The Fundamental Law of Science and Technology and the Basic Plan of Science and Technology were established in Japan in 1995 and 1996, respectively and the second Basic Plan for Science and Technology R&D was established in April, 2001. In addition, as a part of Japanese government administrative reform, the Council for Science and Technology Policy was organized in the Cabinet Office and the most of the national research laboratories including the Communications Research Laboratory (CRL) have been restructured to the Independent Administrative Institution (IAI). This paper introduces first the relationship between the info-communications R&D and the national science and technology policy in Japan. Second, the R&D of CRL, IAI is introduced. Third, as a typical example of the wireless communications R&D, the research of wireless communication in CRL is shown in more detail in terms of terrestrial wireless/mobile communication system and satellite communication system. Finally the future prospect of such an R&D is shown briefly.

A non-profit satellite communication network is desired to be configured by using low cost earth stations in the field of education, research and health in the Pacific region. This paper proposes the following concept as one of the tools to realize such a network: (a) A hitchhiker transponder dedicated to the network, and (b) The volunteer group prepares earth stations. A preliminary system design shows that the S band hitchhiker payload is most appropriate and has the weight of about 3kg. The feasibility of manufacturing earth stations by a volunteer group is examined through the experiment using ETS-V satellite. The parameters of the hitchhiker payload are re-examined on the basis of the experience of the experiment.