In Japan, ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) have become increasingly central to national science and technology policy. The Science, Technology and Innovation Basic Plan now explicitly incorporates societal perspectives, reflecting a shift toward more inclusive and reflexive governance. Key institutions such as the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) have developed initiatives to embed ELSI into research and innovation processes. A notable example is JST/RISTEX's "Responsible Innovation with Conscience and Agility" (RInCA) program, launched in 2020. RInCA is designed to support interdisciplinary research that not only integrates ethical analysis, legal frameworks, and stakeholder engagement from the outset, but also proactively identifies ELSI associated with emerging technologies. The program emphasizes liaison with research and development sites, ensuring that ELSI considerations are grounded in the realities of scientific practice and technological innovation. Through anticipatory and collaborative approaches, RInCA contributes to the advancement of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in Japan. This presentation introduces the conceptual foundations and institutional design of the RInCA program, focusing on its mechanisms for promoting socially responsive research. By examining how RInCA facilitates knowledge co-production and reflexive practices, we aim to provide a basis for understanding the evolving role of ELSI and RRI in Japanese science policy. The discussion will also serve as a prelude to subsequent presentations on empirical findings and future directions for embedding ELSI into scientific practice, particularly in fields where technological innovation intersects with human behavior, cognition, and social systems.