The Japanese government has proposed its fiscal 2012 science and technology budget of ¥3,648.5 billion ($45.6 billion). The amount marks an increase of 2.1% and accounts for 0.75% of the country’s GDP. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is designated ¥586.2 billion, an increase of 8.8%. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) will receive ¥2,449.4 billion, a 5.4% increase. The proposed budget includes ¥263,300 million for Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, which are unsolicited awards for investigator-led basic research, a 31% increase. The MEXT budget also includes continued funding for a basic research program administered by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (¥51,049 million), regenerative medicine projects (¥3,800 million) and brain science research (¥3,590 million). It also includes new funding for strategic promotion programs for next-generation cancer research (¥3,600 million) and science and technology (¥8,000 million). Another new addition is the ability for researchers to carry over unused grants funds from one fiscal year to the next. The Diet is expected to pass the budget with few changes by the end of March.

Source: National Science Foundation