The Neoliberal Transformation of STS in Japan

Abstract

Neoliberal reforms have changed the conduct of academic research in, and beyond, science, technology and society. Social science scholars have undertaken critical studies regarding the negative consequences of neoliberalism, such as the globalization of poverty and the inattention to rights and fairness. However, science and technology studies (STS), which should take a critical approach to science and technology, has generally not addressed the problem of neoliberalism. Rather, some currents in STS may be viewed as supportive of neoliberal transformations.1 Why is this so? To address this question, Japanese public policy will provide a case study. In Japan, public policy changed, affected by neoliberal reforms in the 1990s. Consequently, a broad area of Japanese social sciences was altered regarding how to be engaged in public policy. STS in Japan was formed at this time and shifted to neoliberal public policy. As a result STS, as well as many other social sciences, transformed their critical function. These circumstances seem to have overlapped and caused STS in Japan to be uncritical of neoliberalism.