Maximizing U.S. Interests in Science and Technology Relations with Japan (1997) / Chapter Skim
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Report of the Competitiveness Task Force: Executive Summary
Report of the Competitiveness Task Force: Executive Summary
Pages 9-19
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As lapan's standing in technology-based industries continued to grow and the United States suffered reverses, some questioned whether continued asymmetrical science and technology relationships would impair America's future capability to produce and utilize innovation, the mainspring of future growth in productivity and economic performance. With these concerns as a backdrop, the National Research Council's Committee on Japan formed the Competitiveness Task Force to assess the U.S.-Japan science and technology relationship and to develop recommendations on what the U.S.
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Second, are there general lessons and insights to be drawn from the U.S. experience with Japan that could be applied to international science and technology relationships in the future?
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From the end of World War ~ until well into the 1970s, Japanese government controls over trade and foreign direct investment allowed a coordinated industry-government approach to obtaining technologies from foreign companies in return for limited market access and licensing fees. The electronics and computer industries provide the best examples of how this approach worked.
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Finally, the Japanese public and private sectors are expanding their efforts to forge advantageous international linkages in science and technology, particularly in Asia.4 4 Several task force members noted recent alliances involving significant Japanese technology transfer to Asian counterparts and questioned whether Japanese approaches to Asia will ultimately be more effective than those of the United States.
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Just because the relationship has featured wide asymmetries in the past that continue today does not mean that this must be the case in the future. Key Challenges Are Emerging in Asia Many of the key future challenges facing the United States and Japan in ensuring that international science and technology relationships enhance domestic economic performance lie · , ~ m Asla Asian high-technology markets are growing more rapidly than Japan's, and Asian companies are challenging Japanese dominance in a number of critical manufacturing industries.
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scientists and engineers proficient in the Japanese language and experienced in Japanese laboratories and manufacturing facilities will facilitate an expanded flow of information to the United States. Even in cases where participants are not immediately hired into positions working directly on Japan issues, their lapan-related skills and experience are often increasingly utilized over time.
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Renew Efforts to Engage Japan in Science and Technology Relationships That Deliver Equitable Benefits The task force believes that Japan will follow through on its stated goal of sharply increasing public spending on science and technology over the next several years. Although changes in approach on the part of Japanese institutions will be necessary in order to translate this increased funding into a strong fundamental research base, the task force is optimistic about the future of Japan's science and technology capability.
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companies that have derived concrete long-term benefits from their collaboration with Japanese partners and efforts in the Japanese market. Careful protection and management of intellectual property rights in the United States and in other markets, gaining direct access to customers, building market participation "tollgates" into technology transfer agreements, focused training for engineers assigned to joint projects, and other approaches can help ensure that collaboration leads to sustainable competitive strength.
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resurgence in microelectronics. An area in which the Japanese government is making major investments is intelligent vehicle and highway systems, which promise to deliver competitive advantage to auto manufacturers while improving national transportation systems.
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if the enhanced dispute settlement powers and other provisions of the Uruguay Round do meet expectations, future multilateral trade negotiations could address areas that will expand market participation. Trade and investment, and trade and competition policy, are likely to be the two highest priorities.
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As more developing countries recognize the value offoreign direct investment in raising their technology levels, the United States and Japan can have a greater impact when working together to encourage adherence to multilateral rules, and to discourage national approaches that feature focused technology transfer as a condition for market participation. The United States and Japan should also work to develop common approaches to emerging issues on the multilateral agenda, such as trade and the environment.
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