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Round-table talks−128−Synthesiology - English edition Vol.5 No.2 (2012) with the changing global socio-economic system over the course of time, various weaknesses were exposed. Therefore in Phase 4, the direction shifted to problem solving and issue driven policy. It was supposed to be approved by the Cabinet at the end of March 2011, but after experiencing the East Japan Earthquake on March 11, it was reviewed and the weight has shifted even more toward demand-driven or solution-oriented topics. This is also a global trend. The science and technology policies of the world are driven from the policy of heavy emphasis on R&D upstream toward emphasis on innovation of how to create “value” from downstream as well as upstream.Another point is that the Fourth Basic Plan proposes “deepening the relationship between society and science and technology” and “promotion of science and technology innovation with immediate effect.” On the other hand, it is important to keep an eye on whether the support of basic science and basic research upstream is okay, and whether diversity and richness are maintained.KobayashiIn Phase 2, priority of resource allocation was given to the four focal areas of life science, information and communication, environment, and nanotechnology/materials. In Phase 3, selection and concentration were on our focal areas. In addition, national core technologies, KobayashiLast year, the Fourth Science and Technology Basic Plan that covers the fiscal years from 2011 to 2015 was established. In face of crises in Japan including the Great East Japan Earthquake as well as the various global issues, the Plan spells out the basic science and technology policy for Japan to realize the ideals. Dr. Arimoto, you speak actively from your position where you have overviewed the national and global science and technology policies. Can you discuss your thoughts and experiences on the future trends, both domestic and overseas, on the science and technology policies, with focus on the Fourth Science and Technology Basic Plan?The characteristic of Fourth Science and Technology Basic Plan “Significance of emphasis on solution-seeking research”ArimotoThe Science and Technology Basic Law was established in 1995 with unanimous vote of the ruling and opposing parties in the Diet. In the background was a sense of crisis, though not as strong as it is now, that Japan’s competitive capacity might decline as globalization progressed. During the 15 years from Phase 1 to Phase 3 of the Basic Plan, I believe there was a value in the emphasis on certain fields such as biotechnology, information technology, and nanotechnology, to fortify Japan’s science and technology activities. However, Science and technology policy and synthesiology – Bridging science and valuesSynthesiology Editorial BoardOne of the aims of the Fourth Science and Technology Basic Plan, which was decided by the Government of Japan last August, is to create “solution-seeking” or “issue-driven” innovations such as green innovation and life innovation. The Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST-RISTEX) is promoting various R&D programs that lead to the implementation of the research results in society. Because this approach is in line with Synthesiology, we talked to Dr. Tateo Arimoto, Director of JST-RISTEX, in a roundtable talk session.[Translation from Synthesiology, Vol.5, No.2, p.135-140 (2012)]Tateo ArimotoNaoto KobayashiMotoyuki AkamatsuDirector, JST-RISTEX and Professor, National Graduate Research Institute of Political StudiesVice editor-in-chief, SynthesiologyExecutive editor,SynthesiologyParticipants of the round-table talk

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