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Human resources for R&D

As of 31 March 2009, researchers numbered 890,669 by headcount and 838,974 by FTE. Out of 890,669 researchers, 505,811 were mainly engaged in R&D and 150,493 were Ph.Ds. During FY2008, out of 1.065 million R&D personnel, 75,520 were assistant research workers, 65,821 were technicians and 84,722 were clerical and other support staff. Key data on R&D manpower from Statistics Bureau of Japan and OECD has been presented below:

Table: Human Resources in R&D
SourceNational R&D SurveyNational R&D SurveyOECD Data
YearFY2008FY2008Year 2007
UnitsHeadcountFTEFTE
R&D Personnel1,159,7221,065,037937,865
R&D Personnel per thousand employed  14.6
Business R&D Personnel707,692625,264620,004
Higher education R&D Personnel364,244364,244240,932
Government R&D Personnel70,65361,90163,162
Private non-profit R&D Personnel17,13313,628 
Researchers890,669838,974709,974
Researchers per thousand employed  11.0
Business Researchers539,591492,805483,728
Higher education Researchers305,847305,847185,175
Government Researchers35,08432,05032,705
Private non-profit Researchers10,1478,272 
Source: (1) Statistics Bureau of Japan (2) OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators database, May 2009.