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Materials Science Policies and Programs in Japan A Study by the Science Section of the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo Detail-filled 23-page report describes and analyzes the extent and focus of the Japanese government's contributions—both current and planned—to advanced materials R&D. Policies, programs, funding, technologies, materials, and goals are identified. Contents: • Capsule history of the Japanese government's approach to technological/ industrial development, its materials science policies, and stated goals. • Ministerial Materials Science Policies—basic descriptions of a special coordination fund for promoting science and technology, the Science and Technology Agency (STA), the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MIT1), and ministry goals; policy recommendations of the Council for Aeronautics, Electronics, and Advanced Technologies. • Materials Programs in STA, MIT1, Other Ministries—programs, topics, funding, expectations. • International Cooperative Research Activities. • Government-Industry Connectionexamples of how Japan's government encourages industry participation in commercializing research. • Future Plans—cites a systematic study by Japan's Economic Planning Agency which forecasts the timing for practical use of 101 future-oriented technologies in nine technology areas over the next 20 or more years, and their effects on society and the economy. • Implications for the U.S.—with specific recommendations. For a free copy of this report, send your request and a self-addressed business envelope to: Japan Report, Materials Research Society, 9800 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 USA. Distributed as a service of the Materials Research Society and the MRS Office of Public Affairs, Washington, DC.
Brown Voices Support of AMPP, Tech Transfer with Former Soviet Union In a one-on-one interview with the MRS Bulletin on March 10, Representative George Brown (D-CA) described himself as a friend of materials research and as particularly interested in the growth and development of advanced materials. Brown, who chairs the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, voiced his support of the Bush administration's recently announced materials initiative. The Advanced Materials and Processing Program (AMPP) is "an excellent, costcutting initiative," he said, and should provide "a little funding boost and important focus" for the advanced materials so identified. AMPP should also help provide a better understanding of the commercial applications for some of these materials, something we don't have a good grasp on, said Brown. The Science Committee will call witnesses, including presidential science adviser D. Allan Bromley, to gain a better understanding of AMPP. It will also attempt to conduct oversight, although, as the Science Committee Chair explained, this will be more difficult since the crosscutting initiative involves multiple agencies and several departments will have to be monitored. AMPP's visibility and support is remarkable, considering the continuing squeeze in the budget, said Brown. "There i
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