Japanese S&T Minister Iwao Matsuda to Lecture at AAAS on 3 May

For the first time, Japan’s Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, Iwao Matsuda, will describe his country’s innovation strategy to a U.S. audience Wednesday 3 May at AAAS headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The public is invited to hear Minister Matsuda’s speech—“Innovator Japan: Japan’s New Science and Technology Strategy”—during an event organized by AAAS, the Japanese Embassy and the Washington Science Policy Alliance (WSPA).

The free public lecture will take place at AAAS, the world’s largest general scientific society, 1200 New York Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. AAAS is located at 12th and H Streets, N.W. (Metro Center subway stop). An informal breakfast will be served on the second floor of the AAAS building at 7:30 a.m., with the lecture to follow. There is no charge for the breakfast or the lecture, but seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Minister Matsuda is expected to focus on how Japan, a country poor in natural resources, can achieve continuous progress in science and technology. In particular, Minister Matsuda will discuss Japan’s “Third Science and Technology Basic Plan,” including Japanese priorities and targets related to the Japanese government’s science and technology investment over the next five years.

He will be introduced by Alan I. Leshner, chief executive officer for AAAS and executive publisher of the journal Science. Following his remarks, Minister Matsuda will answer questions from reporters and others in the audience.

Iwao Matsuda was appointed Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy in 2005. He also holds the position of Minister of State for Information Technology. He was elected to Japan’s House of Councillors from Gifu Prefecture in 1998 and reelected in 2004. He served as Senior Vice Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry in 2001 and Chief Director of the Committee on Economy and Industry from 2002 to 2004. Prior to his election to the House of Councillors, he served three terms in the House of Representatives. Minister Matsuda is a graduate of the Faculty of Law of the University of Tokyo.

To attend, reporters must RSVP by contacting Lonnie Shekhtman by email or at 202-326-6434. Non-reporters should send an e-mail to rsvp@aaas.org by 5:00 p.m. Monday 1 May.

Ginger Pinholster

25 April 2006