Survey of Japanese Science in 1972

The director of the centre explains how Japan has adopted a unified approach to research on disaster prevention.

Much of the research into cardiac surgery depends on donations from industry and individuals.

The discovery in Japan of how to manufacture l amino-acids with microorganisms was a tremendous stimulus to research cooperation.

Dr Devey describes how government, industry and the universities are cooperating in a large computing project.

Mr Nakasone, Minister of State for Science and Technology, puts forward the view that the “soft” sciences will have to be encouraged more strongly in the future.

Active research involving many different aspects of genetics has led to exciting discoveries at the National Institute of Genetics.

The characteristic features of Japan—for example its situation on a boundary between tectonic plates—explain its extreme susceptibility to natural disasters. Dr Terada is a former director of the National Research Centre for Disaster Prevention.

The Ca ion has many functions in living organisms. In this article, the mode of action of the Ca ion in regulating the contractile processes of muscle through the troponin-tropomyosin system is briefly described.

Dr Shima, president of the National Space Development Agency, sets out Japan's future plans for space research.

Rail travel in Japan has been revolutionized in the past ten years by the advent of the “bullet train”.

Professor Katsunuma summarizes the causes and results of the recent student troubles at Tokyo University.

Japan has always made extensive use of the sea, and the Japan Marine Science and Technology Centre will help to provide the multidisciplinary skills needed to tap oil, gas and manganese nodules from the seafloor.

The views of Dr Sibatani, a scientist who left Japan six years ago, must of necessity be impressionistic and suffer from inaccuracy. But he is not bound by emotional involvements, personal considerations or official responsibility.

Dr Ochi is president of the Science Council of Japan. In this article he traces the history, functions and activities of the council from its foundation just after the Second World War.

Professor Hidaka traces the development of oceanography in Japan from its inception a century ago.

Dr Mori, director of the Electrotechnical Laboratory, describes how the laboratory has developed over the years and how it is now contributing to the national research effort.

Techniques for predicting earthquakes are improving, but the work is being hampered by unrest at the Earthquake Research Institute.

Professor Kakiuchi surveys the state of research in the universities—both national and private—and pinpoints the improvements that could be made.