The Samurai Strategy

by Thomas Hoover

  _OPERATION MARKETSHARE - 90

  Internal Memo No. 37

  From: Kenji Asano, Deputy Minister for Research and Planning, Ministryof International Trade and Industry (MITI)

  Subject: CURRENT STATUS OF R&D

  This office has now completed its review of the recent survey ofresearch and development (R&D) by Japanese firms compiled by theScience and Technology Agency, the results of which are the subject ofthis memorandum. Of the companies surveyed, 70% maintain that theirresearch is equal or superior to that of leading firms in the U.S. andEurope, although only 18.2% consider themselves in unchallenged topposition. Furthermore, the remaining 30% believe their research isinferior or lagging behind the West (ref. to Table 1). Of those whoreported inadequate R&D in high technology areas, the following reasonswere given . . .