JST was formed in 1996 by merging two existing organizations: the Japan Information Center of Science and Technology (JICST) and the Research Development Corporation of Japan (JRDC). In October 2003, the former JST was reorganized as an independent administrative institution, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).
JST is a policy-driven R&D institution with broad and varied activities centered around the implementation of R&D programmes, especially through the financing of projects.
JST’s activities include science communication, fostering human resources in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), developing platforms for STI information and other functions akin to a think tank.
