Program in Brief

Equips government officials with the skills needed to design, implement and evaluate policies related to science, technology and innovation based on a scientific approach, and trains other professionals to become experts in the theory and practice of policy making

• Program Director: Professor Takayuki Hayashi
• Associate Director: Professor Koichi Sumikura, Professor Hisanori Nei  
• Degrees Offered: Master of Public Policy
• Language of Instruction: English/Japanese
• Time Schedule:
  • Program Duration…2 years
  • Enrollment…April
  • Graduation…March
• Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Program Homepage

In recent years, science, technology and innovation(STI) have been regarded as the foundation of development in Japan, a country lacking in natural resources. The importance of science and technology have been underscored by the enactment of the Science and Technology Basic Law and the formation of the Science and Technology Basic Plan. Advances in science and technology also present new challenges, including changes in society and the economy, emerging bioethical concerns, increasing need for policies that consider risks and social costs (need for regulatory science), and disputes and protection of intellectual property rights.

Candidates in this program conduct high-level policy research and policy planning, master the discipline required for performing policy research, write papers in areas of social science, teach at institutions of higher education, and improve their proficiency in foreign languages.

This joint program is operated under the full support of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(MEXT) and provided in cooperation with the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy(NISTEP), the Center for Research and Development Strategy Japan Science and Technology Agency(JST) and the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry(RIETI).