Toward Institutionalizing Participatory Technology
Assessment in Japan 4 Feb. 2004
Yukio Wakamatsu College of Science & Engineering
Tokyo Denki University Hatoyama, Saitama 350-0394 Japan
e-mail:[email protected]
Content My standpoint, and some reflections on pTA Pre-history of pTA in Japan Japanese experiences of participatory TA meth
ods 3 consensus conferences (1998, 99, 2000) 1 Scenario Workshop (2003)
“Game-ness” of the consensus conference method as a background for its “robustness”
Issues of designing pTA methods A Perspective of pTA in Japan
My Standpoint, and a reflection on pTA
As a practitioner & an advocate of pTA as well as a researcher
TA/pTA should be institutionalized As a necessary complement of indirect or r
epresentative democracy
Pre-history of pTA in Japan
Failure to introduce TA A New National Goal - Recognition
of the Need for “Participation” Trends toward public participation
Failure to introduce TA
1969: Introduction of TA concept into Japan 1971:TA concept introduced in a policy paper
– Science & Technology Council, Report No.5 Fall 1973: Oil Crisis In the late 1970’s, enthusiasm faded away Environmental Assessment
From municipalities’ effort(1980’s) to the national law(1997)
A New National Goal - Recognition of the Need
for Participation” In the early 1990’s: A search for a
national goal = Nation building through the promotion of science and technology
In 1995: the Science and Technology Basic Law; followed by Basic Plans (1996-2000, 2001-2005)
Trends toward public
participation “Public comment” system in 1999 “Public involvement” procedure (road con
struction & river management) Public participation widely observed in lo
cal & regional scenes Research programs such as “social tech
nology” program Academic society: JASTS estab. in 2001
Japanese Experiences of participatory TA
methods(1) 3 consensus conferences
1st trial: Gene therapy; 1998; Toyota Foundation & Nissan Science Foundation
2nd trial: High information society, esp. the internet; 1998; Nissan Science Foundation & Tokyo Denki University
Genetically modified crops; 2000; STAFF (Min. of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries)
Japanese Experiences of participatory TA
methods(2) A trial Scenario Workshop (May, 2003) Theme: The future of the Sanbanze shall
ow sea area and surrounding cities Organizer: a research project (sponsored
by RISTEX, Japan Science and Technology Agency)
Supported by Chiba Prefecture and the Round Table Committee
“Game-ness” of the consensus conference
as a background for its “robustness”
firmly constructed to be applied in wider contexts = robustness
supported and/or explained by its “game-ness” (game-like quality)
Applied in a particular culture, using available resources
The scenario workshop method?
Issues of designing pTA methods
How far we could/should intervene the workshop process?
The use of “script” in Danish & the US Lowell SW
Any pTA method has a limitation; time, resources etc.( facilitators’ skill)
Participants shouldn’t be assumed as experienced in a workshop-type activity
A Perspective of pTA in Japan
Over-expectations on pTA methods Importance of distinguishing between t
he pTA methods and the pTA forum A rough image of the pTA forum (or ins
titutionalization) in Japan Outside the government Relevant actors Impact on policy-making = a matter of pol
itical discussions