More than half of Japanese between the ages of 18 and 29 are not interested in science, and the percentage is growing despite an increased exposure to information technology products, according to a government poll.
The survey results, released Saturday, show that 43 percent of those polled do not think schools are helping students foster a sensibility toward science. The results alarmed the education ministry and prompted experts to warn of a possible decline in Japan's technological prowess.
The poll, conducted by the Cabinet Office between Jan. 29 and Feb. 8, covered 3,000 people aged from 18 to over 70, of whom 2,084 responded.