Public Policy To Support Ict Development In Japan

Japan was the first major non-Western nation that proved able to fully benefit from the sustained technological advances that characterized the 20th century. From this point of view, the Japanese economy represents a model for many less technologically advanced countries. The Japanese people were very creative in searching for new technologies and learning how to use them. The Japanese government has played an important role in promoting continuous innovation. Our paper aims to analyze the role of Japanese policies in the field of ICT development. Combining its manufacturing and technological prowess with the support for innovation, Japan’s economy is an example of an arena in which investing in ICT can lead to a global breakthrough. Investments in research and higher education make sure that young Japanese have the skills and the mind-set needed to succeed in the era of globalization. Markets don’t easily make these structural transformations by themselves. This is the reason why the government support in the field should be mandatory. Our analysis will focus also on the Japanese policies regarding public investment in ICT, highlighting to what extent these reforms can contribute to a real growth in the field.