These results suggest that, at least for these high-market-expectation technologies, large companies are driving technological development in Japan, while the relative technological capabilities of universities, research institutions and startups have not yet fully developed. Amid concerns about a shrinking economic scale and declining international competitiveness due to Japan’s aging population and declining birthrate, it is considered necessary for companies, universities, research institutions and startups to comprehensively strengthen their competitiveness and to collaborate with one another in order to efficiently improve Japan’s international competitiveness.
As related initiatives, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has, since FY2023, launched programs that support basic research, talent development and industry-academia collaboration, such as the Innovative GX Technology Creation Program (GteX) and Advanced Low-Carbon Technology Research and Development (ALCA-Next).*14 At the same time, concerns over the relatively small number of climate-tech startups in Japan, compared with other countries, and the importance of fostering such startups are also being discussed from the perspective of industrial development policy.*15 In Japan, the government has historically promoted policies related to industrial structure and industrial location since the period of high economic growth. However, in light of increasing uncertainty, a policy direction is now being discussed in which the government shifts to a supportive role for companies aiming to strengthen their competitiveness.*16 Against this backdrop, industrial location decisions are expected to place greater emphasis on alignment with existing infrastructure, the competitiveness and growth potential of development plans including the participation of startups and venture companies, and the commitment of local governments.*16 Given this context, it will be essential for companies, startups, universities, research institutions and local governments to work together strategically to formulate a shared vision, drawing on data-driven and objective analyses of technology trends and competitiveness, and to pursue the development of climate-tech and GX technologies as well as competitive industrial location strategies.
Analysis Using Intelligent Business Analytics
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