts and indications of continued financial backing at least for the time being can be seen as positive.”

(This article was written by Takahiro Takenouchi and Ryohei Miyawaki.)

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