There is growing concern about Japan's science and technology. Although Japan has been putting a lot of effort into becoming a "science and technology-oriented country," its international standing has actually declined in recent years. According to a report released last year by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, Japan has been surpassed by India in the number of high-quality papers cited by researchers in natural science research, falling from ninth place in the world to 10th. Meanwhile, China, which continues to invest heavily in R&D, has overtaken the United States to claim the No. 1 spot. Many experts point out that one of the main reasons for Japan's regression is its research budget. In fact, while many major developed countries are increasing their research budgets, the total research budgets of universities in Japan remained roughly the same over the past 20 years. While the U.S. and China are investing heavily -- especially in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, which are strongly related to the economy and security -- Japan is lagging far behind in these fields.
However, there has been some big news in Japan. In January of this year, TerraPower, a U.S. nuclear power company led by Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates, agreed to collaborate with the Japan Atomic Energy Agency and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. on the development of a next-generation fast reactor. They are expected to sign a formal contract this summer. According to TerraPower's plan, construction of the fast reactor is going to begin in 2024 in the U.S. state of Wyoming, and they will start its operation in 2028. If the plan is successful, it could develop into a major industry and it might spur the development of new fast reactors in Japan as well.
