The Ministry of Education (MOE) has also begun the basic research with the next generation process projects, having run already eight projects for basic research on composite materials and materials combination.

The research projects mentioned in the above are all closely related to the non-destructive examination (NDE). The STX21 project concerns various means of non-destructive evaluation for welded parts, and the development of smart materials means the development of new methods of non-destructive evaluation. The latter project includes an attempt to embed acoustic emission sensors in materials.

Besides, the present status of non-destructive evaluation for improving the reliability in the field of nuclear energy application in Japan will be described.