JAPANESE scientists hail environmental technology as the new frontier of science. Surveyed on breakthroughs they consider likely in the next generation, scientists listed 1,149 topics in 16 fields. The survey was conducted by the Japanese Science and Technology Agency.

Among their predictions: the first major discovery will probably be a substitute by 1998 for the ozone-depleting CFCs; the technology to prevent NOx emissions will be available by 2003; there will be widespread use of biodegradable packaging, and a vaccine for AIDS will have been found by 2006.