Chapter 6: Science & Engineering Indicators 93

Japan

Since 1973, R& D performance in Japanese manufacturing industries grew at a higher annual rate than in the United States, and faster than all other industrialized countries since 1980. Japanese industry continued to expand its R& D spending rapidly through 1985, more than doubling the annualized rate of growth seen during the 1970s. Japanese industrial R& D spending slowed somewhat during the second half of the 1980s, but still led all other industrialized nations in terms of average growth in industrial R& D.

The eight industries examined here together accounted for between 66 and 72 percent of total industrial R& D performed in Japan during the 1973-90 period, compared with over 82 to 88 percent in the United States. This suggests a wider role for R& D in Japan's industrial sector (outside the eight industries examined) than seen in the United States.

An examination of the top five R& D-performing industries in Japan reflects that country's long emphasis on communications technology (including consumer electronics, high-definition TV, and all types of audio equipment). This industry was the leading performer of R& D throughout the period reviewed. Japan's motor vehicle industry was the third leading R& D performer in 1973, but rose to number two in 1980 and remained at that level through 1990. (See figure 6-17 and appendix table 6-9.) Japanese automobiles earned a reputation for high quality and economy during these years, which earned Japanese auto makers larger and larger shares of the global car market.

Electrical machinery producers also are among the largest R& D performers in Japan and have maintained high R& D growth throughout the period examined. By contrast, the U.S. electrical machinery industry saw its ranking among the top U.S. R& D producers in the United States decline since 1973. Japan's industry, on the other hand, moved up to become that country's third leading R& D-performing industry in 1990.

Another Japanese industry that has become a more important R& D performer is the computer and office equipment industry. Japan's computer and office equipment industry did not rank among the top five R& D performers until 1984. But rapid R& D growth during the late seventies and throughout the eighties moved this industry ahead of Japan's pharmaceutical industry: the industry has maintained this position through 1990. (See figure 6-17.)

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