That vision is one of several recommmendations in a report to Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone by the Space Development Committee. It is meant as a guide for government ministries as they seek budget approval for specific projects in the years ahead.
Japan's space program employs about 8,000 people, the report noted, including about 3,500 researchers and technicians. That number is projected to reach 40,000, including 20,000 researchers, by the year 2000, according to H. Fujimura of the Science and Technology Agency's study and development office.
But meeting this goal will not be easy, the report acknowledged, because of Japan's limited facilities for training new space scientists. The National Institute for Space Research here, which focuses on research, hopes to add a substantial educational component that will include fellowships and post-doctoral training. Even so, it's clear that Japan also will have to send suitable candidates abroad for training, or invite Western ...
