Basic Research in Japan and Germany

Similarities and Differences, Current Problems and Tendencies

jointly organized by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and Alexander von Humbold-Stiftung (AvH)

Date: March 13–14, 1997
Venue: 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.
 

PROGRAM

March 13th

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

Message

Prof. Kenichi Fukui (President of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science)

 

I. Science Policy and the Current Status of Basic Research in Japan and Germany

14:40

Science Policy and the Current Status of Basic Research in Japan and Germany

Elke Wülfing (Staatssekretärin Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie)

 

15:05

'Science and Technology Basic Plan' in Japan

Prof. Dr. Wataru Mori (Member of Council for Science and Technology)

 

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

Some Japan's Approaches to the Basis of Science via Astrophysics

Prof. Dr. Minoru Oda (President of Tokyo University of Information Sciences)

 

17:05

Basic Research, Applied Research: The Misleading Dichotomy

Prof. Dr. Hubert Markl (President of Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science)

 

17:30

Discussion
Moderation: Dr. Wilhelm Krull (Secretary General of Volkswagenstiftung)

 

19:30

Dinner, Restaurant Hotel Königshof

 

March 14th

III. Cultural Significance of Basic Research

09:00

On Culture and Society – If the Flame of Basic Research Burns Out

Prof. Dr. Paul B. Baltes (Director of Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Education)

 

09:25

Three Concepts of Basic Research: Philosophical and Historical Reflections on the Cultural Significance of Basic Research

Prof. Dr. Syun Tutiya (Chiba University, Philosophy of Language, Text Processing)

 

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

Pharmaceutical Break-Throughs and Basic Research

Prof. Dr. Ernst-Günter Afting (GSF-Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit)

 

12:05

Fusion of Research and Development - some Case Histories at Sony

Prof. Dr. Makoto Kikuchi (Tokai University, Former Director of Sony Research)

 

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)