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In the mid-1990s, many thought that Japan's day in the economic sun was over. Major budgetary shortfalls, mounting debt and political conflicts all pointed to growing despair about Japan's future. Joining in a global competition in national innovation, Japan's leaders decided that the commercialization of science and technology held the key to long-term economic growth. Japan's mobilization of the triple helix of universities, government and the private sector vaulted the nation into a position of international leadership, backed by massive investments in scientific infrastructure.
Japan's achievements rest largely on the capacity of Japanese businesses to convert scientific and technological discoveries into commercially viable projects and services. This book sets the context for Japan's innovation strategy, and places Japanese developments in a global setting. Developments in key sectors -- mobile media, products for the country's growing population of elderly persons, nanotechnology, biotechnology, robotics, photovoltaic energy and targeted urban development -- demonstrate the challenges of achievements of Japan in this increasingly important commercial sector.
Carin Holroyd holds a PhD from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, and has worked at universities in Canada, Japan and New Zealand. She is currently the Senior Research Analyst (Japan) for the Asia Pacific Foundation and a Senior Research Fellow for the Centre for International Governance Innovation, Canada.
Ken S. Coates is Professor of History and Dean of Arts, University of Waterloo, Canada. He was previously Dean at the College of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. He has published three books on Japan with Carin Holroyd and also works in the field of indigenous history and northern development.
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