In this paper, I will provide an overview of the development of Japanese science and technology studies (STS) by focusing on the governance of science and technology and public engagement in Japan. First, I will discuss the interaction and development of several STS research groups in Japan since the 1980s and outline the process by which the venue for the Society for Social Studies of Science (4S) 2010 annual meeting was decided. Second, I will focus on the governance of science and technology and public engagement in the Japanese context by discussing several case-studies such as that of the Minamata disease (mercury poisoning) and the itai-itai disease (cadmium poisoning). In addition, by referring to the case of the Monju nuclear power plant incidents, I will show that the Japanese society is now shifting from a technocratic model to a more democratic model in decision making in science and technology. This transition has been in parallel with the shift from the deficit model to lay expertise model or to the public participation model in science communication. Third, I will mention science communication funding provided by the Japanese government and analyze the gaps between government-driven public participation programs and grassroots public participation, and government-driven public understanding of science (PUS) and science communication. Finally, the universal nature and culturally bound aspects of STS concepts will be discussed.
