Research center for ELSI

　In August 2022, the Research Group on Novel Technologies and Law (https://yokohamaelsi.
ynu.jp/intro/), hereinafter referred to as “Yokohama ELSI Research Group,” was established, primarily comprising members from the legal disciplines (law and political science) within the Faculty of International Social Sciences. A group based on this research group has been certified as the YNU Research Group on ELSI (https://ynurc.ynu.ac.jp/center/elsi/) since July 2023 (hereinafter referred to as “YNU ELSI RG”).
　The social implementation of new technologies requires a comprehensive assessment of the diverse risks inherent in the relevant science and technology, and the establishment of an appropriate legal framework commensurate with those risks. Furthermore, in recent years, it has become essential to predict how society will change due to the implementation of the technology from its nascent stage before risks materialize, to address anticipated non-technical issues (ELSI), and to engage responsibly with society and the environment (Responsible Research and Innovation, RRI). To achieve this, it is recognized as beneficial to involve humanities and social science fields from the early stages of R&D and to advance the R&D multidisciplinary. Indeed, initiatives like the Cabinet Office's Moonshot Research and Development Program requires the establishment of ELSI research groups. However, the humanities and social sciences, particularly law and political science, have not always been able to supply appropriate researchers to the R&D in response to these societal demands. This is because expertise in law and political science is highly diverse, making it unrealistic for a single researcher to possess all the necessary specializations. Furthermore, due to constraints on R&D budgets, it is difficult to involve every relevant researcher in the ELSI research group (the budget for ELSI research typically accounts for about 10% of the total R&D budget).
　Therefore, the first objective of YNU ELSI RG is to establish a mechanism where researchers engaged in ELSI research within each R&D project can receive insights from experts in other fields and legal practitioners, primarily from the Kanagawa Bar Association, enabling coverage of a broad range of issues (Network Function). For example, Sasaoka, the director of YNU ELSI RG, participates in typhoon control research promoted by the Typhoon Science and Technology Research Center (TRC). For considerations beyond her expertise (commercial law, corporate law, and civil liability at international level), such as those in disaster law or public international law, she supplements these areas through collaborative research within Yokohama ELSI Study Group.
　Furthermore, when addressing ELSI issues related to new science and technology, researchers in the humanities and social sciences require a precise understanding of science and technology, while those conducting R&D must understand the purpose and limitations of research concerning law and society. The second objective of YNU ELSI RG is to function as a forum and node for mutual understanding across these disciplinary boundaries (Hub Function).
　Through the accumulation of these research efforts, the third objective of YNU ELSI RG is to establish methodologies for ELSI research and to continuously cultivate students equipped with expertise in ELSI research (Educational function).