Among the various needs identified, it is believed that maintaining and strengthening the future of Japanese science, technology and international competitiveness will support the exploits of young researchers, female researchers and foreign researchers at institutions geared to mount appropriate responses to the needs of the new era, while mobilizing the skills of highly capable researchers of advanced age. The nurturing of competent human resources firmly targeting the future is also a critical component in the quest to both support and enhance the scientific and technological capabilities of Japan in addressing the dilemma of young people turning away from science subjects, the declining national birthrate and other stiff challenges.

With regard to foreign researchers in particular, efforts to promote the invitation and appointment of outstanding researchers from other countries will require support for the establishment of hosting systems, based on considerations of the need for housing, children's education and other aspects of the lifestyle environment. Advancing the active involvement of overseas researchers is a must for realizing fruitful global bases of research and education, while successfully promoting the hosting and acceptance of such individuals will require improvements in the immigration control and visa issuing systems, institutionalization of the personal guarantor system and other progress.

An area with major links to JISTEC business operations is the strategic promotion of globalization activities in the fields of science and technology. Among the key points in this realm, progress in the following areas will be necessary to achieve energetic and lasting research activities: (1) Creation of internationally appealing research bases; (2) expanded hiring of overseas researchers; and (3) establishment of science and technology communities in East Asia, and manifestation of initiative therein.

JISTEC is now active in a diverse range of programs and efforts in support of globalization activities in the fields of scientific and technological learning based on Japanese policy. They include the hosting of foreign researchers through fellowship systems, lifestyle support programs for such foreign researchers and their families, organizing and administration of international conferences and other global exchange programs between researchers in Japan and abroad, networking with foreign researchers who have returned to their own countries, programs to promote strengthened globalization at national, public and private universities active in creating models to advance globalization at the university and other levels and so forth.

We sincerely hope that you will examine the contents of the international exchange and globalization promotion programs of JISTEC, and look forward to your precious understanding and support of JISTEC activities as a nonprofit foundation.