THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 3, 1996 TAG: 9607030026
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 41 lines
Scientific research can seem like a luxury, but in a technological age it is a vital necessity. Since the Cold War ended, the United States has been inclined to spend less on research. It was recently reported that a major competitor - Japan - will be spending more and more. There's reason for concern.
Throughout the Cold War, the United States led the world in research and development. The lion's share of the spending was for military purposes and was funded by the government. But applied research is built on a foundation of basic science, and there was money for that as well.
The collapse of the Soviet Union has put downward pressure on spending not only for practical applications of scientific information but on basic science as well. The new emphasis on federal-deficit reduction has not permitted an increase in basic research but cutbacks.
Historically, government has accounted for 35 percent of research spending in the United States and Germany, 40 percent in France but only around 20 percent in Japan. Now, perhaps sensing an opportunity to gain a competitive advantage, a Japanese-government panel has recommended a major increase in research spending.
Over the past five years, the Japanese government has spent about $100 billion on research. The panel proposes an increase in the spending level over the next five years to $155 billion - a 50 percent increase.
Much of the money would go to improve physical facilities at Japanese universities and national-research laboratories. Many are underfunded, in poor repair and are forced to scrape by with out-of-date equipment. As a percent of GDP, Japan has spent more than the West on product-development research but has given short shrift to basic research. This initiative would help redress the balance.
The United States is still a research leader. Our graduate schools in science train the world's researchers, but as we cut back and others accelerate spending, it may be time to look over our shoulder. Someone may be gaining on us. by CNB