Second Meeting

Thursday, February 22, 2001

Meeting Agenda

1. Matters relating to a motion for approval of assignment of members to attend a regional hearing

Location: Miyagi Prefecture

Date: Monday, April 16, 2001

2. Matters relating to the Constitution of Japan (A vision for Japan in the 21st century)

After statements were heard from Dr. HAYASHIZAKI Yoshihide and Prof. OGAWA
Naohiro concerning the above matters, questions were put to them.

Informants

  • HAYASHIZAKI Yoshihide, Project Director, Genome Exploration Research Group, Genomic Sciences Center, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN)
  • OGAWA Naohiro, Professor, College of Economics, Nihon University; Deputy Director, Nihon University Population Research Institute (NUPRI)

Members who put questions to Dr. HAYASHIZAKI

Members who put questions to Prof. OGAWA


Main points of Dr. HAYASHIZAKI's statement

Introduction

Before presenting my statement, I will explain some technical terms.
genome: the set of genetic information necessary for an organism to pass through its life cycle cDNA (complementary DNA): a copy of primary genetic material protein: a string of amino acids, of which there are twenty kinds genomic sequence: a sequence of four bases which constitutes a genetic code full-length cDNA: cDNA in its complete form, which is able to synthesize proteins

1. The History of the Genomic Sciences

Research into the genomic sequence has been in progress since the late 20th century. In February 2001, two historic breakthroughs were announced: the draft sequences of the human genome were determined, and full-length cDNA clones of all the mouse genes were produced. These events herald a new era in the life sciences.

2. Transformation of the Life Sciences Based on Accelerated Progress and Increasing

Integration of the Genomic Sciences The genomic sciences form the foundation of all the life sciences. International competition is intensifying in various fields related to the life sciences, including drug development, foods, and the environment. Progress in the genomic sciences has also led to integration among scientific disciplines and among industries. Amid these worldwide trends, Japan has been a late starter in terms of personnel and the socioeconomic structure.

3. The Educational Administration

The life sciences are an interdisciplinary field, that is, they require knowledge and skills that encompass many different branches of science. Accordingly, they require personnel with expertise in multiple disciplines, but Japan's existing education system does not encourage the development of such personnel.

4. The Patent Administration

The genomic sciences produce results not in material form but in the form of the value of information. Under the policy now in place, DNA base sequences and three- dimensional protein structures cannot be patented as such; instead, patents are granted only for sequences and structures that are proved to have practical utility. However, their utility ought not to be recognized solely on the basis of computer predictions, without actual experimental proof.

5. The Importance of Technological Development

Technological development should proceed ahead of scientific research, in accordance with the principle that science determines the level that should be attained by technology, and technology determines the level that can be attained by science. At present, however, the United States generates almost all the applications for basic patents for DNA- and protein-analysis technology. Japan should learn from the United States' example: what is needed is government support for research facilities, both by centralizing them on a priority basis and by investment, in order to develop technology with specifications that will enable our researchers to meet their goals qualitatively and quantitatively.

6. Next-Generation Science Administration

Investment in the life sciences is the right choice for the nation.

In the future, the focus will shift to determining how the genome and major biomolecules such as cDNA and proteins are interrelated (the "gene network"). Hence, our investment in the life sciences will likely be the last basic investment required to link determination of the gene network to applied research for commercial purposes.

7. Conclusion

Determination of the gene network will undoubtedly help to improve the welfare of the Japanese people. At the same time, however, we must pay strict attention from the standpoint of bioethics to how the results are utilized.

In research on the human and mouse genomes, work will be completed in the not-too- distant future to collect and analyze exhaustively the genomes, cDNA, and proteins, and the individuals that are the ultimate sum of those components. I feel strongly that it is time to once again review and decide the  nature of the science that will be needed after that work is completed, and the nature of the administration and industry that will be needed to put that science into effect.

Main points of questions put to Dr. HAYASHIZAKI

MITSUBAYASHI Takashi (Liberal Democratic Party)

>> We have fallen behind the United States in the area of research in the genomic sciences, but how can Japan lead the field in post-genomic research?

>> What problems are involved in granting patents for genetic information, and how do these problems affect basic research?

>> What are your views regarding the conflict, if any, between pursuing research on the human genome and respecting human rights from a bioethical standpoint?

>> The Swiss Federal Constitution contains provisions relating to bioethics. What is your view with regard to constitutional or other legal restrictions being placed on genetic research in Japan?

>> Although Japan has made a late start in the field of genomic research, with regard to future research, what political measures do you, as a scientist, hope to see?  


NAKAGAWA Masaharu (Democratic Party of Japan and Club of Independents)

>> What are your reasons for asserting that Japan has made a late start in the field of genomic research? Also, do you think that Japan can catch up in post-genomic research, which is said to be the next field of research that will be a common endeavor of humanity?

>> Would you agree that Japan should not grant patents for discoveries that consist solely of determining gene functions?

>> The government of Iceland has made a controversial decision to sell information on the traits of that nation's people to a commercial enterprise and allow it to accumulate relevant data. In your view, what relationship is there between an action of this kind by a national government and the issue of privacy?  


SAITO Tetsuo (New Komeito)

>> What effect do you think the advent of a knowledge-intensive society has had on democracy? For example, in your view, what problems are involved in ensuring that taxpayers understand the need for research in the life sciences?

>> Do you think that the Japanese tend to avoid the risk associated with assessing other people's research? If so, should we not create a system for the assessment of other people's research?

>> At one time, the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research was said to be typical of the stagnant state of research institutions, but today it is said to be on the cutting edge. What kind of reforms led to this change?  


FUJISHIMA Masayuki (Liberal Party)

>> You have achieved major breakthroughs in the development of genome analysis technology. What made it possible to develop such technology, and what aspects caused you the most difficulty? Also, will Japan be able to continue such technological development in the future?

>> What areas of post-genomic research should Japan emphasize in the future? Also, what should be the government's role in research and development in those areas?  


HARUNA Naoaki (Japanese Communist Party)

>> I believe that in order to ensure that the results of genomic research serve as a common asset of humankind, they should be made widely available to the public. What is your view in this regard?

>> In my view, it is essential to ensure the safety of technological developments related to the life sciences. What is your view in this regard?

>> How do you view the relationship between human dignity and the life sciences?  


KITAGAWA Renko (Social Democratic Party)

>> I believe that certain ethical standards must be met in conducting research and development that generates profit after receiving donated material such as human ova and embryos. Do you think that such ethical requirements impede the progress of science and technology?  


KONDO Motohiko (21st Century Club)

>> Why has the United States been able to gain such an advantage in pursuing genome research?

>> What do you think the Japanese government should do in order to gain world recognition for the nation's basic research?

>> You cited educational administration as one problem area that the government should address in order to ensure the advancement of science and technology. Are there other things that the government should do to promote scientific research?  


Main points of Prof. OGAWA's statement

1. Trends in the Birthrate

(a) The decline in the birthrate since the postwar baby boom After the postwar baby boom, the total fertility rate (the number of children a woman gives birth to in her lifetime) dropped from 4.54 to half that figure in just ten years; it was the first time in human history that such a rapid decrease occurred. The birthrate then stabilized, but it resumed its decline after the first oil crisis (1973), and in 1999 it reached 1.34.

(b) Changes in factors causing the birthrate to decline (from later marriage and a decreasing marriage rate to an increase in childless marriages) An analysis of the factors causing the total fertility rate to decline shows that, before the oil crisis, almost all men and women married and had two children; factors that discouraged people from having children took effect only after they had already had two. In the 1980s, however, the trend toward later marriage became the major factor behind the decline in the birthrate, and in the 1990s an increase in the number of married couples who never had children became the major factor. As a result of the collapse of the bubble economy and the corporate restructuring that followed, since the mid-1990s economic insecurity has caused people to have fewer children and to delay having children; those trends have been particularly obvious among low-income earners in urban areas.

(c) The background to women's later marriage or nonmarriage The wage gap between the sexes has decreased as women's educational qualifications and workforce participation have risen. As a result, women are hesitating to marry and have children because they have more to lose by giving up continuous employment to raise a family (i.e., there is a higher opportunity cost).

(d) The need for prompt measures The drop in the birthrate in recent years has widened the gap between the actual number of children per couple and the number that people consider to be ideal, and it is important to take action before that ideal number decreases. Also, during the next five years the second baby-boom generation will reach the appropriate age for marriage and childbearing. So that they will not need to delay having children, within that five-year period measures should be taken to (1) stabilize the macroeconomy and (2) create an environment that makes marriage attractive and that makes it easier for people to have children.

2. The Aging of Japanese Society

(1) Problems caused by the aging of society Japanese society began to age 65 years ago, and the trend is not a matter of choice. Japan is characterized by a more rapid aging and shrinking of its population than other countries. The following problems are likely to result: There will be a decline in economic vitality, and growth of tax revenues cannot be expected. Buildings and other infrastructure will be unable to accommodate the needs of the elderly. An increase in the number of older drivers will cause disruption in the road transport system. There will be a manpower shortage, causing difficulties in such areas as maintaining the home nursing care insurance system.

(2) The need for a substantive debate on the aging of society based on changes in values As Japanese society ages, home care of the elderly will place an increasing burden on women, in particular. However, opinion surveys indicate that values are changing with regard to home care and expectations of security in old age; for example, fewer people consider home care of elders by their children to be a good custom or an automatic duty, and fewer people expect their own children to look after them.

Until now, discussion of the aging society has focused on statistics such as the number of elderly people and the number of people of working age who will support them. In future, however, we will need to debate the issues at a more substantive level, taking into account these changes in values.

(3) The need for new definitions of old age and related concepts due to increased life expectancy The main reason for the aging of society in recent years has been the lower mortality rate. On the basis of longer life expectancy, the definition of an elderly person could be changed from "a person aged 65 or over" to "a person aged 73 or over"; with regard to the period between 2000 and 2025, if we were able to introduce the new definition during that time, we could maintain the proportion of elderly people in the population at a stable level for that period. It will probably be necessary also to introduce the concept of "healthy life expectancy" rather than mere "life expectancy," and to consider extending the age of retirement and the age at which pension payments commence, among other measures.

(4) The Role of Japan, and Leadership by Politicians The other nations of Asia are also experiencing lower birthrates and aging of their populations. In future, it will be essential for Japan to cooperate with other Asian nations in such areas as active utilization of foreign workers, and Japan should also provide leadership in the area of policymaking.

Politicians must also provide strong leadership in addressing the declining birthrate and aging of the population.

Main points of questions put to Prof. OGAWA

NAKAYAMA Taro (Chairman)

>> The nation's population of productive age has already begun to decline, and, according to United Nations estimates, in future Japan will need to accept about 650,000 foreign workers annually if it is to maintain its population of productive age. I believe that active acceptance of foreign workers is unavoidable in light of facts such as these. What is your view in this regard?

>> I expect that as the birthrate declines and the population ages, the state of public finances will deteriorate and there will be an increase in the national burden rate. What is your view of this?  


ITO Kosuke (Liberal Democratic Party)

>> The 21st century is expected to be an era of diversifying lifestyle choices among the Japanese. For example, it is possible that it may become socially acceptable to have a child without getting married. About how many single parents are there in Japan?

>> What do you think of actively promoting policies to lighten the economic burden on parents, as France is doing?

>> In light of global population problems, that is, a population explosion in the developing nations and population decline in the developed nations, I think that Japan should institute measures relating to energy, food, and so on. What is your view in this regard?

>> In future, if the global population increases, environmental problems will become extremely important. There is a provision in the German constitution to the effect that the state has a duty to protect the natural sources of life. How should we in Japan handle environmental issues in the Constitution?  


KANO Michihiko (Democratic Party of Japan and Club of Independents)

>> In light of the world population problem, is it possible to estimate the appropriate size of Japan's population?

>> According to the population theory of Malthus, one would expect that the birthrate would not exceed the productive capacity of the economy, and that both would be automatically adjusted to appropriate levels. Do you agree that, at present, that function of mutual adjustment has broken down?

>> You stated that because birthrates will also decline in other Asian nations, we should work together with those nations to study ways to address the declining birthrate and aging society. What effects will working together in this way have on the distribution of resources and the movements of people?

>> The Swiss Federal Constitution contains provisions regarding reproductive medicine and gene technology. As Japan takes measures to address the declining birthrate, are there any matters in the area of population for which it would be advisable to make provision in the Constitution?  


UEDA Isamu (New Komeito)

>> Two factors are cited as contributing to the decline in the birthrate: the difficulty that women experience in raising children and working at the same time, and the high cost of raising children. Which of these factors do you think is the more important?

>> What, specifically, do you mean by "fairness" and "efficiency" of measures to address the declining birthrate?

>> Would it be correct to say that achieving economic recovery is a precondition to addressing the declining birthrate effectively?  


SHIOTA Susumu (Liberal Party)

>> What levels do you expect the population of the world and that of Japan to reach by the end of the 21st century?

>> What specific measures do you think are needed to ensure that Japan's population does not decline further?  


SEKO Yukiko (Japanese Communist Party)

>> You stated that economic recovery is a precondition for addressing the declining birthrate, but what specific economic measures should be taken?

>> In light of the fact that an increasing number of people are finding marriage burdensome due to the difficulties experienced by working parents, I believe that it is important to provide an environment that will make it easier to raise children while working. What is your view in this regard?

>> In addressing the decline in the birthrate, I believe that it is important to improve the status of women. What is your view of this?  


HARA Yoko (Social Democratic Party)

>> In view of the fact that the birthrate declined even during the "bubble," when economic conditions were favorable, it seems that trends in the birthrate and economic conditions are not necessarily related. Would you agree with this?

>> In order to prevent the birthrate declining, is it not important to establish reproductive health and reproductive rights (especially a woman's right to decide such things as when she will give birth, the interval between births, and the number of children she will have), and to eliminate discrimination against women?  


KOIKE Yuriko (New Conservative Party)

>> Would you agree that the social attitude that places importance on blood relationships--as seen, for example, in a resistance to adoption--is part of the background of the declining birthrate?  


KONDO Motohiko (21st Century Club)

>> What examples are there of successful measures taken by other countries to deal with a declining birthrate?

>> In addressing the declining birthrate, is it not important to provide an environment conducive to child-rearing, including a good educational environment and abundant natural surroundings?