How Can We Protect Japan's Research Capabilities? — 💡 The Immeasurable Power of "Basic Science," Where Intellectual Curiosity Opens Up the Future

First, please take a look at this article.

This article reports on the serious current situation where the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan is currently facing a funding crisis—a world-class research hub that has contributed to achievements such as the first-ever photograph of a black hole in human history.

Since incorporation in 2004, as government grants to national universities and research institutions have continued to decline and rising prices have added to the burden, securing research funding has become a major challenge. In particular, for "basic science" (research that does not immediately lead to practical applications or profits), there are concerns that even though that knowledge forms the foundation for future innovative technologies, the lack of funding will lead to a decline in Japan's overall research capabilities.

In the article, a researcher states, "If people can understand the fascination of astronomy and the importance of basic science, there will surely be ways it can be useful in unexpected ways," and appeals for social understanding and long-term support for basic research.

1. What is "Basic Science"? Exploration Born from the Joy of Knowing

When you hear the term "basic science," what kind of image comes to mind?

"Basic science (pure science)" refers to exploratory activities aimed at elucidating the principles, laws, and structures behind certain phenomena, and does not aim to obtain direct applications or results in the short term.

Physics, mathematics, biology, astronomy... these are all classified as basic science. This refers to scientific activities that do not have specific applications or practical use as their direct goal but are instead pursued for the sake of "understanding the fundamental principles and mechanisms of natural phenomena," or in other words, "for the sake of knowing."

The smartphones and medical technologies that enrich our lives are all built on the foundation of knowledge created by basic science.

The driving force of basic science is nothing other than the fundamental human intellectual curiosity to unravel the "mysteries" of the world. Pure questions like "Why is this?" and "How does this work?" are what generate the knowledge that becomes the foundation for future innovative technologies.

If applied science is the "technology to build a bridge," then basic science can be said to be the work of understanding the "ground that supports that bridge."

2. What is the motivation for engaging in basic science?

Why do people pursue pure questions even when profits or rewards are not guaranteed? The main motivations include the following:

Intellectual curiosity and the desire for exploration

The desire to keep asking "Why?" Continuing to have questions about phenomena you see and hear, such as "How does this work?"

The ambition to accumulate knowledge

A sense of mission to weave knowledge together with others and pass it on to future generations.

Expectations for future possibilities

Believing that results that seem "useless" now might sprout decades later.

Academic community and social recognition

Recognition within the research community, being read in international academic journals, and citations of those papers.

However, these are not easy paths. Especially because of the nature of "results being difficult to produce immediately," they are accompanied by time and financial risks.

3. What is the use of that research?

Basic science research is sometimes said to be "not immediately useful." However, looking back at human history, explorations that began out of curiosity have later become the catalyst for significantly changing the world.

Here, I will introduce several research examples that, while not directly linked to real life, are interesting.

• Platypus genome analysis: The platypus has a mysterious ecology: it is a mammal but lays eggs, is venomous, and has a bill. By analyzing its genome in detail, it contributes to solving fundamental mysteries of life, such as how mammals have evolved.

• Ecological surveys of deep-sea organisms: Research on organisms living in the deep sea where light does not reach not only helps us understand life's survival strategies in extreme environments but also holds the potential to lead to the discovery of new enzymes and pharmaceuticals in the future.

• Cosmic microwave background and cosmology research: While cosmological observations and theoretical research may not seem directly connected to daily life, understanding the beginning and structure of the universe has also stimulated progress in science, technology, and sensor technology.

• Particle physics: Research on the Higgs boson, neutrinos, and the like was initially aimed at finding answers to "fundamental questions of the universe."

• Number theory and pure mathematics: While sometimes applied in later years, such as in cryptography, the historical motivation was to explore the "systematic nature of mathematics itself."

• Animal behavior and ecological research on insects and microorganisms: Research that began out of biological curiosity can also be applied to hygiene, environmental conservation, and biotechnology.

These do not immediately affect our lives, but there is value in "knowing" itself, and new discoveries become seeds that contribute to humanity in unexpected ways.

4. The value of basic science proven by history

There are countless examples of basic science that became indispensable to modern society despite no practical application being envisioned at the time of the research.

Example 1: Special Theory of Relativity (Albert Einstein)

Published in 1905, this theory was a piece of pure physics research exploring the essence of the universe and time. However, today, the GPS (Global Positioning System) essential to our lives would not function accurately without corrections based on this theory of relativity. Pure academic inquiry has become the foundation of the technology that supports our movement.

Example 2: Development of the blue LED (Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, Shuji Nakamura)

This research, which won the Nobel Prize in Physics, was also initially considered difficult to apply. However, it is because of this achievement that the foundations of our information society, such as energy-saving lighting, large displays, and smartphone screens, were built.

Example 3: GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein)

GFP, discovered through basic research in genetic engineering, became a technology that visualizes the movement of proteins within cells using "glowing markers," revolutionizing life science and medical research.

Case Study 4: Autophagy (Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi)

The elucidation of autophagy—the mechanism by which cells recycle their own components—began with questions in basic biology and has now become vital knowledge relevant to neurodegenerative diseases, cancer research, and aging studies.

Case Study 5: Discovery of Neutrino Oscillations (Takaaki Kajita et al.)

Research indicating that neutrinos, once thought to be "massless," might actually possess mass was proven through decades of observation and theoretical accumulation, shaking the foundations of our understanding of physics and cosmology.

Case Study 6: Ivermectin (Satoshi Omura)

The antiparasitic drug "Ivermectin" was discovered through basic research exploring compounds produced by microorganisms, leading to a Nobel Prize.

In addition to these, "Click Chemistry" (Professors Barry Sharpless, Morten Meldal, and Carolyn Bertozzi, 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry) and "Techniques for ionizing proteins without destroying them" (Koichi Tanaka, 2002 Nobel Prize in Chemistry) have contributed to advancements in the fields of medicine and pharmacology.

The knowledge generated by basic science is a classic bridge from "basic to applied." Over time, it becomes the "invisible infrastructure" that supports our lives and industries.

5. Viewing the Value of Basic Science Through Quantitative and Comparative Analysis

For a resource-poor Japan, intellectual capital—namely "research capability"—is a vital source for expanding industry and developing the economy. Investment in basic science is nothing less than "sowing seeds" for the future.

However, in recent years, the environment surrounding basic science in Japan has been in a difficult situation.

The report mentioned at the beginning regarding the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan facing financial difficulties is one such example. In research settings such as universities, which serve as the foundation for future innovation, government subsidies are on a downward trend, and securing funds to maintain research has become a major challenge.

Research and Development Expenditure Allocation and Ratios

Regarding Japan's R&D expenditure by character, as of 2021, it is reported that "basic research" accounts for 15.3%, applied research for 20.6%, and development for 64.1%. (*1)

Furthermore, looking at trends over the past 15 years, it has been pointed out that the budget ratio for basic research is on a slight downward trend. (*2)

Budget Scale and Trends

There are reports that Japan's total R&D expenditure (public + private) reached a record high (approximately 3.70%) as a percentage of nominal GDP in fiscal year 2023. (*3)

However, there are also reports that "operating expense grants" directed toward academia, such as universities, have been on a downward trend in recent years. For example, some articles state that operating expense grants for national universities have decreased by approximately 13% since 2004. (*4)

Additionally, while competitive funding and grants-in-aid for scientific research have been expanded as the nation's fundamental operating expenses (the "maintenance and management costs" of universities) have shrunk, there is a critical perspective questioning whether this can fully guarantee the stability of basic research. (*5)

Government reports also indicate that research expenditure per full-time researcher in the university sector was approximately 12.48 million yen in fiscal year 2004 and approximately 12.30 million yen in fiscal year 2021, showing no significant real increase. (*6)

International Comparison and Relative Status

Data shows that Japan's ratio of research and development expenditure to GDP has been on an upward trend in recent years, despite repeated fluctuations over the long term. For example, a report for fiscal year 2022 indicates a figure of approximately 3.36%. (*7)(*8)

However, other countries (such as South Korea, China, and the United States) are showing faster growth, and some analyses suggest that Japan is lagging behind major nations in the growth rate of university sector budgets. (*9)(*10)

Furthermore, in terms of academic performance compared by metrics such as 'number of papers' and 'number of top 10% papers,' it is pointed out that while Japan remains at a high level in terms of 'quantity,' it is being caught up by other countries in terms of 'quality and dissemination power' (studies analyzing the relationship between science, technology, and the economy are also referenced). (*11)

These figures highlight structural issues such as 'a low ratio of basic research,' 'sluggish growth in university sector resources,' and 'a difference in the sense of speed compared to other countries.'

On the other hand, in the United States and European countries, long-term public support for basic science is relatively stable, and it is said that in the United States in particular, there is an environment where university researchers can engage in challenging research from a relatively stable position.

What this comparison reveals is the necessity of support based on a medium- to long-term perspective for basic research, which, beyond applied research that tends to seek immediate results, is 'something that may not be useful right now, but will definitely lead to the future'.

6. What is Happening in Research Sites Now — Challenges in Basic Research Sites in Japan

In the field of basic science in Japan, the following issues are cited as urgent.

(1) Instability of Research Funding and Dependence on Competitive Funding

While basic operating expenses are being cut, the degree of dependence on 'competitive funding' such as KAKENHI (Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research) is increasing. Since competitive funding is allocated based on results and achievements, there is a concern that research themes tend to be biased toward seeking short-term results. (*12)

(2) Career Instability for Young Researchers

Even after completing a doctoral program, the number of people who can secure stable research positions is limited, and many go through unstable positions such as postdocs or part-time posts. Such career anxiety is one of the factors that makes it difficult to engage in basic research that requires a long period of time. (*13)

(3) Lack of Human Resources and Mobility

It is also pointed out that the influx of talent from overseas and the circulation of brains are not progressing. The Japanese scientific community is feared to be 'Galapagosized,' and the promotion of international joint research and researcher exchange is an urgent task. (*14)

(4) Burden of Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operating Costs

Costs for infrastructure, such as experimental equipment, maintenance, facility upkeep, and university administration and support systems, become an 'invisible burden' for researchers. The reduction in management expense grants is considered a factor that increases these cost burdens.

(5) Short-term Policy Orientation and Problems with Evaluation Systems

From the perspective of politics and administration, budget allocation is accompanied by accountability, and demands for result-oriented outcomes increase. Therefore, there is a structure where resources tend to flow easily into applied research and development research where short-term results are easily sought.

(6) Increase in Administrative Work for Researchers

There is a reality where the administrative work involved in applying for and reporting on competitive funding has become enormous, leaving researchers overwhelmed with tasks other than research.

These issues are not a matter of the passion or ability of the researchers, but rather issues with the system that supports research itself.

7. Hope for the Future ~ How Should We Protect and Nurture Basic Science?

Given this current situation, how should we protect Japan's research capabilities and connect them to the future?

There is no immediate answer, but we need to discuss it as a society and take action. Furthermore, there is no single correct answer; we must integrate various perspectives.

(A) Rebuilding the Balance Between Basic Operating Expenses and Competitive Funding

It is necessary to design a system that stably secures basic expenses such as "operating expense grants" for universities and research institutions, while keeping competitive funding in a supplementary role. This would allow researchers the leeway to explore independently without worrying about "maintaining their daily research environment."

(B) Support for Nurturing Young Researchers and Career Path Reform

It is essential to expand stable positions after doctoral programs that allow for long-term, settled research rather than "fixed-term" ones, and to establish career systems that enable challenges in long-term research.

The evaluation system also needs a perspective that incorporates long-term basic achievements into evaluations rather than just chasing short-term results. Such movements will nurture the next generation of researchers and enrich Japan's intellectual soil.

(C) Promoting International Exchange and Brain Circulation

We should promote the attraction of foreign researchers, the dispatch of young researchers abroad, and international joint research systems to ensure the diversity and stimulation of research. A stance of breaking away from the "isolation" of the Japanese scientific community and incorporating external stimuli is required.

(D) Exploring Diverse Funding Sources and Private Sector Collaboration

It is important to try utilizing diverse funding sources, such as companies, foundations, and crowdfunding, rather than relying solely on public funds. However, this is premised on establishing a framework that protects academic autonomy without being overly conscious of the expectations of the corporate side.

(E) Long-term Vision and Policy Continuity

Because research takes time, policy design and budget management that look 5, 10, or 20 years into the future are indispensable. A "sustainable framework" that is not swayed by changes in government or fiscal year boundaries is required.

(F) Sharing the Value of Basic Science Across Society

It is important for researchers to communicate the "fun" and "importance" of their research to society in an easy-to-understand way, and for us, each citizen, to understand and support that value.

As a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan said, "If people know the fun of astronomy and the importance of basic science, it will surely be useful in unexpected ways," which strongly suggests this point.

Basic science is not about immediate profit, but a "lifeline" that expands the horizon of human knowledge and creates the seeds for future innovation. If that foundation crumbles, applied technology, industry, and society itself could be shaken.

If we neglect investment in this field now, the impact will rebound on Japan's industries and daily life decades from now. That is precisely why we want to cherish the 'accumulation of knowledge' and maintain a perspective that connects it to the future.

How do you think we should support and nurture the basic science that sustains Japan's future?

[Reference Materials]

'Basic Science and Applied Science: Understanding the Differences' from mindthegraph

'Why 'Useless' Basic Science is Important' from Toyo Keizai Online

(*1) 'R&D Expenditure by Character' from the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP), MEXT

(*2) 'Trends in R&D Activities Related to Industrial Technology in Japan - Key Indicators and Survey Data' from the Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau, METI (March 2023)

https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/economy/gijutsu_kakushin/tech_research/2022_aohon.pdf

(*3) 'Japan's R&D Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2023 Reaches Record High of 3.70% of Nominal GDP' from Dai-ichi Life Research Institute Inc.

(*4) '13% Cut in Grants Hits Hard; Bias Toward Competitive Funding Directly Linked to Decline in University Research Capability' (Diamond Online)

(*5) 'Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Competitive Funding) Information' (Kenkyu-net produced by WDB)

(*6) 2022 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation (MEXT)

(*7) 'Science and Technology Indicators 2021' from the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP), MEXT

(*8) 'Science and Technology Indicators 2024' from the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP), MEXT

(*9) 'The Current State of Japanese Academia from the Perspective of Research Capability' from the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association

(*10) 'Japan's Position in Scientific and Technological Activities as Seen from 'Science and Technology Indicators 2023'' from Dai-ichi Life Research Institute Inc.

(*11) 'The link between countries' economic and scientific wealth has a complex dependence on technological activity and research policy' (from Cornell University)

(*12) 'The Situation Regarding Japan's Research Funding and the Future' from Enago Academy

(*13) 'Is the Nobel Prize Getting Further Away? The Future of Japan Cutting Basic Research Funding' from Nikkei Inc.

https://bizgate.nikkei.com/article/DGXZZO5158008030102019000000

(*14) 'The Galapagosization of the Japanese Scientific Community – Fearing Exclusion from the International Brain Circulation,' from the Center for Research and Development Strategy, Japan Science and Technology Agency

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