On October 2020, 10, President Yuko Tanaka of Hosei University refused to appoint six of the 5 researchers recommended by the Japan Academic Council as new members, including Yoko Kato, a professor at the University of Tokyo, and Yoshihide Suga. In question, he issued a message that strongly criticized the refusal of appointment as an act that undermines academic freedom guaranteed by the Constitution.
According to Hosei University, President Tanaka argues that while the Science Council of Japan is under the jurisdiction of the prime minister, it is an independent institution that has been recognized by the government and successive prime ministers for its independence and autonomy.He pointed out that the members are the best researchers in the country, including Nobel laureates, and the prime minister cannot make an appointment based on the quality of the research.
The refusal to appoint this time will not only impair academic freedom but also the interests of the people, and if it contradicts the government's response at the time of the revision of the Science Council Law, which states that "we will not refuse what is recommended by the academic society", Kan He strongly criticized the prime minister.In addition, the government is not fulfilling the essential accountability of the administration for the lack of clear reasons for refusal to appoint.
Regarding the future, he said that if there was an unfair act that violated academic freedom in the government, he would not forgive it, and he said that he would continue to question the issue of refusal of appointment in cooperation with domestic and foreign networks.
reference:[Hosei University] Message from the President Regarding the refusal to appoint a member of the Science Council of Japan
[Science Council of Japan] Request Form for Appointment of New Members for the 25th Term (PDF)
