Basic Research in Japan and Germany
JSPS / AvH-Symposium:
Similarities and Differences, Current Problems and Tendencies
March 13–14, 1997
Universitätsclub, Konviktstr. 9, 53113 Bonn
Executive Organizers: Prof. Dr. Minoru Oda, Prof. Dr. Reimar Lüst
Die Vorträge dieses Symposiums sind erschienen als 
Tagungsband Nr. 1.
The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), its Bonn Office, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation are jointly organizing a Japan-Germany symposium entitled 'Basic Research in Japan and Germany'.
In many industrialized countries the role and the importance of basic research is under discussion. The question is whether the emphasis should be shifted from basic research to applied research in order to speed up innovation and technological development in industry.
We believe it is useful to reassess the role and 'raison d'être' of basic research. It is the purpose of this symposium to address these issues from various angles and to compare the situation surrounding basic research in the two countries.
Thursday, March 13, 1997
14.00 Welcoming Remarks
Hitoshi Osaki (Director General of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science)
Prof. Dr. Reimar Lüst (President of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation)
14.30 Prof. Kenichi Fukui (President of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science): Message
I. Science Policy and the Current Status of Basic Research in Japan and Germany
14.40 Elke Wülfing (Staatssekretärin Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie): Science Policy and the Current Status of Basic Research in Japan and Germany
15.05 Prof. Dr. Wataru Mori (Member of Council for Science and Technology): 'Science and Technology Basic Plan' in Japan
15.30 Discussion
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Peter Glotz (President of University of Erfurt)
16.00 Coffee break
II. Basic Research in the Promotion of Science
16.40 Prof. Dr. Minoru Oda (President of Tokyo University of Information Sciences): Some Japan's Approaches to the Basis of Science via Astrophysics
17.05 Prof. Dr. Hubert Markl (President of Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science): Basic Research, Applied Research: The Misleading Dichotomy
17.30 Discussion
Moderation: Dr. Wilhelm Krull (Secretary General of Volkswagenstiftung)
19.30 Dinner, Restaurant Hotel Königshof
Friday, March 14, 1997
III. Cultural Significance of Basic Research
09.00 Prof. Dr. Paul B. Baltes (Director of Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Education): On Culture and Society – If the Flame of Basic Research Burns Out
09.25 Prof. Dr. Syun Tutiya (Chiba University, Philosophy of Language, Text Processing): Three Concepts of Basic Research: Philosophical and Historical Reflections on the Cultural Significance of Basic Research
09.50 Discussion
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Dagmar Schipanski (Chairperson of Science Council)
10.20 Coffee break
IV. Basic Research in Practice
A. Contributions from Science and Research
10.50 Prof. Dr. Masao Itō (President of Science Council of Japan): How to mediate Outcome of Science to our Society
11.15 Prof. Dr. Klaus Pinkau (Director of Max Planck Institute for Plasmaphysics): Look up to the Stars, take care of the Lanes - Basic Research in Astrophysics and the Energy Problem
B. Contributions from Industrial Research
11.40 Prof. Dr. Ernst-Günter Afting (GSF-Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit): Pharmaceutical Break-Throughs and Basic Research
12.05 Prof. Dr. Makoto Kikuchi (Tokai University, Former Director of Sony Research): Fusion of Research and Development - some Case Histories at Sony
12.30 Discussion
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Barbara Bludau (Secretary General of Max Planck Society)
13.00 Lunch, Universitätsclub
V. Basic Research, Politics, Science Promotion and Industry: Mutual Expectations
14.30 Panel Discussion
Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Queisser (Max Planck Institute for Solid-State Physics)
Prof. Dr. Walter Kröll (Chairman of German Aerospace Research Establishment)
Prof. Dr. Makoto Kikuchi (Tokai University, Former Director of Sony Research)
Prof. Dr. Masao Itō (Chairman of Science Council of Japan)
Moderation and final remarks: Prof. Wolfgang Herrmann (President of TU München)