Japan’s R&D Policy: The Key to Sustainable Economic Strength in the 21st Century
Recently appointed RIKEN Executive Director Shigeharu Kato will discuss RIKEN's role and strategy as an esteemed leading institution of Japan's national R&D and also lessons from the STAP cell scientific misconduct scandal.
Success in R&D is critical to Japan’s economic future, and skillful management of R&D is more important than ever. The example of the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, better known as RIKEN, shows the full range of possible outcomes in R&D, from the glory of Nobel Prizes to an embarrassing scandal over scientific misconducts in STAP cell research. Please join the Harvard community for a talk by Shigeharu Kato, Executive Director of RIKEN who was recently chosen to help lead that institution as it approaches its 100th anniversary in 2017 while dealing with the fallout from the STAP scandal. Mr. Kato (HKS MPP ’86) will describe the lessons Riken has learned from the past and the strategy it is embracing to maintain its leading role in Japan’s R&D effort.
Shigeharu Kato graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1980 and entered the Science and Technology Agency (which was integrated into the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2001). Mr. Kato has engaged mainly with science and technology policy, development of nuclear technology and safety regulations for nuclear energy. Mr. Kato studied at Harvard’s Kennedy School from 1984 to 1986 earning a master's degree of public policy. In recent years, Mr. Kato was engaged with international cooperation in the fields of education and science through UNESCO and Southeast Asian regional framework.
At RIKEN, Mr. Kato served first as senior manager to support President Ryozo Noyori when the institute became an independent administrative agency in 2003. In 2014, Mr. Kato returned to RIKEN as Special Advisor to the President to help address challenges including the STAP cells case. Mr. Kato was designated Executive Director under new President Hiroshi Matsumoto in April 2015.
DATE and TIME: Tueday September 15th , 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Doors open at 18:30pm.)
PLACE: Roppongi Hills Club, 51 floor Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Admission 6,000 yen includes buffet dinner with cash bar for all beverages.
REGISTRATION: Please use the form right on the right side of this page.
Please register by September11th. All cancellations after that date and no-shows will be invoiced. Your understanding is appreciated.