Takaaki Kajita, center, president of the Science Council of Japan, and other executives hold a news conference on Dec. 16 to explain the interim report submitted to the science and technology policy minister. (Tetsuya Ishikura)
The Science Council of Japan issued an interim report Dec. 16 that stopped short of proposing it sever all ties with the government following a high-profile row with the Suga administration.
The Science Council has been discussing how it could change as an advisory body to the central government in the aftermath of an unprecedented decision by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to block the appointments of six scholars recommended by the body.
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Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga assumed the mantle of Japanese prime minister amidst growing regional security threats, continuing COVID-19 effects on public health and the economy, a critical financial situation, and lingering structural economic problems. Given the extent of these challenges, one wonders whether to offer Suga condolences rather than congratulations.
Suga’s predecessor, Shinzo Abe, implemented a visionary foreign policy, strengthened Japan’s alliance with the United States, and undertook an increasingly firm security stance against Chinese and North Korean threats. Suga will continue Abe’s policies, but may do so with less enthusiasm for expanding Japan’s regional and global security role. Suga vowed to continue the “Abenomics” strategy to stimulate the economy, but he will have to adapt to undo the dire economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
EDITORIAL: LDP s reform plan for Science Council full of deceptions : The Asahi Shimbun asahi.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from asahi.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.