Case Study: Japanese Nantoechnology
The Japanese government has not paid much attention to the societal impacts of nanotechnology when compared to Europe and the US. Initially, Japan’s attitude toward societal aspects of nanotechnology was to treat symptoms as they appeared rather than trying to prevent possible risks.
Fallout from the failure to provide sufficient scientific data that could guarantee the safety level of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) have led the Japanese government to consider both the benefits and risks of new technologies simultaneously. With nanotechnology, Japanese ministries are striving to develop new technology with both industry and society in mind, and the government has made efforts to meet the need of informing the Japanese public.
One of the attempts to promote multidisciplinary conversations and public education was the establishment of a forum where representatives from four ministries (MEXT- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, METI-Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, MHLW-Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, ME- Ministry of the Environment) convene and discuss societal impacts of nanotechnology. In February 2005 a symposium called “Nanotechnology and Society” was opened to the public, with a project for the development of nano-medical devices. In addition, the Japan Federation of Economic Organization proposed “n-Plan21” in 2001 as a basic framework for promoting intellectual, educational, and industrial conversations. The plan outlined four key goals:
- To foster innovation of IT, biotechnology, energy & environmental technology and materials by means of nanotechnology
- To promote investment
- To propose and fund flagship research projects
- To share visions and promote nanotechnology strategically on a national stage and to promote networks between industry, academia and government
