In January 2020, the Japanese government held the 28th Comprehensive Science, Technology, and Innovation Conference and reviewed and approved the “Comprehensive Measures Plan for Strengthening Research Capabilities and Supporting Young Researchers”, aiming to make basic research work an attractive career. The plan proposes establishing the Fusion Oriented REsearch for disruptive Science and Technology (FOREST) project for a maximum of 10 years, centered on young researchers, to support original research to create disruptive scientific and technological achievements. This paper analyzes the organization, operation mode, and implementation status of the FOREST project in Japan. It proposes insights and suggestions for China’s science foundation to strengthen basic research: 1) Establishing the Breakthrough Research Program, which supports “encouraging exploration and highlighting originality”; 2) Establishing a unique management mechanism for the Breakthrough Research Program, and setting up an open and long-term expert review panel for each academic department; 3) Implementing long-cycle funding for the Breakthrough Research Program, and dividing the funding period into three phases of“3 + 4 + 3”and a maximum of ten years; 4) Relaxing the title and age requirements for the Breakthrough Research Program; 5) Implementing flexible management of budgets and funding for the Breakthrough Research Program.