Science for Society

Science requires openness. Only when it is free from external constraints can it fully unfold its potential as a driver of innovation. At the same time, science bears a responsibility toward society. Ideally, it does not take place in an “ivory tower,” but instead responds to the concrete needs of a global community facing increasingly complex challenges and seeking to base its decisions on sound evidence. To make this possible, it is essential to place greater emphasis than ever before on the audiences science serves. The major questions of our time cannot be answered merely in and for society, but above all with society. This can only succeed if research becomes more participatory.

International networking plays a crucial role in this context. Science is a global team effort that benefits enormously from multicultural and multi-perspective frameworks. With its broad expertise and worldwide presence, the network of German Centers for Research and Innovation both reflects the reality of today’s globally interconnected research landscape and serves as an important platform for sustaining urgently needed international cooperation, even in times of challenging geopolitical shifts.

Since the concept of “Society 5.0” was introduced in the 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan (2016), Japan has systematically targeted research at society’s needs in a bid to address the far-reaching demographic challenges facing the country. The 6th Basic Plan, which will conclude in March 2026, focuses on healthy longevity, societal resilience and the use of AI and digital technologies to boost productivity.

The new 7th Basic Plan is set to continue on this course with a greater focus on how science can serve society and the economy. Amid growing global crises, the aim is to take an “actionable science” approach to ensure that research findings can be deployed more quickly in response to potential new pandemics, natural disasters and other disruptive events. To reach this goal, Japan plans to expand research capacity and strengthen international partnerships.

Removing barriers in higher education

One characteristic feature of Japan’s approach to research transfer is the way it forms an integral part of daily life in the country’s higher education and research institutions. Alongside conventional departments responsible for research transfer and collaboration with industry, Japanese universities maintain a nationwide network of university research administrators (URAs) who function as technology scouts as well as bridges betewenbetween research, industry and funding bodies. Furthermore, national research funding programs are keen to ensure that research can be leveraged to benefit society and the economy and require evidence of this to be provided even in the application phase.

As a “network society”, Japan creates diverse formal and informal communication channels in which to continually weigh up the interests of stakeholders from science, industry and society – based on a broad consensus on the central role that research, development and innovation play in social stability, economic competitiveness and overcoming long-term challenges.

For the DWIH Tokyo, linking Japan’s expertise in mission-oriented research with the strengths and needs of the German science system remains a key priority for our programme in 2026. Our plans include various exchange formats in cooperation with the AHK Tokyo, NRW.Global Business and the universities of Jena and Rostock. Our fifth AI symposium will be dedicated to the safe, ethically responsible and sustainable use of artificial intelligence. Green hydrogen also features prominently in our programme as a prime example of the need to swiftly and effectively translate research data into real-world applications.