日本のイノベーション・システムとその改革, Current State of the Japan's National Innovation System and Its Reform

日本経済の潜在成長率は人口の高齢化などのために低下する可能性が高い．その意味で技術進歩の果たす役割はきわめて大きい．研究費の大きな伸びも期待しにくいので，効率的なイノベーション・システムを作っていく必要がある．一国のイノベーション・システムは産業，大学，政府の３者からなりその間の相互作用の中で形づくられていく．日本の産業は１９８０年代前半には強い競争力を示したが，情報技術，バイオテクノロジーといった新しい産業技術においては遅れをとっている．これらの分野の技術に適合的な産業組織，企業組織へと進化していくことが求められる．大学はその点でみても日本のイノベーション・システムの改革を図る上できわめて重要な役割を果たす．政府の政策も，これらの新しい産業技術へあたらしい対応が必要となっている．, Factors of production available to the Japanese economy are expected not to increase much in the 21st century. Therefore, the role of technological progress is important to sustain even a modest rate of economic growth. As it is difficult to expect a significant increase in R&D expenditure, we need to create an efficient innovation system. A national innovation system comprises industry, university and government, and it can be seen as an outcome of the interaction of these three sectors. Japan's industry was highly competitive in the early 1980s, but it is lagging in such new areas as information technology and biotechnology. These technologies require firm and industrial organization which are consistent with their technological imperative. The reform of the university and its relationship with industry will be a key factor in creating an efficient innovation system in Japan. Government policy also needs a new approach to promote these technologies and industries. A national innovation system comprises industry, university and government, and it can be seen as an outcome of the interaction of these three sectors. Japan's industry was highly competitive in the early 1980s, but it is lagging in such new areas as information technology and biotechnology. These technologies require firm and industrial organization which are consistent with their technological imperative. The reform of the university and its relationship with industry will be a key factor in creating an efficient innovation system in Japan. Government policy also needs a new approach to promote these technologies and industries.