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Japan’s status as a science superstar is vulnerable. Nature Index 2017 Japan reveals that although the country is still among the upper echelons of global research, its output has continued to slide. This issue examines Japan’s efforts to arrest the decline and return to form as an innovative nation. The government’s structural reforms designed to negate the effects of deep university funding cuts are a start, but their effect will take time and success is far from certain.
Nobel laureate Yoshinori Ohsumi's persistent study of baker's yeast spawned an exciting new field, and proves the value of supporting scientists in pursuit of their passion