Japan’s Kyoto University Says ‘No’ to Military-related Research

Kyoto University of Japan has announced that it would not conduct military-related research as a policy.

“Our researchers aim to contribute to social order and human peace and well-being, and we will not carry out military research that leads to threatening these aims,” Kyoto University President Juichi Yamagiwa said in an announcement posted online Wednesday, Japan Times reported.

The announcement by the university’s president comes amidst an increase in Japan’s defence budget and a call to invest in defence technologies to keep Japan at the forefront of future weapons and equipment.

“Kyoto University’s basic mission is, by contributing to the planet’s harmony and coexistence through sound research activities based on freedom and independence, the creation of internationally-recognized excellence. All who do research here recognize the impact of their own research results on the future,” Yamagiwa’s announcement said.

When a decision is needed about whether proposed research is military-related, the university will, under the president, establish a committee to evaluate the proposal, the announcement added.

Kyoto University is one of the leading research-oriented universities in the world. Nine of its current and former graduates and professors are Nobel laureates.

The Japanese government has identified defence export as a priority and intends to fund universities and private enterprises for military-related research.