I went to Japan last week as part of activities at KAIST Science and Diplomacy Center. It was clear that it was confirmed at the scene. Japan was redefining science and expertise as a key axis of nationwide technique, financial safety, and diplomatic technique, not simply industrial coverage.
In the seventh Basic Plan for Science and Technology and Innovation, which was finalized in April, the Takaichi authorities proposed a blueprint to broaden authorities R&D funding from 30 trillion yen to 60 trillion yen over the subsequent 5 years, and enhance private-public mixed funding from 120 trillion yen to 180 trillion yen.
Science and expertise cooperation between the U.S. and Japan can also be quickly increasing. A living proof is the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission. Japan participated as its first worldwide associate last month to promote $1 billion in cooperation with the United States in synthetic intelligence (AI), quantum, fusion, bio, superior supplies, and autonomous laboratories for science.
This pattern has vital implications for Korea. Amid the competitors for technological hegemony between the U.S. and China, Korea and Japan ought to strengthen science and expertise cooperation as Asian neighbors and international center powers that share core values such as democracy, market economic system, rule of regulation, and human rights. In the period of AI revolution and expertise safety, the area for future-oriented cooperation ought to be expanded.
Recently, there was a optimistic pattern. Based on the shuttle diplomacy between the leaders of Korea and Japan, the 2 international locations determined to maintain the Korea-Japan Science and Technology Cooperation Committee in November last 12 months for the primary time in 16 years to promote cooperation in AI, quantum, area, and bio fields. In February this 12 months, the 2nd Korea-Japan ICT Policy Forum was held to strengthen cooperation in AI, digital standardization, and cybersecurity.
Korea has strengths in AI semiconductors, reminiscence, batteries, nuclear energy plant building and operation, info and communication, digital well being, and area. Japan has competitiveness in primary science, supplies, elements, and gear, precision manufacturing, robots, supercomputing, area, and nuclear energy plant elements.
Now, Korea-Japan science and expertise diplomacy ought to start in earnest. A joint analysis community ought to be established to join universities and analysis institutes in each international locations, and sensible joint analysis and cooperation initiatives ought to be promoted in AI security, semiconductor provide chains, SMR, fusion, hydrogen, area and moon exploration, and bio-infectious illness response. It can also be needed to broaden exchanges between younger scientists and science and expertise coverage abilities.
Three-way cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan can also be vital. Combining the U.S. National Institute and Strategic Technology Platform, Japan’s primary science, materials, and precision manufacturing capabilities, and Korea’s industrialization and utility expertise capabilities can create a robust cooperative mannequin in AI, semiconductors, quantum, SMR, area, bio, and core mineral provide chains.
Furthermore, Korea and Japan ought to broaden cooperation in third international locations such as ASEAN. Combining Korea’s digital infrastructure, batteries, nuclear energy vegetation, and sensible metropolis capabilities with Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), finance, requirements, and manufacturing expertise can present a dependable science and expertise cooperation package deal to Southeast Asian international locations.
The nationwide energy of the twenty first century is determined by who develops, controls, and hyperlinks cutting-edge applied sciences to worldwide norms. In addition to the high-tech alliance with the United States, Korea ought to strengthen cooperation in science and expertise between Korea and Japan and broaden it to cooperation between Korea, the United States and Japan and international cooperation.
[Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, Advisory Chairman of KAIST Science and Diplomacy Center]