NHKの「今ここにある危機と僕の好感度について」というドラマを見返した。このドラマは私が知る限り唯一研究不正をきちんと扱ったドラマである。2021年放送で、脚本は「カーネーション」や「エルピス」の渡辺あや。全5話。3部構成になっていて、前半は研究不正とポスドクの雇用問題、中盤は言論の自由と教育・研究機関の独立性、後半は外来生物の流出と隠蔽体質の話になっている。大学広報の主人公(松坂桃李)がさまざまなトラブルに直面しながらも自身の好感度を気にして何もしなかったり時々やる気を出したりする様子は滑稽で、非常に重い内容ながらエンタメ性が高い。ポスドク役の鈴木杏のポスドクっぽさが良い(見た目だけでなく、自転車の乗り方とかもそれっぽい)。
日本の研究は今現在危機的状況にあって、Natureという最も有名な科学雑誌で「遅れている」「もはや世界レベルではない」と言われてしまった(しかも複数回)。日本のノーベル賞は基本的に数十年前の研究成果に対して贈られているだけなので、この先何個か貰って終わりになるかもしれない。別にノーベル賞で日本人のプライドを保ちたいとかではなくて、人類の未来への投資を怠ってはいけないと思う。日本の科学研究における問題は上述のドラマでは描き切れないほど根深いが、それでも観てほしい。
Natureの記事
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03290-1
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00656-3
I revisited NHK's drama titled "The Current Crisis and My Popularity," a series that, to the best of my knowledge, earnestly addresses research misconduct. Aired in 2021, the script was written by Aya Watanabe, known for works like "Carnation" and "Elpís." The series comprises five episodes with a three-part structure. The first part delves into research misconduct and the employment issues faced by postdocs. The midsection tackles freedom of speech, as well as the independence of educational and research institutions. The latter part shifts the focus to the escape of foreign organisms and the culture of concealment. The protagonist, played by Tori Matsuzaka, is a university public relations officer who, amid various troubles, concerns himself with his own likability while sometimes being motivated, which looks funny. Despite the weighty subject matter, the series maintains a high level of entertainment. The portrayal of the postdoc role by Ann Suzuki captures the essence well, both in appearance and in behavior, such as the way she rides her bicycle.
As of now, Japanese research is in a crisis, with Nature, the most renowned scientific journal, stating multiple times that Japan is "lagging behind" and "no longer at a global level." Japanese Nobel Prizes are generally awarded for research conducted several decades ago, potentially leading to a scenario where Japan receives a few more and then concludes its Nobel Prize achievements. It's not about preserving Japanese pride through Nobel Prizes; rather, it's about not neglecting the investment in the future of humanity. The issues in Japanese scientific research run so deep that they cannot be fully portrayed even in the aforementioned drama, but I still encourage everyone to watch it.
Nature articles:
