Site Map |
Overview |
R&D Expenditure |
R&D Output |
Human Resources |
S&T Policies |
S&T Organizations |
Emerging Technologies |
Of the expenditure on R&D of the four priority sector for science and technology basic policy increased greatly were spent by nanotechnology and materials sector, an increase of 42.2%, environment sector, an increase of 13.0%, information technology (IT) sector, an increase of 10.5%
Japan is probably the most technologically advanced country in the world. Japanese companies command an 80% share of the world market for high-intensity LED.
Of the expenditure on R&D of the four priority sector for science and technology basic policy increased greatly were spent by nanotechnology and materials sector, an increase of 42.2%, environment sector, an increase of 13.0%, information technology (IT) sector, an increase of 10.5%
This area is important in the aging and low birth-rate society of Japan, to actualize a healthy, active and comfortable life. The level of some R&D fields in life sciences in Japan has been kept high in the world competition with European countries and the United States in Rice Genome, specific microbe genome deciphering and livestock, cloning technique, although it has to develop even more. In light of the rapid growth of research, such as post-genomic researches, in advanced life sciences, Japan must work selectively and strategically in these fields, taking Japan's situation into consideration. Specifically Japan will focus on the following:
R&D development in the field of information and telecommunications has been at a superior level in Japan as compated to European countries and United States especially in mobile-phone systems, optical communications technology, and IT terminals. Japan's focus will be on:
The environmental R&D in Japan is comparable to other developed countries especially in measures against global warming, measuring techniques, comprehensive evaluation and management technology of chemical substances. However it has to improve in the areas of environmental monitoring and global science. Environmental science is important for Japan since it has limited land and natural resources. Focus should be on:
To apply the environmental measures properly into society and economy, Japan should promote monitoring the environment on a global scale, development of common basic techniques, standardization of an intellectual base on the environment, evaluation of model projects, as well as to introduce systems designed for the environmental preservation and education.
Japan is quite advanced in the R&D field of materials science/technology. Focus is on material science/technology:
The true value of materials lies in how they actually are used. It will be also important to make use of IT such as computer simulations, to promote international standardization, to improve the intellectual infrastructure, and to establish a comprehensive evaluating technique for the environment or security.
Nanotechnology encompasses IT, environmental, life sciences, material sciences, all the technologies mentioned above. It is in advanced state of development in Japan. Better policies, research exchange can further improve this area of technology in Japan.
Other areas of technology include: energy, manufacturing, infrastructure and frontier.
| Processing technology using lasers | Manufacturing | Processing equipment market:approx. 300 billion yen approx. 600 billion yen (2010) |
| Home photovoltaic power generation systems | Energy | Photovoltaic power generation system market:approx. 150 billion yen (the highest in the world) ? approx. 400 billion yen-2010 |
| Technology to increase the density and extend the life of lithium batteries | Nanotechnology/ materials | Put to practical use ahead of the rest of the world Lithium-ion secondary battery market: 250 billion yen |
| Intelligent transport systems (ITS) (car navigation, VICS, ETC) | Information and communications | Related markets: approx. 881.4 billion yen ? approx. 7 trillion yen (2015) Employment creation: 1.07 million persons (2015) |
| Photocatalytic materials | Nanotechnology / materials | Related markets: approx. 40 billion yen |
In the 2nd Science and Technology Basic Plan (2001-2005), the research area of nanotechnology and materials is designated as one of the 4 prioritized areas in funding. Following this plan, MEXT and METI, the main funding ministries, and their organizations, JSPS, JST, National Institute for Materials Sciences (NIMS), RIKEN, NEDO, and AIST have been promoting their research programs. The highlights of their programs are the Leading Projects by MEXT, the Nanotechnology Virtual Laboratories by JST, the Focus 21 by METI, the Nanomaterials & Processing Sub-Program by NEDO, and so on. Besides, in order to encourage interdisciplinary, interorganizational, and international collaboration among researchers, the Nanotechnology Support Project was started by MEXT in 2002. The project has two missions: informational support and common use facility support. The Nanotechnology Researchers Network Center of Japan is responsible for informational support, and 14 universities and national research institutes are responsible for common use facility support. The government funding for R&D on nanotechnology & materials science was increased from $731 million ($1 = ¥110) in FY 2001 to $778 million in FY 2002 and reached $855 million in FY 2004.
AIST's research institutes stated below are known for their R&D which serves as the basis of technological innovations in the future, as well as for their numerous original researches. Their scientific initiatives in the development of industrial technology and economy of global level are highly celebrated. Based on this recognition, AIST has now established Open Data Base system for Multi-media Research Information using the internet as an open network system. Therefore, AIST is going to open the subjects listed below to the public as RIO-DB (Research Information DataBase) in TACC (Tsukuba Advanced Computing Center). It will expand more in the future.
MEXT - Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Research and Development Bureau is responsible for promoting research and development centered on large-scale projects, such as research and development into disaster prevention, earthquakes and volcanoes, and the ocean and the earth, the promotion of South Pole observation, the International Space Station Program and other research, development and utilization of space, and research into nuclear fusion and nuclear power technology, including the development of nuclear fuel cycles. The Bureau is also responsible for areas related to nuclear energy policy, including the peaceful use of nuclear energy.