How can we develop human resources to create social value?

Kan Hiroshi SUZUKI born in1964. Professor at Graduate school of public policy, the University of Tokyo, and at Keio University (cross-appointment), invited professor at Osaka University, bureau member of OECD Education 2030, global board member of Teach for All, and counsellor at the Japan Football Association. Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law. After working for the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and as an associate professor at Keio University, he was a member of the House of Councillors for 12 years. Served as State-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (two terms) and Ministerial Aide of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (four terms). Additionally, he visited Shoukason-juku in Hagi many times to realize the limitless potential of young people, awakening him to the importance of Education and presiding over the Suzukan Seminar since 1995, which has trained many leading Japanese entrepreneurs in IT, life sciences and social fields.

In Japan, the biggest problem is that the number of PhDs per head of population is lower than in other industrialised countries, and Japan is the only industrialised country where the number of PhDs is declining, while companies are not making full use of doctoral personnel. The proportion of young university main faculty members is also declining, which is a vicious situation for a knowledge-based society. Measures have been taken by ministries and agencies in recent years to improve this situation. The Cabinet Office has created a 10 trillion yen university support fund and started to support the increase in the number of young posts at universities.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology（MEXT）provides direct financial support to doctoral students. Efforts are being made to reform postgraduate education to foster intellectual professionals who create new knowledge, are active globally and lead the future. MEXT implements the Distinguished Researcher Programme to provide young researchers with a stable and independent research environment. Some universities have initiated the Graduate School of Excellence Programme and the Leading Programme for Doctoral Education to train PhDs of the highest standard, based on its own strengths and in collaboration with other universities, research institutions and private companies. The Career Support Portal for Research Personnel (JREC-I) provides researchers with information on job offers and job searches.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) provides support for matching young researchers from universities and businesses.