Japan builds near $700M fund to lure foreign academic talent
(2025/06/16)
- Reference: 1750091169
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2025/06/16/japan_has_a_yen_for/
- Source link:
Japan is the latest nation hoping to tempt disgruntled US researchers alarmed by the Trump administration's hostile attitude to academia to relocate to the Land of the Rising Sun.
The Japanese government aims to create an elite research environment, and has detailed a ¥100 billion ($693 million) package to attract researchers from abroad, including those from America who may have seen their budgets slashed or who fear a clampdown on their academic freedom.
American science put on starvation diet [1]READ MORE
[2]Kyodo News Plus said the measures are in recognition of the growing global competition to attract the best talent, in fields such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. It isn't therefore aimed at just researchers from the US, but they are seen as a key target.
This is because the Trump administration making a number of [3]cuts to scientific funding in America, including to the [4]NASA budget and the [5]National Science Foundation , and has specifically targeted [6]diversity and equality efforts.
Minoru Kiuchi, Japan's Minister in charge of Economic Security, said: "We will make utmost efforts to make our country the most attractive in the world for researchers." He also serves as Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy.
[7]
This new policy package is expected to fund various programs, including a plan by Tohoku University in Sendai to spend around ¥30 billion ($208 million) to recruit about 500 researchers from Japan and abroad.
[8]
[9]
Japan's move follows an [10]announcement in May from the European Commission (EC) that it wanted to make Europe the home of science by tempting researchers and scientists to relocate there.
The " [11]Choose Europe " scheme is to include a €500 million ($566 million) package for 2025-2027 to make Europe "a magnet for researchers," with EC President Ursula von der Leyen saying it would promote the region as a world-leading center of research, innovation, and scientific freedom.
[12]
This came after the launch of the [13]Safe Place For Science program by Aix-Marseille University in the south of France a month earlier. This was setup with the intention of offering a "safe and stimulating environment" for American researchers wishing to pursue their work free from persecution.
Not to be outdone, the geologically slow wheels of the British Parliament rolled into action, resulting in the Parliamentary Science, Innovation and Technology Committee [14]penning a letter to the Minister for Science Lord Patrick Vallance , asking for more effort to lure disaffected US academics to Blighty.
Britain is hoping to attract ten specific classes of researchers, but the relevant scheme is only likely to get £50 million ($67 million) in funding.
[15]Uncle Sam claims H-1B fraud crackdown is working as registrations drop 25%
[16]US govt's science foundation purges 37 divisions, equity unit among casualties
[17]Revenge of the nerds: Teachers, professors sue to undo Trump science funding cuts
[18]Trump says US should kill CHIPS Act, use the cash to cut debt
Chinyelu "Chi" Onwurah, the Member of Parliament for Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central and West, called for the government to go further and deliver targeted support for scientists seeking to leave the US, and consider options such as relaxing visa requirements.
"Some universities in Europe have already begun to actively recruit researchers from the US, and countries such as Netherlands and Australia have set up funds to recruit top foreign scientists," wrote Onwurah.
[19]
However, Japan's plans to attract semiconductor talent could be boosted by the fact its government is already pouring billions into kick-starting advanced silicon manufacturing in the country via [20]Rapidus , a company setup in 2022 with the goal of manufacturing 2nm chips by 2027. ®
Get our [21]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/30/american_science_put_on_starvation/
[2] https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/06/788a2be639bb-japan-draws-up-100-bil-yen-policy-to-attract-foreign-researchers.html
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/25/us_funding_science_cuts_lawsuit/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/02/nasa_funding_slashed/
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/21/nsf_staff_cut/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/21/nsf_cancel_awards_dei/
[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2aFCT9h3ezlDjyunEIgjTpgAAAAI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[8] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aFCT9h3ezlDjyunEIgjTpgAAAAI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[9] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aFCT9h3ezlDjyunEIgjTpgAAAAI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/06/eu_us_science_scheme/
[11] https://commission.europa.eu/topics/research-and-innovation/choose-europe_en
[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aFCT9h3ezlDjyunEIgjTpgAAAAI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[13] https://www.univ-amu.fr/en/public/actualites/safe-place-science-aix-marseille-universite-ready-welcome-american-scientists
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/09/uk_draws_us_scientists/
[15] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/15/h1b_applications_droped/
[16] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/09/nsf_axes_37_division/
[17] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/25/us_funding_science_cuts_lawsuit/
[18] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/05/trump_speech_scrap_chips_act/
[19] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aFCT9h3ezlDjyunEIgjTpgAAAAI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[20] https://www.theregister.com/2022/11/11/japan_rapidus/
[21] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
The Japanese government aims to create an elite research environment, and has detailed a ¥100 billion ($693 million) package to attract researchers from abroad, including those from America who may have seen their budgets slashed or who fear a clampdown on their academic freedom.
American science put on starvation diet [1]READ MORE
[2]Kyodo News Plus said the measures are in recognition of the growing global competition to attract the best talent, in fields such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. It isn't therefore aimed at just researchers from the US, but they are seen as a key target.
This is because the Trump administration making a number of [3]cuts to scientific funding in America, including to the [4]NASA budget and the [5]National Science Foundation , and has specifically targeted [6]diversity and equality efforts.
Minoru Kiuchi, Japan's Minister in charge of Economic Security, said: "We will make utmost efforts to make our country the most attractive in the world for researchers." He also serves as Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy.
[7]
This new policy package is expected to fund various programs, including a plan by Tohoku University in Sendai to spend around ¥30 billion ($208 million) to recruit about 500 researchers from Japan and abroad.
[8]
[9]
Japan's move follows an [10]announcement in May from the European Commission (EC) that it wanted to make Europe the home of science by tempting researchers and scientists to relocate there.
The " [11]Choose Europe " scheme is to include a €500 million ($566 million) package for 2025-2027 to make Europe "a magnet for researchers," with EC President Ursula von der Leyen saying it would promote the region as a world-leading center of research, innovation, and scientific freedom.
[12]
This came after the launch of the [13]Safe Place For Science program by Aix-Marseille University in the south of France a month earlier. This was setup with the intention of offering a "safe and stimulating environment" for American researchers wishing to pursue their work free from persecution.
Not to be outdone, the geologically slow wheels of the British Parliament rolled into action, resulting in the Parliamentary Science, Innovation and Technology Committee [14]penning a letter to the Minister for Science Lord Patrick Vallance , asking for more effort to lure disaffected US academics to Blighty.
Britain is hoping to attract ten specific classes of researchers, but the relevant scheme is only likely to get £50 million ($67 million) in funding.
[15]Uncle Sam claims H-1B fraud crackdown is working as registrations drop 25%
[16]US govt's science foundation purges 37 divisions, equity unit among casualties
[17]Revenge of the nerds: Teachers, professors sue to undo Trump science funding cuts
[18]Trump says US should kill CHIPS Act, use the cash to cut debt
Chinyelu "Chi" Onwurah, the Member of Parliament for Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central and West, called for the government to go further and deliver targeted support for scientists seeking to leave the US, and consider options such as relaxing visa requirements.
"Some universities in Europe have already begun to actively recruit researchers from the US, and countries such as Netherlands and Australia have set up funds to recruit top foreign scientists," wrote Onwurah.
[19]
However, Japan's plans to attract semiconductor talent could be boosted by the fact its government is already pouring billions into kick-starting advanced silicon manufacturing in the country via [20]Rapidus , a company setup in 2022 with the goal of manufacturing 2nm chips by 2027. ®
Get our [21]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/30/american_science_put_on_starvation/
[2] https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/06/788a2be639bb-japan-draws-up-100-bil-yen-policy-to-attract-foreign-researchers.html
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/25/us_funding_science_cuts_lawsuit/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/02/nasa_funding_slashed/
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/21/nsf_staff_cut/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/21/nsf_cancel_awards_dei/
[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2aFCT9h3ezlDjyunEIgjTpgAAAAI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[8] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aFCT9h3ezlDjyunEIgjTpgAAAAI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[9] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aFCT9h3ezlDjyunEIgjTpgAAAAI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/06/eu_us_science_scheme/
[11] https://commission.europa.eu/topics/research-and-innovation/choose-europe_en
[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aFCT9h3ezlDjyunEIgjTpgAAAAI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[13] https://www.univ-amu.fr/en/public/actualites/safe-place-science-aix-marseille-universite-ready-welcome-american-scientists
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/09/uk_draws_us_scientists/
[15] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/15/h1b_applications_droped/
[16] https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/09/nsf_axes_37_division/
[17] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/25/us_funding_science_cuts_lawsuit/
[18] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/05/trump_speech_scrap_chips_act/
[19] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aFCT9h3ezlDjyunEIgjTpgAAAAI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[20] https://www.theregister.com/2022/11/11/japan_rapidus/
[21] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Typical of HMG
UCAP
Trying to do everything on the cheap then wondering why the get zero return on Thier in investment.
Re: Typical of HMG
Tron
What did you expect? They've taken much more cash than that away from UK unis with government policies that restrict foreign talent.
The government's primary aim is to reduce net inflow, undermining Reform. Regardless of the damage.
Any cash for this would be a token gesture. Many UK unis are in such a state now, UK academics and researchers will be applying for Euro and JP funded escape. This is not entirely due to government failure though. Some unis have been very badly run, spending huge amounts on the pay of senior management, consultants, and vanity projects. In the end, academics and students suffer and courses get cut.
"the geologically slow wheels of the British Parliament"
Make that wheel in the singular. I'm not sure they'd even fund a unicycle but w wheel on a stick like they use to measure roads might just be affordable.