Toward Institutionalizing Participatory Technology Assessment in Japan 4 Feb Yukio Wakamatsu College of Science & Engineering Tokyo Denki University Hatoyama, Saitama Japan

Content My standpoint, and some reflections on pTA Pre-history of pTA in Japan Japanese experiences of participatory TA methods 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 representative 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 ( , )

Trends toward public participation “Public comment” system in 1999 “Public involvement” procedure (road construction & river management) Public participation widely observed in local & regional scenes Research programs such as “ social technology ” program Academic society: JASTS estab. in 2001

Japanese Experiences of participatory TA methods(1) 3 consensus conferences 1 st trial: Gene therapy; 1998; Toyota Foundation & Nissan Science Foundation 2 nd 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 shallow 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 the pTA methods and the pTA forum A rough image of the pTA forum (or institutionalization) in Japan Outside the government Relevant actors Impact on policy-making = a matter of political discussions