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'Innovation 25' Creating the Future, Challenging Unlimited Possibilities Interim Report | Executive Summary | Innovation 25 Strategy Council February 26, 2007 |
| *This is an English translation, in a format of an executive summary, of the interim report of the Innovation 25 Council that is written in Japanese, and may not, in part, be a verbatim translation of the original version. The Chair takes responsibility for any misinterpretation and translation in the English version. |
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PREFACE Message from Ms. Sanae Takaichi Minister of State for Innovation |
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When I received the instructions for "Innovation 25" from Prime Minister Abe, the first thing that came to my mind was that I would like to address science and technology policies from the standpoint of citizens of Japan.
Our life in Japan today has benefited greatly from discoveries and ideas emanating from basic research, technology and development. Continuous efforts by scientists and corporations to transform discoveries into new products and services have made our lives richer and more convenient over the last 20 years. Various attempts to reduce costs, and continuously apply technology to best meet the needs of the market have made our lives what they are today. There is no question our quality of life is largely due to investment in and funding of science and technology, supported by public and private funding. Citizens also have dreams and expectations for the future. Innovation and investment in science and technology and regulatory reform, initiated and pursued by the government, serve as a solid foundation to make these dreams of the people come true. The government has the challenging task of initiating the development of a society where these future dreams and expectations of the people can be realized within an acceptable timeframe. "Innovation 25" is not a mere "dream" or "future prediction" we only talk about. It foreshadows the Japan we want to build, step-by-step, over the next 20 years. The road ahead to realize this vision for Japan will not be an easy one. Particularly as fostering innovation to create a new Japan will challenge and disrupt conventional wisdom and value systems that we have cultivated over a long time. Innovation, by definition, almost always challenges the long-kept mindset and value system of a society, so it can create tension. The government is determined and dedicated to creating a better Japan through innovation. Innovation 25 will serve as the driving force in this journey. |
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Introduction |
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In order to realize the Abe Cabinet's new national image for Japan, known as "Beautiful Country", it is essential to maintain dynamic economic growth in the face of a declining population and an ageing society. It is critical to empower Japan's economy through innovation and an open attitude.
Noting that continuous innovation will drive growth and lead sustainable development for our common future, the Abe Cabinet pledged to formulate and execute a long-term strategy initiative for Japan, called "Innovation 25", with a view toward year 2025. Under Ms Sanae Takaichi, Minister of State for Innovation, the "Innovation 25 Strategy Council", was set up. The Council met several times over four months, held many hearing sessions and has taken inputs and opinions from the scientific community, industry, and the public. Based on this interim report with the cooperation of other council bodies and committees, such as the Councils for Economic and Fiscal Policy, for Science and Technology Policy, for Education Reform of the Cabinet Office, the Council plans to deliver its strategic policy roadmap Innovation 25 by the end of May 2007. |
Major factors that will shape Japan and the world in the next 20 years include the following:
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The world, including Japan, is stepping into a completely new and unexplored era, whether it is welcome or not. Can we resolve the unprecedented changes and issues of magnitude this new era bring with a conventional approach and mentality? The answer is definitely "No". History tells us that a few decades of hard and persistent efforts with a completely new mentality and attitude are required for innovative breakthroughs to come to fruition. Unless we dedicate ourselves to changing our familiar ways of thinking and conventional attitudes, we can never create a bright future. It is possible that, in the face of intensifying global competition, Japan may not continue to enjoy economic affluence. Rapid growth in Asia, China and India in particular, together with worsening environmental and energy problems in Asia and throughout the world, has created and continues to create global issues and problems for us to resolve. The seriousness of these issues makes it imperative for all of us to chart a course of action. Each one of us has to know our own strengths and weaknesses, strive to develop our potential to the fullest, and improve our productivity in order to sustain economic growth, even in an era of population decline. Integration and collaboration with the world outside and with differences in thinking outside our familiar territory is indispensable. Environmental issues the world faces today, including global warming, give us the opportunity to advance Japan's already world-class technology to an even higher level. These issues also allow us to take a step forward in developing a new international framework for collaboration. Ageing of Japan's society can serve as a driving force to design new technologies and services that meet the unique needs of individuals. These efforts can lead us to a better and healthier life, while boosting economic development even further. It is of paramount importance to view these issues as an opportunity, rather than a threat-we can deliver the benefits of science and technology originated in Japan to the world beyond. This period of intense competition for knowledge enables us to enhance the international competitiveness of our science and technology. History tells us that progress in science and technology, such as that seen in transportation, medical care, and information and communication, has contributed greatly to reduce or eliminate various divides; whether they be regional, physical handicaps, age and/or access to information among individuals. We need further efforts to ensure that the benefits of technological innovation are delivered promptly to those in need, thus eliminating gaps among individuals. New treatments in medical care, for example, will ensure that those who are ill are given the same opportunities as those who are healthy. Progress in health care will enable elderly people to enjoy life as much as the young, without worrying about physical handicaps. Innovation goes far beyond technology alone. It brings about comprehensive transformations that encompass the way people live in society. As such, it requires a completely new social system to be put in place. People and infrastructure are essential. Innovation is a key to productivity enhancement. It is also a key to strengthen the international competitiveness of Japan. Furthermore, innovation plays a vital role in making Japan's presence felt by offering new ways that we can contribute to the world as a nation. Above all, without innovation, the standard of living of people can never become better. |
When we look back at the triggers that led to successful innovations, there are three common factors: insurmountably high goals that looked impossible to achieve, people with high aspirations and ambitions, and entrepreneurs who were determined to persevere with new challenges until fruition. Great successes and breakthroughs came only after much trial and error, persistence and some luck. Our society as we know it today has been created and formed through innovations which began as creative ideas and, when combined with scientific knowledge, they transformed our social systems and institutions. These changes have further encouraged a series of subsequent innovations. In the last 100 years, humankind has seen the fastest and the most dramatic changes in our history. Remarkable progress in transportation technology has reduced physical distance, and radical changes in information and communication technology (ICT) have enabled people around the world to share information instantaneously. These changes have sometimes challenged and shaken our conventional wisdom, existing values, and societal norms that govern our lives and have been cultivated over many years. We must learn to live with the need to challenge and re-examine conventional wisdom. Globalization in the 21st century will proceed with many disruptions, but will not go back to the past. Over the past 50 years, Japan has gone through several stages of change. We grew into a significant economic power in the world in a short period after World War II and then experienced the collapse of the bubble economy in the late 1980s. After suffering and struggling through roughly 15 years of economic stagnation or the "lost decade and a half", Japan has now emerged to begin a new phase of economic development. We are now at a critical turning point: Japan is facing the new reality of globalization and further opening to the world. The key to this new phase is people with unique and exceptional talent who are often described as "nails that stick out" of a conformist society.
Unprecedented progress in transportation, information and communication technology such as satellite TV, computers and internet, brought us the "Global Age". In this era, people, products, services and money move throughout the world very quickly. Revolutionary change in information and communication technology has also brought about fundamental change in the way people think and the way the society works. We can find the impact of these changes in industry, the capital market, education and other aspects of the economy, to name a few. In this context, the role of science and technology as the engine for economic growth has been recognized increasingly. International competition in the field of science and technology, whether it is for investment or among people, has greatly intensified in recent years. Many countries throughout the world have recently recognized the importance of innovation and have actually begun various initiatives to develop national innovation systems. Ideas, scientific discoveries and inventions alone are not innovations. Scientific knowledge needs to be developed to meet the needs of society, and to be transformed and translated to deliver economic and social benefits, in order to realize its full potential. In this way, scientific knowledge contributes to society at large. Formulating and building a common interaction field, or shared context, often called an "Ecosystem" for its interaction, dynamism and diversity, is the foundation of national innovation policy.
In the global age, continuous entrepreneurship and speedy decision making are critical, particularly in big corporations and large organizations. The highest priority is the development and implementation of an innovation strategy, based upon an objective assessment of the entity's strengths and weaknesses. Innovation needs to be promoted strategically and recognize the needs of the people such that economic and social benefits are created. By "people" here we mean those who lead life, and not suppliers. People here are not limited to those in Japan or Japanese nationals. Japan is known throughout the world for its strengths in manufacturing (in the broad sense of the term) and "environmental or green" technology such as that for clean energy. We need to further develop these strengths by offering these products and services to Asia and the world. Technology is making the world smaller but at the same time, its market potential is increasing, sometimes beyond our imagination. Asia is the fastest growing region in the world and we need to recognize our advantage of being in the region. By offering Japan's assets in science and technology, which have been built through the continuous efforts of industry and society, we can make a significant and unique contribution to the world. We hope that this type of contribution through science and technology, more so than economic success, will ultimately make the presence of Japan felt and foster trust in our country.
In the global age, national boundaries do not limit our activities. In our effort to bring innovation to society, we must avoid limiting ourselves to Japan when identifying the needs of the people and society. In creating new values through innovation, the same principle holds true. We will overlook great potential and opportunities if we remain fettered by the value system currently prevalent in Japan. There are some universal needs that cut across the globe as well as specific needs unique to regions. We should open ourselves to these needs by striving to identify and meet them at both levels. In order to translate scientific knowledge and technology to meet the needs of society at large, we need to build the most optimal "Ecosystem" beyond national borders. In this global ecosystem, dynamic interactions among the people-the buyers and sellers-will exchange knowledge, information and funds regardless of national boundaries or origins. In order to create a truly innovative society, national policies and corporate strategies need to be based upon internationally recognized scientific evidence, rather than being constrained by precedents. Science continues into new frontiers and knowledge expands accordingly.
Every organization, whether it is political or corporate, charts its course based upon how people think, plan and behave. Thus, people are a critical ingredient for innovation. We need to identify those with the talent and skills for innovation so they can be developed. As noted previously, every innovation starts with people, high aspirations and persistence. In Japan, individuals who think creatively or "out of the box" are often called "the nail that sticks out (and must be hammered down)". One approach to developing such people is to let the young live overseas and gain experience a variety of settings. As the younger generation encounters and accumulates different experiences, a more "open Japan" will materialize. This is a requirement to make the "Second Opening of Japan to the World" happen. Advanced educational institutions, including universities, are institutions that have a significant role in realizing this goal. Universities are important as they provide opportunities and a place to compete and collaborate for the young generation with diverse backgrounds and fresh views, and free from the conventional wisdom. Graduate schools and research institutions are also required to adopt a global perspective. Major issues facing the world over the coming decades include global warming or climate change, resources and energy, water and food supply, population explosion, and poverty-basic security for humankind. In the face of these challenges, we need to identify a future vision for Japan in a rapidly growing Asia and world. For this objective, fostering innovative people with a global perspective is an urgent task ahead of us. IV. Japan 2025 through Innovation In this section, we present an image of Japan in 2025, based on various studies conducted by scientists and scholars, surveys of public opinion and forecast reports on future science and technology. Some ambitious examples include the possibility to have medical check ups with one tablet while asleep, cars that clean the air while being driven, and the potential to reduce earthquake casualties through emergency response measures implemented within 15 seconds of a major earthquake occurring. Innovation is critical to achieving such ambitions.
For long and healthy lives, new innovations could deliver:
Innovations can help us build a safe and secure society through:
Innovation can contribute to a society comprised of diverse work styles by:
By 2025, innovation could see Japan become a society where:
Innovation will make Japan more open to the world by:
V. Basic Strategy for Promoting Innovation We must clear numerous and formidable hurdles in technology, institutional structuring and the norms and unwritten rules of society at large to make this future vision for Japan a reality. The public also has dreams and expectations for Japan in 2025. These expectations cannot be met through a traditional approach. Breakthroughs are required in basic research and technological development, development of people with appropriate skill sets, and above all, a significant transformation in mentality of society. Only when they take place, will innovation happen. There are four basic premises of the strategy to attain this challenging goal.
VI. Policies to be Implemented in the Short Term National government policies requiring immediate action to launch the "Innovation 25" strategy are listed below with additional details provided in TABLE B.
Environmental and energy issues will increase in significance as efforts continue to promote world economic development. Clean energy, green technology, nanotechnology and biotechnology developed in Japan should serve as the main drivers for economic growth. This will provide Japan with an ideal opportunity to contribute to the resolution of these global issues.
As people are critical to continuous innovation and the source of competitive advantage in the fields of science/technology and education, they need to be the focus of policies. Currently the emphasis is on goods manufacturing. Doubling investment for the next generation is also important. Productivity will improve if the current emphasis in ICT investment is shifted from hardware to software and systems.
Universities throughout the world are in the midst of a dynamic transformation. Japan's universities would benefit from the provision of additional places for foreign students. By promoting collaboration and healthy competition among students from various backgrounds and nationals, universities will serve as a place to create and develop new talent and knowledge.
Successful implementation of the Innovation 25 strategy will require investment in basic and advanced science and technology research. Efficient systems and infrastructure will need to be developed to transform new scientific and technological knowledge into new innovative products, services and markets that will benefit society. As innovation inherently involves risk of failure, investment schemes and funding practices appropriate to manage the risk is critical.
Review of long-standing regulations and rules is needed in the face of globalization, declining population and the ageing of Japanese society. These regulations and rules served the original purposes for which they were enacted, but need to be examined from the objective of promoting innovation. Basic criteria for the review need to include an assessment of whether existing regulations and rules encourage innovation, and/or whether they promote the international competitiveness of Japan in the global age.
Comprehensive mechanisms are needed to integrate the three areas of innovation addressed in this strategy: science and technology, our social system and human resources. Sustaining innovation over the next 20 years to make Innovation 25 a reality will require persistent effort. Japan will become an innovative nation by 2025 only if top-down measures cutting across existing ministries and organizations are established, and if the people continue to persevere with the "Plan-Do-Check-Act" (PDCA) cycle. Based upon the report of this Council due at the end of May 2007, government guidelines will be formulated and policies will be implemented immediately to make Japan an innovation-driven nation. |
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TABLE A: Integrating and Promoting "Innovation in science and technology," "Innovation in social systems" and "Innovation in human resources" 1. Innovation in Science and Technology To achieve innovation in science and technology we will need to:
2. Innovation in Social Systems To achieve innovation in social systems we will need to:
3. Innovation in Human Resources and Creating Innovative Minds To innovate our human resources we will need to:
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TABLE B: Policies to be Implemented in the Short Term National government policies requiring immediate action to launch the "Innovation 25" strategy are listed below. 1. Global environmental issues as a driver for economic growth and international contribution Major actions required
2. Doubling the investment for the next generation (including investment for the younger generation and expanding IT use) Major actions required
3. University reform Major actions required
4. Investment increase for science and technology to ensure the Innovation 25 strategy delivers real value Major actions required
5. Innovation review-regulations, social systems, norms and rules Major actions required
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