Introduction 

	Promoting creative basic research has now become one of the most important themes of Japan's science and technology policies. However, there is still much development required regarding the concept of basic research and managerial views. In January 1990 Yukihiro Hirano and Chiaki Nishigata from the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) compiled a report entitled "Basic Research in Major Companies of Japan (NISTEP REPORT No. 8)" with the aim of shedding some light on basic research carried out by private companies that have been exhibiting distinctive movements since the latter half of the 1980s. The report highlighted the apprehensions felt about basic research by public research establishments, which are essentially in a position where they should be conducting this research, and what was generally expected of them. And we felt that there was a strong need to examine the state of basic research by these research establishments. 
	To this end, we decided to examine the state of basic research in government laboratories. We decided to adopt the same survey method as that used in the examination of basic research in private companies. Research officials involved in research management at government laboratories or public research establishments with similar functions were invited to seminars held at NISTEP with the aim of illuminating the characteristics of basic research at public research establishments and the problems affecting its management. The seminars took the form of presentations by the quest speakers, and discussions among researchers at NISTEP and government officials responsible for science and technology policy at the Science and Technology Agency, etc. 
	From among the range of points clarified at the series of seminars, this report identifies and examines the various problems affecting the conduct of basic research at government laboratories. The report also incorporates studies carried out by us, independent of the seminars. Responsibility for the wording of this report is assumed entirely by the authors. 
	In conjunction with this study, we sent a questionnaire to directors of government laboratories regarding the research environment at their respective laboratories. Results of this questionnaire have been included in the text of this report where necessary, while a general summary of the questionnaire and results are attached for reference as an annex. 
	Finally, we should like to express our sincere gratitude to the following people who found time within their busy schedules to attend the series of seminars and share their knowledge and experience with us, and also to the liaison conferences of directors of institutes under the direct control of the various ministries, and the government laboratory directors for their valuable cooperation with the questionnaires. 

Professor Yoji Ikawa 
Chief, The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) 
Professor, Tokyo Medical and Dental University 
(Presentation - 31 May 1990) 

Dr. Hiroshi Maeda 
Director, 1st Research Group, National Research Institute for Metals, Science and Technology Agency 
(Presentation - 7 June 1990) 

Dr. Shin-ichi Shirasaki 
Supervising researcher, First Research Group. National Institute for Research in Inorganic Materials, Science and Technology Agency 
(Presentation - 14 June 1990) 

Dr. Junichi Shimada 
Director, Optoelectronics Division, Electrotechnical Laboratory, Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, Ministry of International Trade and Industry 
(Presentation - 12 July 1990) 

Dr. Nobuyoshi Fugono 
Director-General, Communications Research Laboratory, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications 
(Presentation - 18 July 1990) 

Professor Atsunobu Ichikawa 
Deputy Director, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Environment Agency 
Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology 
(Presentation - 27 July 1990) 

Dr. Yuzuru Akamatsu 
Director, Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health and Welfare 
(Presentation - 21 September 1990) 

Dr. Nobuo Murata 
Director, Eco-Physiology Research Division, Tropical Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Presentation - 11 October 1990) 

Dr. Yasuyoshi Watanabe 
Department Head 
Department of Neuroscience 
Osaka Bioscience Institute 
(Presentation - 1 November 1990) 

Dr. Kazuaki Takashima 
Deputy Director-General 
National Aerospace Laboratory, Science and Technology Agency 
(Presentation - 14 March 1991) 

Dr. Katsuomi Takehira 
Director, Research Planning Office, National Chemical Laboratory for Industry, Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, Ministry of International Trade and Industry 
(Presentation - 20 March 1991) 


Dr. Hiroyuki Yamanouchi 
Director, Vibration Research Office, Structural Engineering Department. Building Research Institute. Ministry of Construction (Presentation - 22 April 1991) 

Note: Titles/positions of lecturers shown are those current at the time of presentation.