Small firms and innovation policy in Japan

Although Japan has a strong reputation as an innovator, some people argue that this reputation is misplaced. Contrary to earlier expectations, the USA rather than Japan emerged as the leader in the biotech industries in the 1990s, and also many small firms in Japan supply only a few - or just one - other company, thereby limiting their view of the marketplace and the commercial opportunities within it. Despite the increase of international patents, international scientific citations and a positive technology trade balance, the Japanese innovation system is weak in giving birth to radical innovations.

The book explores fully these issues, making comparisons with other countries where appropriate. It concludes that the Japanese innovation system has both advantages and disadvantages and contributes to a better understanding of how policy changes take place.

Cornelia StorzLambert T. KochMartin HemmertKlaus RuthCornelia StorzReiko Kishida and Leonard H. LynnHiroshi Ueno and Takashi Murakoso and Takumi Hirai

List of figures	p. vii
List of tables	p. ix
Notes on contributors	p. xi
1 Small firms and innovation policy in Japan: an introduction	p. 1
Part I Shift in policy changes	p. 11
2 How do we formulate policies? The problem of defining policies and their evaluation	p. 13
3 Japanese science and technology policy in transition: from catch-up orientation to frontrunner orientation	p. 33
4 Innovation policy for SME in Japan: the case of technology transfer centres	p. 56
5 Cognitive models and economic policy: the case of Japan	p. 82
Part II The shift in entrepreneurial behaviour in SMEs	p. 109
6 Restructuring the Japanese national biotechnology innovation system: prospects and pitfalls	p. 111
7 Supplier system and innovation policy in Japan	p. 137
Index	p. 151

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