In many countries, national academies represent scientific communities both within the country and internationally. They play a key role in promoting sound science and in contributing to society by understanding natural and societal systems, and by providing scientific advice and recommendations to solve problems in those systems Above all, it’s critically important that national academies maintain scientific integrity and independence from politics.

Science Council of Japan (SCJ) has been the Japanese national academy since its establishment in 1949. It covers all scientific disciplines: Humanities, social sciences, biological and medical sciences, physical science and engineering. SCJ is not a funding agency nor does it have research institutions. It solely serves as an advisory body to develop recommendations to society, to the government, and sometimes to the scientific community itself. Historically, SCJ has led and ignited key major scientific events in Japan and  the world: It recommended to the government to dispatch research expeditions to Antarctica at the International Geophysical Year; the establishment of Biosafety Level 4 research facilities in Japanese universities; it guided the national and local governments in the recovery and reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake; it promoted Global Environmental Change Programmes and then Future Earth, which led to the establishment of a Global Secretariat Hub in Japan, and so much more. SCJ has led development of science integrity policy and guidelines, and has been active at various international academic organizations, such as developing joint scientific recommendations with national academies in other G7 countries to directly deliver to their Prime Ministers and Presidents, by sending executive members to those organizations, e.g. International Science Council and InterAcademy Partnership. Based on deep reflections over the scientists’ commitment to World War II, one of SCJ’s core principles is to contribute to global peace, with a politically neutral standing position and from a scientific point of view. At Future Earth, SCJ is a leading funder of the Global Secretariat Hub Japan, and an active organization in the secretariat funder group at the Assembly and the Governing Council.

The autonomy and independence of the national academy and its activities, including the member selection, should be respected and safeguarded without any intervention. According to the Law concerning the Science Council of Japan (hereafter the Law), SCJ has a position as a “special organization” under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister, operating independently of the government. SCJ employs a co-optation system (new members are selected by existing members) at the Council Members’ renewal every 3 years, and considers good balance in gender, regional locations and societal sectors in addition to scientific disciplines, in the member selection. The new Council Members who were approved by SCJ’s Assembly are formally appointed by the Prime Minister.

However, the Japanese government is now preparing the amendment of the Law including creating a third party committee which possibly intervenes in the members selection procedures of SCJ. This amendment plan is rooted in the refusal of 6 out of the 105 nominated Council Members by then Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in October 2020. The reason for the refusal has never been disclosed until now. Those 6 scholars have criticized legislation based on their academic expertise, during the previous administration. While SCJ had repeatedly requested for the explanation of the refusal and the appointment of the 6 nominees, the administration initiated arguments on the shape and procedures of SCJ, without replying to the SCJ’s request. Although the government says the Law amendment this time is to improve transparency of the member selection, the proposed third party is suspected and seriously concerned to add the government’s pressure on SCJ. In addition, the amendment of the Law is being brought without any transparency, without explanation to or consultation with SCJ, and without disclosure of the details of the amendment bill to the Japanese public. It threatens the independence of the national academy.

Under the critical and complex status in global environmental change and societal system, academia and policy need to collaborate with and complement each other more than ever. There is no time to distrust each other. The Japanese government is strongly encouraged to seriously and openly communicate with SCJ and its members to understand their dedication and commitment to society at large, and to respect and protect the autonomy and independence of SCJ.

The Explanation Note on the Statement of the General Assembly calling upon the Government to reconsider its planned amendment of the Law concerning the Science Council of Japan is available on the SCJ website 

From the journal Science: “Plan to restructure Japan’s science academy draws protests from researchers”

Asahi: Past Presidents of SCJ speak out against the proposed amendment of the Law 

An editorial in Asahi on the reform bill