Seizing the ‘Meta-Moment’ in Japan

While the study of research systems is far from new, metascience is currently experiencing a global surge in visibility and energy. This “meta-moment” is characterized by an explosion of bottom-up research into research cultures and a strategic, top-down investment by governments and funders in the “science of science.”

Japan is increasingly becoming a focal point for this movement. This was vividly demonstrated on 14-15 March 2026, as over 100 researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders gathered at Miraikan (The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation) in Tokyo for the Metascience Meetup 2026.

Organized by a cross-institutional group of volunteers and research centers, the event aimed to translate global metascience trends into a local context.

RoRI’s Executive Director, James Wilsdon, opened the event with a keynote titled: “SEIZE THE META-MOMENT! Japan in a changing global landscape for the science of science itself.”

In his talk, James warmly welcomes the growing momentum behind metascience in Japan, and calls on colleagues to “seize the meta-moment” as an opportunity to reform and strengthen the evidence, organisation and collective intelligence on which the future health and agility of Japan’s STI system will depend.

The enthusiasm in Tokyo arrives at a pivotal time, as Japan prepares for the launch of its 7th Science, Technology, and Innovation Basic Plan. With the plan explicitly calling for metascience insights to reassess research effectiveness, the conversations started at Miraikan are set to play a big role in shaping the future of Japanese research policy.