- Japan’s Defense Ministry agency received a record 123 applications from academic institutions under its security technology research program, triple last year’s number.
- The rise follows the Science Council of Japan's 2022 reversal on dual-use tech, acknowledging overlaps between civilian and defense applications.
- To attract more researchers, a new ¥1 billion subsidy program was launched, allowing scientists to pursue independent research rather than fulfill direct defense orders.
A research subsidy scheme provided by a Defense Ministry agency has drawn a record 123 applications from universities, technical colleges and research centers this financial year, close to three times that of the last year.
The Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency's 'security technology research promotion program' is intended to spur basic research in next-generation areas like artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
Among the factors for the surge in applications from universities is said to be an increased awareness of dual-use technology, which may find use in both civilian and military situations.
The program had a record-high 340 applications during this fiscal year, the agency stated. Of these, 123 came from the academic institutions, 134 from private companies and public interest incorporated associations, and 83 from independent administrative institutions and other public research institutions.
The agency introduced the program in fiscal 2015 with the objective of strengthening Japan's technology and scientific capabilities. The agency was also looking to find new technologies that might be used in the defense sector. The agency accepts proposals for research and will possibly fund ¥2 billion to pay for their costs over a span of up to five years.
The agency wants to create 'game-changing' equipment to revolutionize security tactics and enhance national defenses.
In 2017, the Science Council of Japan, a body that represents scientists, released a statement deeming the program problematic due to its apparent goal of creating defense equipment. Consequently, in fiscal 2018 and the couple of years thereafter, only roughly 10 applications each year were made by universities for the program.
Subsequently, in July 2022, the council reversed its previous position and essentially approved research on dual-use technology, stating that it is "unrealistic" to draw a clear-cut difference between technologies that can or cannot be utilized for defense purposes. The council further stated that it was unrealistic to use identical assessment parameters in all cases.
Since the council changed its position, increasingly universities have been seeking the program, with 23 applications in fiscal 2023 and 44 for fiscal 2024. Up to fiscal 2023, 28 applications from 22 universities had been accepted.
However, the scholarly world has fundamental biases against being engaged in national security, and institutions have stated that the conventional model of receiving research orders from the agency is not conducive to their applying. To address these issues, the agency introduced a new program this year with a ¥1 billion budget to subsidize research that researchers can carry out of their own volition.
