In Japan, researchers resist ruling party’s push to rein in national science academy
Japan’s dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is out to crimp the independence of the Science Council of Japan (SCJ)—the country’s national science academy. With the LDP leading the country’s ruling coalition, Japan’s cabinet on Friday approved a bill that would replace the current Science Council—an independent public entity that manages its own affairs—with a special corporation subject to increased government oversight. The proposal, which has drawn fierce opposition from many researchers, must be approved by the country’s legislature and the council’s supporters are cautiously optimistic that lawmakers in Japan’s Parliament will defeat it. A vote is expected within weeks. Skirmishes between the LDP and the SCJ have increased in recent years. One point of conflict is the SCJ’s opposition to academics conducting research into military or dual-use technologies, something the LDP and...