Foreword

  To observe trends in the development of Japan's science and technology from a long-term perspective, technology foresight surveys have been conducted in Japan about every five years since 1971, using the Delphi technique. Globally, a large number of countries, especially in Europe and Asia, have shown growing interest since the 1990s in technology foresight. To establish technology policy or technology development program, these countries have widely implemented technology foresight using such prediction methods as the Delphi technique.

  Under these circumstances in March 2000, our institute held the International Conference on Technology Foresight, subtitled with "The Approach to and the Potential for New Technology Foresight," in cooperation with APEC Center for Technology Foresight and the Tsukuba EXPO'85 Memorial Foundation.

  At this conference, the latest news was reported concerning technology foresight studies being conducted in various countries and regions. At the same time, participants discussed and exchanged opinions on the future, techniques, and applications of technology foresight. On the whole, the conference brought about highly significant results.

  This report provides a summary of the conference to interested parties. We have the expectation that this will help them in conducting foresight studies in the future.

  We sincerely thank those, including lecturers and participants, for the cooperation they extended in holding the conference and compiling this report.