Research Material-261
238

Digest of Japanese Science and Technology

2015
Indicators 2017
Aug. 2017
Research Unit for Science and Technology Analysis and Indicators

National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, MEXTThis material is the English translation of the executive summary of the “Japanese Science and Technology
Indicators 2017” published by NISTEP in August 2017.

【Contributors】
Yumiko KANDA

Senior Research Fellow, Research Unit for Science and Technology Analysis andIndicators, National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, MEXT

Akiyoshi MURAKAMI

Research Fellow, Research Unit for Science and Technology Analysis andIndicators, National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, MEXT

Naomi FUKUZAWA

Research Fellow, Research Unit for Science and Technology Analysis andIndicators, National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, MEXT

Masatsura IGAMI

Director, Research Unit for Science and Technology Analysis and Indicators,
National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, MEXT

Please specify reference as the following example when citing this NISTEP RESEARCH MATERIAL.
“Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017”, NISTEP RESEARCH MATERIAL No. 261,
National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, Tokyo.
DOI：http://doi.org/10.15108/rm261e

Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (ABSTRACT)"Science and Technology Indicators" is a basic resource for understanding Japanese science andtechnology activities based on objective and quantitative data. It classifies science and technology
activities into five categories, such as R&D Expenditure; R&D Personnel; Higher Education; Output of
R&D; and Science, Technology, and Innovation, and shows the state of Japanese science andtechnology activities with approximately 150 indicators. The report is published annually and shows
the latest results of the analyses of scientific publications and patent applications conducted by the
NISTEP.
This edition of "Science and Technology Indicators 2017" includes new indicators such as the direct
investment from government to business R&D, the graduates’ destination after completing master’s ordoctoral program in social sciences and humanities in Japan, and indicators about linkage between
science and technology, i.e., science linkages, using information of scientific publications described inpatent applications. Twenty five new indicators or the indicators with modified visualization are
introduced in total.
Overviewing the latest Japan’s situation from "Science and Technology Indicators 2017," it was
found that the R&D expenditure and the number of researchers in Japan is the third largest in majorcountries (Japan, the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, China and Korea), but the
number of new doctoral degree recipients per 1 million population is the sixth place in the majorcountries. In scientific publications and patent families, the number of scientific publications in Japan(fraction counting method) is the fourth in the world and the number of scientific publications withhigh citations is the ninth, the ranking of Japan in the latter has been declining in quicker pace. On theother hand, Japan continues to be the world first place in the patent family (patent applications to morethan two countries). Japan's high technology industry trade balance ratio has been declining since the1990s. After 2011, it experiences a foreign trade deficit and it is the sixth position in the majorcountries. Meanwhile, the medium high technology industry trade balance ratio is at an exports surplus,
keeping the first place among the major countries.

Blank page

1. Circumstances in Japan and the selected countries in terms of R&D expenditure(1) Japan's total R&D expenditure was 18.9 trillion yen in 2015 (OECD-estimate Japan: 17.4 trillionyen), the world's third largest after the United States and China. In terms of sectors, the R&D
expenditure of business enterprises accounted for a large part of the total R&D expenditure ineach of the selected countries.
Japan's total R&D expenditure was 18.9 trillion yen in 2015 (OECD-estimated Japan: 17.4 trillionyen). The United States' total R&D expenditure was 51.2 trillion yen in the same year, maintaining theworld's largest scale. With regard to China, its R&D expenditure reached 41.9 trillion yen in 2015,
exceeding that of the EU, despite the fact that the latter had been increasing over a long-term period. In
terms of sectors, the business enterprises sector accounted for the largest percentage of R&D
expenditure in all of the selected countries. This tendency is particularly notable in Asian countries,
whereas differences between the business enterprises sector and other sectors are relatively small inmajor European countries.
[Summary Chart 1] Changes in total R&D expenditure in the selected countries:
nominal values (converted using OECD purchase power parities data)

R&D expenditure (nominal values)Japan¥ trillions

60

Japan (estimated by
OECD)
U.S.

50

Germany

40

France
30

U.K.

20

China
Korea

10

EU-15

0

EU-28
1981 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 13 2015 Year

Reference: Chart 1-1-1, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)[Summary Chart 2] R&D expenditure by sector in the selected countries (2015): nominal values(converted using OECD purchase power parities data)
40

Business enterprises¥ trillions

Universities and colleges

Public organizations

Non-profit institutions

36.9

35

32.2

30
25
20
15

13.7

13.7

10
5
0

6.8
3.6

1.4 0.2Japan

2.1 1.4

2.1

0.2

Japan
(estimated by OECD)

7.8

5.4

U.S.

4.1

2.0 1.7

Germany

Reference: Chart 1-1-6, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)

-1-

6.8
1.3 0.8 0.1

France3.1

1.2 0.3 0.1

U.K.

3.0

China

5.9
0.7 0.9 0.1

Korea

(2) Japan's science and technology budget as a percentage of GDP is 0.65%, ranked fifth after Korea,
China, Germany, and the United States, among the selected countries.
In a comparison of the selected countries' science and technology budgets as percentages of GDP
with differences in their economy sizes taken into consideration, Japan's percentage in the most recent
year is 0.65%, the United States' is 0.80%, Germany's is 0.88%, France's is 0.63%, the United
Kingdom's is 0.54%, and China's is 1.02%. The percentage of Korea marks 1.21%, ranked top among
the selected countries.
[Summary Chart 3] Changes in government budgets for science and technology as
percentages of GDP in the selected countries

Ratio of government budget appropriations or outlays
for R&D / GDP

1.6

Japan

％

U.S.

1.4
1.2

Germany(Federal and State(Lander) government)

1.0

France

0.8
U.K.
0.6
0.4

China (Central andProvincial governments)

0.2

Korea

0.0
1983 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 13 15 2016year

Reference: Chart 1-2-2, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)-2-(3) Proportion of the funds, and most of the funds flow to "business enterprises." The flow from"business enterprises" to "universities and colleges" is small, accounting only for 2.6% of theentire amount used out of R&D funds.
According to the flow of R&D funds from funding sectors to performing sectors with reference toOECD estimates concerning Japan, "business enterprises" contribute to the largest proportion of thefunds, and most of the funds flow to "business enterprises." The flow from "business enterprises" to"universities and colleges" is small, accounting only for 2.6% of the entire amount used out of R&D
funds. With regard to R&D funds from "governments" to other sectors, the flow of such funds to"public organizations" is largest with 49.6%, followed by "universities and colleges" with 41.9%.
[Summary Chart 4] Flow of R&D funds from funding sectors to performing sectors in Japan (estimated by the OECD) (2015)

Reference: Chart 1-1-5, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)-3-(4) Compared with other countries, Japan's direct government funding to business enterprises islowest, while its indirect government support is relatively large.
Direct government funding (the amount funded by the government to support business enterprises'
R&D expenditure, which is expressed as a percentage of GDP) in Japan is low, whereas its indirectgovernment support (the amount of deducted corporate tax through R&D tax incentives, which isexpressed as a percentage of GDP) is high. For other countries, Russia's direct government funding ishighest, followed by the United States, Korea, and Hungary. Indirect government support is high in
Ireland, France, Belgium, and Korea. Both direct government funding and indirect government support
are high in Korea.
[Summary Chart 5] Direct government funding and indirect government support to help business enterprises
with R&D (2014)

As a percentage of GDP
0.0

0.1

0.2

Russian Federation
U.S.
Korea
Hungary
Austria
Slovenia
SwedenFranceIcelandCzech Republic
IsraelBelgium
U.K.
NorwayIrelandChina
Estonia
Germany
Spain
Finland
MexicoNew ZealandPortugal
BrazilPolandItaly
Denmark
TurkeyAustralia
Canada
Japan

0.3

0.4

0.5 ％

Direct government fundingof BERD
Indirect government
support through tax
incentives

Note: For Russia, its percentages in 2011 are shown; for Belgium, in 2012; and for the U.S., France, China, New Zealand, Brazil, Italy, and Australia, in 2013. For the othercountries, their percentages in 2014 are shown. No data on R&D tax incentives (indirect support) in Sweden, Israel, or Poland were provided.
Reference: Chart 1-3-9, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)-4-(5) The direct government funding of Japan and the United States is concentrated on large-scale
enterprises, whereas support for small- and medium-scale enterprises also carries a certain
weight in Germany and Korea.
With regard to direct government funding for R&D (the amount funded by the government tosupport business enterprises' R&D expenditure) according to the number of employees in Japan and theUnited States, business enterprises with at least 500 employees constitute a large part of receiving
enterprises, which account for approximately 90% of the total receiving enterprises. On the other hand,in Germany, business enterprises with 249 employees or less account for roughly 50% of enterprises
receiving the government's contributions; in Korea, such enterprises account for more than 50%.
[Summary Chart 6] Government contributions to the R&D expenditure of business enterprisesby the number of employees in the selected countries
100%
90%
80%

46.7

70%
60%

69.7
85.5

86.5

50%

79.5

250-499

22.4
5.5
8.6

20%

Government contribution tobusiness enterprises' R&D
expenditure

7.1

21.5

30%

0%

>=500

8.2

40%

10%

39.6

3.2
7.5
3.7

1.1
4.8
6.5

23.5

2013

2011

Japan
0.1 trillions ¥50-249
6.0

30.9

16.2

9.3
5.2

2013

2013

2013

2013

U.S.

Germany

France

U.K.

Korea

3.4 trillions ¥0.2 trillions ¥0.3 trillions ¥0.2 trillions ¥0.3 trillions ¥Reference: Chart 1-3-10, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)

-5-

<=49

2. Circumstances in Japan and the selected countries in terms of R&D personnel(1) The number of researchers in Japan was 662,000 in 2016, the third largest scale in the world after
China and the United States.
As one of the key indicators, the number of researchers is as important as the amount of R&D funds.
The number of researchers in Japan was 662,000 in 2016 (the actual number (head count [HC]) is907,000), the third largest scale in the world after China and the United States. The number of
researchers in Korea has exceeded those of France and the United Kingdom since 2010, reaching thesame level as that of Germany in the most recent year. By sector, the number of researchers in thebusiness enterprises sector is the highest in most of the selected countries, as is the case for R&D
expenditure. However, for the United Kingdom, the largest number of researchers is found in theuniversity and college sector.
[Summary Chart 7] Changes in the number of researchers in the selected countries

Number of researchers

10,000 people
200180Japan*

160

Japan(FTE)Japan(HC)

140

U.S.

120

Germany

100

France

80

U.K.

60

China

40

Korea

20

EU-15
EU-28

0
1981 84

87

90

93

96

99

02

05

08

11

14 2016 year

Note: China's definition of a researcher up to 2008 was not fully compatible with the OECD's definition, and consequently its method of measurement was changed in 2009.
For that reason, there is a break between the years leading up to 2008 and 2009 onward.
Reference: Chart 2-1-3, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)[Summary Chart 8] The number of researchers by sector in the selected countries
10,000 people

Business enterprises

Universities and colleges

120

Public organizations
Others
101.5

96.0

100

Non-profit institutions

80
60

48.6

39.2

40
20
0

20.2

13.7
3.0 0.9

Japan(2016)

U.S.(2014)29.9 30.6
10.2
5.3

Germany(2015)

16.2

7.3

2.8 0.4

France(2014)

11.0

28.4

16.9
4.1 2.6 0.5

0.8 0.3

U.K.(2015)

China(2015)

Korea(2015)

Note: 1) All the countries are based on FTE values.
2) The values of the U.S. are those estimated by the OECD. Since no value for recent years is available aside from those for the business enterprise sector, thevalues shown pertain to business enterprises and other sectors.
Reference: Chart 2-1-7, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)-6-(2) In the manufacturing industry of Japan, researchers with engineering-related specialized
knowledge account for a large proportion of the total number of researchers.
With regard to the fields of specialization of researchers in each industry classification, the numberof researchers specializing in the "electrical engineering & telecommunications engineering" field islarge in the "information & communication electronics equipment manufacturing industry," which is anarea of the manufacturing industry and holds a large number of researchers. In the "transportationequipment manufacturing industry," a large number of researchers specialize in the field of "mechanicalengineering, shipbuilding & aeronautical engineering." Meanwhile, in the non-manufacturing industry,
the number of researchers specializing in the field of "information science" is large in the "information& communication industry." In other industry classifications, the number of researchers in "information
science" is low. Furthermore, the total number of researchers specializing the field of "social sciences& humanities" is very low compared with other fields of specialization.
[Summary Chart 9] Fields of specialization of researchers belonging to business enterprises in Japan (2016)
Industry classification of researchers' business enterprises

Natural science

Researchers' fields of specialization

Manufacturing

Electrical engineering &telecommunications engineering

Non - manufacturing

Engineering

Mechanical engineering, shipbuilding &aeronautical engineering

Note: The values shown are HC values. Parentheses indicate the numbers of researchers.
Reference: Chart 2-2-8, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)-7-(3) In an international comparison of research assistants according to their operations, the numberof "other support staff" is higher than that of "technicians" in Japan, whereas the number of"technicians" tends to be higher in other countries.
The number of research assistants per researcher by sector and by operation indicates that the
number of "other support staff" is higher than that of "technicians" in Japan, whereas the number of"technicians" tends to be higher in other countries.
[Summary Chart 10] Operation-specific number of research assistants for each researcher
by sector in the selected countries
People0.8

Technicians

Other support staff

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1

Japan(2016)

Germany(2014)

France(2014)

U.K.(2015)

Universities and colleges

Non-profit institutions

Public organizations

Business enterprises

Universities and colleges

Non-profit institutions

Public organizations

Business enterprises

Universities and colleges

Non-profit institutions

Public organizations

Business enterprises

Universities and colleges

Business enterprises

Public organizations andNon-profit institutions

Universities and colleges(HC)Non-profit institutions

Public organizations

0

Business enterprises

Number of research assistants per researcher

0.7

Korea(2015)

Note: 1) Technicians (skilled workers and staff equivalent thereto) mean those whose primary tasks require technical knowledge and experience in one or more of the fields
of engineering, physics, life sciences, social sciences, and/or humanities. Normally, technicians are those who participate in R&D by engaging in scientific/technicaltasks associated with the application of concepts or actual methods, or with the use of research devices, under the instructions of researchers.
2) Other support staff are operating, administrative, secretarial and office work staff who are skilled or unskilled and participate in an R&D project or are directly
involved in a similar project.
3) Numerical values pertaining to "other support staff" at UK universities and colleges are not specified in the relevant reference material ("R&D Statistics" by theOECD), which is used as the source of the above-shown values.
Reference: Chart 2-3-2, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)-8-3. The situation in Japan in terms of graduates of universities and colleges(1) Approximately 90% of graduates of master's programs in "science and engineering" find "regular
employment," and most of such graduates are employed for "indefinite terms." Approximately
70% of graduates of doctoral programs in "science and engineering" find "regular employment,"
and only roughly 50% of such graduates are employed for "indefinite terms."
With regard to career paths chosen by graduates of master's programs in "science and engineering" in2016 (37,128 graduates), the percentage of those who found "regular employment" was 87.6%. The
percentage of those who found "regular employment" for "indefinite terms" was 86.8% of the total
graduates concerned, and those employed for "fixed terms" accounted for 0.8% of the total. With
regard to career paths chosen by graduates of doctoral programs in "science and engineering" in 2016
(4,809 graduates), the percentage of those who found "regular employment" was 68.6%. The
percentage of those who found "regular employment" for "indefinite terms" was 51.4% of the total
graduates concerned, and those employed for "fixed terms" accounted for 17.2% of the total.
[Summary Chart 11] Career paths of graduates in science and engineering(A) Career paths of graduates of master's programs in science and engineering
Percentages of career paths chosen by graduates ofmaster's programs in science and engineering

100%

Unknown

90%
80%

Other

70%
Further study

60%
50%

Regular employment

40%
30%

Among regular
employment cases,
for a fixed term

20%
10%
0%

1981 84 87 90 93 96 99
02
Reference: Chart 3-3-2, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)

05

08

11

Among regular
employment cases,
for an indefinite term

14 2016 Year

(B) Career paths of graduates of doctoral programs in science and engineering

Percentages of career paths chosen by graduates ofdoctoral programs in science and engineering

100%

Unknown

90%
80%

Other

70%
Further study

60%
50%

Regular employment

40%
Among regular
employment cases,
for a fixed term
Among regular
employment cases,
for an indefinite term

30%
20%
10%
0%

1981 84 87 90 93 96 99 02
Reference: Chart 3-3-3, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)

-9-

05

08

11

14 2016 Year(2) The percentage of graduates of master's programs in "social sciences and humanities" who find"regular employment" has increased, and approximately 60% of the total graduates concerned
are employed. With respect to graduates of doctoral programs in "social sciences andhumanities," although approximately 50% of the total graduates find employment, only roughly
30% of the total are employed for "indefinite terms."
With regard to career paths chosen by graduates of master's programs in "social sciences andhumanities," the percentages of those who found "regular employment" and those who went on to"further study" were both approximately 30% during the 1980s. Later, the percentage of those who
found "regular employment" increased, reaching 56.3% among graduates of master's programs in"social sciences and humanities" (11,458 graduates) in 2016. With regard to career paths chosen by
graduates of doctoral programs in "social sciences and humanities" in 2016 (2,135 graduates), thepercentage of those who found "regular employment" was 45.1%. However, only 29.8% of the total
doctoral graduates were employed for "indefinite terms," and 15.3% were employed for "fixed terms."[Summary Chart 12] Career paths of graduates in social sciences and humanities(A) Career paths of graduates of master's programs in social sciences and humanities
Percentages of career paths chosen by graduates ofmaster's programs in social sciences and humanities

100%

Unknown

90%
80%

Other

70%
Further study

60%
50%

Regular employment

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

1981 84 87 90 93 96 99 02 05
Reference: Chart 3-3-10, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)

08

11

Among regular
employment cases,
for a fixed term
Among regular
employment cases,
for an indefinite term
14 2016 Year

(B) Career paths of graduates of doctoral programs in social sciences and humanities
Percentages of career paths chosen by graduates ofdoctoral programs in social sciences and humanities

100%

Unknown

90%
80%

Other

70%
Further study

60%
50%

Regular employment

40%
Among regular
employment cases, fora fixed term
Among regular
employment cases, for
an indefinite term

30%
20%
10%

0%
1981 84 87 90 93 96 99 02
Reference: Chart 3-3-11, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)

05

08

11

14 2016 Year

Note: Graduates employed for indefinite terms mean those who are employed without a specific term of employment.
Graduates employed for fixed terms mean those whose terms of employment are stipulated as at least one year, and also whose prescribed weekly working hours
are around 30 to 40 hours.
"Other" means those who are in temporary employment, who work on a part-time basis, etc.

- 10 -

(3) In Japan, the number of graduates in "natural science and engineering" tends to be high as theacademic stage advances, specifically among master's degree recipients and doctoral degree
recipients. In the selected countries other than Japan, the number of graduates in "social
sciences and humanities" is largest even among master's degree recipients, and the number ofgraduates in "natural science and engineering" tends to be largest among doctoral degree
recipients.
According to the balance of fields among bachelor's degree recipients, master's degree recipients,
and doctoral degree recipients per one million of population, the number of bachelor's degree recipientsin "social sciences and humanities" is large in many of the countries. In Japan, the number of graduatesin "natural science and engineering" tends to be high as the academic stage advances, specificallyamong master's degree recipients and doctoral degree recipients. In contrast, in the other selected
countries, the number of graduates in "social sciences and humanities" is largest even among master's
degree recipients, and the number of graduates in "natural science and engineering" tends to be largest
among doctoral degree recipients.
In the countries concerned other than Japan, the numbers of bachelor's degree recipients, master's
degree recipients, and doctoral degree recipients per one million of population have increased at all
degree levels.
[Summary Chart 13] International comparison of academic degree recipients per one million of population(A) New bachelor's degree recipients(B) New master's degree recipients

6,000

Field
classification
unknown

5,000

Others4,000
Master's degree recipents per one million of
the population

Bachelor's degree recipents per one million of
the population

7,000

4,000
Natural scienceand engineering

3,000
2,000

Social sciences
and humanities

1,000
0

08 16 08 14 08 13 08 12 08 13 08 16 08 13 FY
Japan

U.S. Germany France

U.K.

Korea

Field
classification
unknown
Others

3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000

Natural scienceand engineering

1,500
1,000

Social sciences
and humanities

500
0
08 13 08 14 08 13 08 13 08 13 08 16 08 13
Japan

China

Reference: Chart 3-4-1, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017
(in Japanese)

U.S. Germany France

U.K.

Korea

China

FY

Reference: Chart 3-4-2, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017
(in Japanese)(C) New doctoral degree recipients
Doctoral degree recipents per one million of
the population

400

Field
classification
unknown
Others

350
300
250
200

Natural scienceand engineering

150
100

Social sciences
and humanities

50
0
08 13 08 13 08 13 08 13 08 13 08 16 08 13
Japan

U.S. Germany France

U.K.

Korea

FY

China

Reference: Chart 3-4-3, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)
Note: 1) The numbers of doctoral degree recipients in the U.S are the figures calculated by subtracting the figures for "law and economics," "medicine, dentistry, pharmacy,and health care," and "other" among the figures for first-professional degrees (such as the bachelor of medicine and the bachelor of law) from the figures for the"doctor's degrees" noted in the "Digest of Education Statistics."
2) With regard to China, the figures for individual fields are not known.
3) Each field classification includes the following:
Social sciences and humanities: humanities, art, law, economics, etc.
Natural science and engineering: science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and health care
Others: education, teacher training, domestic economy, etc.

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4. Circumstances in Japan and the selected countries in terms of R&D output(1) Compared with ten years ago, the number of Japanese papers has slightly declined (counted by
the fractional counting method). With other countries expanding their shares, the position ofJapan in the world rankings has moved down. The decline of Japan's ranking is remarkable inrelation to highly cited papers (the number of adjusted top 10% papers and adjusted top 1%
papers).
With regard to the number of scientific papers, which is one form of R&D output, the number ofJapanese papers (the average of PY2013–2015) is ranked 4th after the United States, China, andGermany, when counted by the fractional counting method that measures the degree of contribution topaper production. As to the number of adjusted top 10% papers, Japan is ranked 9th after the UnitedStates, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, and Australia. As to the number ofadjusted top 1% papers, Japan is ranked 9th after the United States, China, the United Kingdom,
Germany, France, Australia, Canada, and Italy.
Compared with ten years ago, the number of Japanese papers has slightly declined. It is clear thatJapan's ranking has moved down because of the growth of other countries in terms of the number of
papers. The decline of Japan's ranking is particularly remarkable in relation to highly cited papers suchas adjusted top 10% papers and adjusted top 1% papers.
[Summary Chart 14] Top 10 countries/regions in terms of the number of papers, the number of adjusted top 10% papers,
and the number of adjusted top 1% papers (based on the fractional counting method)
All fields
Country/Region
U.S.
Japan
U.K.
Germany
FranceCanadaRussiaItaly
Australia
Netherlands
All fields
Country/Region
U.S.
U.K.
Germany
Japan
FranceCanadaNetherlands
Italy
Australia
SwedenAll fields
Country/Region
U.S.
U.K.
GermanyJapan
CanadaFranceNetherlands
Italy
Switzerland
Australia

1993 － 1995 (PY) (Average)
The number of papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
182,13531.4
147,5888.2
242,5837.3
338,8906.7
430,361
5.2
523,2434.0
620,924
3.6
718,1403.1
8
11,982
2.1
9
11,6392.0
101993 － 1995 (PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 10% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
27,664
47.8
1
4,800
8.3
2
3,481
6.0
3
3,348
5.8
4
2,740
4.7
5
2,564
4.4
6
1,453
2.5
7
1,406
2.4
8
1,224
2.1
9
1,039
1.8
10
1993 － 1995 (PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 1% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
3,223
55.7
1
471
8.1
2
321
5.5
3
271
4.7
4
241
4.2
5
231
4.0
6
137
2.4
7
113
1.9
8
108
1.9
9
100
1.7
10

All fields
Country/Region
U.S.
Japan
Germany
China
U.K.
FranceItaly
CanadaSpain
India
All fields
Country/Region
U.S.
U.K.
Germany
Japan
FranceChina
Canada
Italy
Netherlands
Australia
All fields
Country/Region
U.S.
U.K.
Germany
Japan
FranceCanadaChina
Netherlands
Italy
Switzerland

2003－ 2005 (PY) (Average)
The number of papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
221,36726.1
1
67,8888.0
252,3156.2
351,930
6.1
450,8626.0
537,392
4.4
630,3583.6
727,8473.3
821,5272.5
920,3192.4
102003－ 2005 (PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 10% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
33,242
39.4
1
6,288
7.5
2
5,458
6.5
3
4,601
5.5
4
3,696
4.4
5
3,599
4.3
6
3,155
3.7
7
2,588
3.1
8
2,056
2.4
9
1,903
2.3
10
2003－ 2005 (PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 1% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
3,983
47.2
1
673
8.0
2
503
6.0
3
365
4.3
4
311
3.7
5
295
3.5
6
283
3.4
7
211
2.5
8
200
2.4
9
178
2.1
10

All fields
Country/Region
U.S.
China
Germany
Japan
U.K.
India
Francekorea
Italy
CanadaAll fields
Country/Region
U.S.
China
U.K.
Germany
FranceItaly
CanadaAustralia
Japan
Spain
All fields
Country/Region
U.S.
China
U.K.
Germany
FranceAustralia
Canada
Italy
Japan
Spain

2013 － 2015 (PY) (Average)
The number of papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
272,23319.9
1219,60816.0
264,7474.7
364,013
4.7
459,0974.3
549,9763.7
645,3153.3
744,8223.3
843,8043.2
939,4732.9
102013 － 2015 (PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 10% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
39,01128.5
121,016
15.4
2
8,426
6.2
3
7,857
5.7
4
4,941
3.6
5
4,739
3.5
6
4,442
3.2
7
4,249
3.1
8
4,242
3.1
9
3,634
2.7
10
2013 － 2015 (PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 1% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
4,700
34.3
1
1,954
14.3
2
961
7.0
3
763
5.6
4
476
3.5
5
433
3.2
6
419
3.1
7
384
2.8
8
335
2.4
9
299
2.2
10

Note: The number of articles and reviews was counted. Papers were sorted by publication year (PY). The number of citations was as of the end of 2015.
Reference: Chart 4-1-6, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)- 12 -

(2) With regard to scientific field shares in the number of Japanese papers, the shares of "basic life
sciences," "chemistry," and "physics" were large in the first half of the 1980s. Over time, "basic
life sciences" and "chemistry" have lowered, while "clinical medicine" has risen.
In the first half of the 1980s, "basic life sciences," "chemistry," and "physics" accounted for a large
share of the number of Japanese papers. However, a comparison between 1981 and 2015 shows that theshares of "chemistry" and "basic life sciences" have lowered by 9.3 points and 3.5 points, respectively.
On the other hand, the share of "clinical medicine" has risen by 13.7 points. In comparison between life
sciences ("clinical medicine" and "basic life sciences") and other fields, the share of life sciences has
increased by nearly 10 points in Japan.
[Summary Chart 15] Changes in scientific field shares in the worldwide number of papers and the selected countries'
numbers of papers (fractional counting)(A) Worldwide(B) Japan
100%

Chemistry

90%

50%

Materials
sciencePhysics
Computerscience/MathematicsEngineering
Environment/G
eoscience40%

Clinicalmedicine

80%
70%
60%

Scientific field shares in the number of papers for Japan

Scientific field shares in the international number of papers

100%

30%
20%

Basic life
sciences

10%
0%
1981

85

89

93

97

01

05

09

90%

Chemistry

80%

Materials
science70%

Physics

Engineering
Clinicalmedicine

40%
30%
20%

Basic life
sciences

10%

85

89

(C) U.S.

93

01

05

09

13 2015(PY)

100%
Chemistry

90%
80%
70%
60%
50%

Clinicalmedicine

40%
30%
20%

Basic life
sciences

10%

85

89

93

97

01

05

09

Chemistry

90%

Materials
sciencePhysics
Computerscience/MathematicsEngineering
Environment/G
eoscience

Scientific field shares in the number of papers for Germany

Scientific field shares in the number of papers for U.S.

97

(D) Germany

100%

0%
1981

Environment/G
eoscience

50%

0%
1981

13 2015(PY)

Computerscience/Mathematics60%

13 2015(PY)

Physics

70%
60%

Computerscience/MathematicsEnvironment/G
eoscience

Engineering

50%
Clinicalmedicine

40%
30%
20%

Basic life
sciences

10%
0%
1981

Note: The number of articles and reviews was counted. Papers were sorted by publication year (PY).
Reference: Charts 4-1-8 and 4-1-9, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)- 13 -

Materials
science

80%

85

89

93

97

01

05

09

13 2015(PY)(3) Japan has maintained its position as the world's highest in terms of the number of patent families(patents filed in two or more countries) for the last ten years.
This section looks at the status of patent applications by analyzing the number of patent families,
which is the number of inventions created in each country/region and measured in an internationallycomparable manner. Between 1990 and 1992, the United States was ranked first and Japan second.
Between 2000 and 2002, and between 2010 and 2012, Japan was ranked first and the United States
second. The increase in the number of Japanese patent families is attributable to the increase in its
patent applications in multiple countries. With regard to China in terms of the number of patent families,
although it was ranked fifth between 2010 and 2012, its number has been steadily increasing.
[Summary Chart 16] The number of patent families by selected country/region: top 10 countries/regions
1990 - 1992(Average)
Number of patent families
Whole counting
Country/Region
Patent Families
ShareWorld rank
U.S.
23,53728.7
1
Japan
22,051
26.9
2
Germany
14,111
17.2
3
France
5,601
6.8
4
U.K.
4,611
5.6
5
Italy
2,618
3.2
6
Switzerland
2,175
2.6
7
Netherlands
1,619
2.0
8
Canada1,593
1.9
9
Switzerland
1,254
1.5
10

2000 - 2002(Average)
Number of patent families
Whole counting
Country/Region
Patent Families
ShareWorld rankJapan
46,33230.2
1U.S.
43,501
28.3
2
Germany
26,93317.5
3France
9,153
6.0
4
U.K.
8,633
5.6
5
Korea
7,326
4.8
6
Italy
4,592
3.0
7
Canada4,376
2.9
8Netherlands
4,283
2.8
9
Switzerland
3,521
2.3
10

2010 - 2012(Average)
Number of patent families
Whole counting
Country/Region
Patent Families
ShareWorld rankJapan
64,27329.8
1
U.S.
48,847
22.6
2
Germany
30,097
13.9
3
Korea
20,0949.3
4
China
16,144
7.5
5
T aiwan
11,932
5.5
6France11,393
5.3
7
U.K.
8,647
4.0
8
Canada
5,990
2.8
9
Italy
5,557
2.6
10

Note: A patent family is a group of patents filed in two or more countries, directly or indirectly related to each other by priority rights. In many cases, the same patents filed in
multiple countries belong to the same patent family.
Reference: Chart 4-2-5, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)- 14 -

(4) The balance of technological fields in Japan as of 2012 showed that the shares of "electricalengineering" and "general machinery" were high, compared with the corresponding worldwide
shares. On the other hand, the shares of "biotechnology/pharmaceuticals" and "bio/medical
devices" were low, compared with the corresponding worldwide shares.
The balance of technological fields in Japan as of 2012 showed that the shares of "electricalengineering" and "general machinery" were high, compared with the corresponding worldwide shares(the worldwide shares of 18.8% and 10.9%, respectively; and Japan's shares of 25.3% and 14.3%,
respectively). On the other hand, Japan's shares of "biotechnology/pharmaceuticals" and "bio/medical
devices" were low, compared with the corresponding worldwide shares (the worldwide shares of 5.1%
and 5.0%, respectively; and Japan's shares of 3.4% and 3.3%, respectively).
According to changes in the shares of Japan's technological fields, although the share of "ICT"
increased over a long period of time from 1981, reaching 20.4% in 2008, it has declined in recent years.
The share of "electrical engineering" rose by 7.5 points between 1981 and 2012. Furthermore, the shareof "transport equipment" has increased in recent years.
[Summary Chart 17] Changes in technological field shares in the worldwide number of patent families andthe selected countries' numbers of patent families(A) Worldwide(B) Japan

90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%

100%
Electricalengineering

90%
Technological field shares in the number ofpatent families for Japan

Technological field shares in the number ofpatent families

100%

ICT
Generalmachinery
Bio/medical
devices
Chemistry
Biotechnology/pharmaceuticals
Mechanicalengineering
Transport
equipment
Other

80%
70%

50%
40%
30%
20%

80%

ICT

70%

Generalmachinery
Bio/medical
devices

60%
50%

90%

Chemistry
40%
30%
20%
10%

Biotechnology/pharmaceuticals
Mechanicalengineering
Transport
equipment
Other

Bio/medical
Chemistry devices
Biotechnology/pharmaceuticals
Mechanicalengineering
Transport
equipment
Other(D) Germany
100%

Technological field shares in the number ofpatent families for Germany

Technological field shares in the number ofpatent families for U.S.

90%

Electricalengineering

Generalmachinery0%20121981 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 year(C) U.S.
100%

ICT

60%

10%

0%
2012
1981 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 year

Electricalengineering

80%
70%

ICT
Generalmachinery
Bio/medical
devices60%

Chemistry

50%

Biotechnology/pharmaceuticals

40%
30%
20%
10%

2012
0%
1981 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 year

Electricalengineering

Mechanicalengineering
Transport
equipment

Other
0%
2012
1981 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 year

Note: A patent family is a group of patents filed in two or more countries, directly or indirectly related to each other by priority rights. In many cases, the same patents filed in
multiple countries belong to the same patent family.
Reference: Charts 4-2-8 and 4-2-9, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)- 15 -

(5) With regard to the linkage between science and technology (science linkage), a large number ofJapanese papers are cited by patent families around the world (second most in the world).
Although the number of Japanese patent families citing papers is also the world's second largest,these patent families account for only a small proportion of the total patent families of Japan.
In order to examine the linkage between science and technology (science linkage), information on
papers cited by patent families was analyzed. Japan ranks second in the world in terms of the number ofpatent families citing papers by country/region. However, the number of Japanese patent families citing
papers accounts for only 9.5% of its total patent families, suggesting that Japan's technologies do notcite scientific output as much as other countries' technologies do. On the other hand, the volume ofJapanese papers cited by patent families is second largest after the United States.
[Summary Chart 19] The number of papers cited by patentfamilies: top 10 countries/regions[Summary Chart 18] The number of patent families citing
papers: top 10 countries/regions
2005–2012 (Total)
Whole counting

No.

Country /Region1981–2012 (Total)(B) Total number of patent families(A) Patentfamilies citing
papersNo. of patentfamilies

Percentage ofpatent families
citing papers(A) / (B)

Whole counting

No.

Country /Region(B) Total number of papers(A) Papers citedby patent families

No. ofpapersPercentage of
papers cited bypatent families(A) / (B)

1 U.S.

100,720

383,812

26.2

1 U.S.

354,699

7,079,917

5.0

2 Japan

46,790494,925

9.5

2 Japan

78,187

1,821,236

4.3

3 Germany

41,606242,606

17.1

3 Germany

69,747

1,826,813

3.8

4 France

22,506

89,10625.3

4 UK

69,1291,824,576

3.8

5 U.K.

19,45369,30428.1

5 France

46,177

1,333,730

3.5

6 China

17,02696,432

17.7

6 Canada

36,687

1,006,284

3.6

7 Korea

12,571

151,249

8.3

7 China

30,766

1,353,245

2.3

8 Canada

11,91845,74826.1

8 Italy

30,330898,805

3.4

9 Netherlands

10,65936,434

29.3

9 Netherlands

23,388531,922

4.4

10 India

8,922

26,194

34.1

10 Switzerland

20,599401,594

5.1

Reference: Chart 4-3-2, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017}(in Japanese)

Reference: Chart 4-3-3, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017
(in Japanese)- 16 -

(6) In the technological fields of "electrical engineering" and "general machinery," which account fora large part of the composition of technological fields in Japan compared with the worldwide
levels of these fields, Japan's share of patent families citing papers tends to be low, incomparison with the corresponding shares of the United States and European countries.
According to the share of patent families citing papers in total patent families by technological field,
the share of "biotechnology/pharmaceuticals" is high and the shares of "mechanical engineering" and"transport equipment" are low in all the selected countries. As for the other technological fields relative
to each country's "biotechnology/pharmaceuticals", each of the United States, Germany, France, and theUnited Kingdom has a high share of patent families citing papers in the fields of "ICT," "generalmachinery," and "electrical engineering," in comparison with Japan.
In the technological fields of "electrical engineering" and "general machinery," which account for alarge part of the composition of technological fields in Japan compared with the worldwide levels ofthese fields (see Summary Chart 17), Japan's share of patent families citing papers tends to be low,compared with the corresponding shares of the United States and European countries.
[Summary Chart 20] Technological field shares in the selected countries' numbers of patent families citing papers(Relative value to "biotechnology/pharmaceuticals" in each country)

Technical field
Biotechnology/pharmaceuticals
Chemistry
Bio/medical devices
ICT
General machinery
Electrical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Other
Transport equipment

Japan
1.00
0.48
0.37
0.22
0.18
0.16
0.09
0.08
0.07

U.S. Germany France
1.00
1.00
1.00
0.58
0.50
0.59
0.43
0.38
0.41
0.36
0.41
0.41
0.40
0.32
0.41
0.29
0.22
0.31
0.15
0.09
0.11
0.12
0.05
0.06
0.08
0.06
0.07

Reference: Chart 4-3-5, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)- 17 -

U.K.
1.00
0.60
0.41
0.36
0.43
0.32
0.13
0.09
0.08

China
1.00
0.61
0.38
0.27
0.19
0.18
0.12
0.06
0.08

Korea
1.00
0.45
0.33
0.18
0.13
0.12
0.08
0.05
0.04

(7) Japanese papers in the fields of "clinical medicine" and "basic life sciences" account for a small
proportion of papers cited by Japan's own patent families, compared with "physics" and"materials science"; such papers are instead cited by other countries' patent families.
The linkage between scientific fields and technological fields in the world shows that a large numberof papers cited by patent families fall within the scientific fields of "basic life sciences," "clinicalmedicine," and " chemistry."[Summary Chart 21] Linkage between scientific fields and technological fields in the world

Reference: Chart 4-3-6, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)

With regard to which countries' patent families cite Japanese papers in each scientific field, a large
number of papers in "physics" and "materials science" are cited by Japan's own patent families (46.9%
and 42.2%, respectively). On the other hand, Japan's papers in "clinical medicine" and "basic life
sciences" account for a relatively small proportion of papers cited by Japan's own patent families(17.3%, respectively); such papers are instead cited by countries other than Japan.
While the number of papers in "clinical medicine" has been increasing (see Summary Chart 15), theshare of "biotechnology/pharmaceuticals" in the number of patent families is low despite the fact it is
the technological field that cites such papers the most (see Summary Chart 17). For that reason, thecurrent situation suggests that Japan's scientific knowledge is possibly not being sufficiently utilized byits own technologies.
[Summary Chart 22] Countries whose patent families cite Japanese papers
Japan

U.S.

Chemistry

France

23.9

U.K.

38.4

Material science

Scientific field

Germany

Physics

46.9

Engineering
Clinical medicine

17.3

Basic life sciences

17.3
0%

10%

29.0
10.2
39.7
49.7
30%

40%

Reference: Chart 4-3-7, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)- 18 -

50%

60%

4.4

7.5

3.2

5.4

4.2

7.0

3.9 3.6

6.1

3.6

6.0

7.0

8.3

3.7

6.1

4.7

5.9

4.5

8.8

4.0

6.0

5.4

5.1

10.9

46.4

4.8

7.7

54.9

20%

7.9

8.4

38.5

31.4
15.8

7.0

30.6

26.4

Environment/Geoscience

Korea

12.1

42.2

Computer science/Mathematics

China

6.3

12.1

7.6

70%

80%

7.8

6.0 2.0

8.5

5.8 2.2

90%

100%

5. Circumstances in Japan and the selected countries in terms of science, technology,
and innovation(1) Japan's trade balance ratio for high‐technology industries is the lowest among the selected
countries. However, in medium high‐technology industries, Japan maintains its position as thehighest among the selected countries.
In high-technology industries, Japan's trade balance ratio has continuously been on the decline,
having hit below 1 and having run import surpluses since 2011. The trade balance ratio of Japan in2015 was 0.75, which was at the same level as the United Kingdom and the United States whose ratios
had originally been low. Meanwhile, China and Korea have raised their balance ratios over a long
period of time; the balance ratio of the latter was highest (1.66) among the selected countries.
[Summary Chart 23] Changes in the trade balance ratios for high-technology industries in the selected countries
The trade balance of high technology industry

4
Japan
U.S.

3

Germany
France
U.K.

2

China
Korea
1

0
1990 92

94

96

98

00

02

04

06

08

10

12

14 2015Year

Note: 1) High-technology industries refer to "pharmaceutical," "computer, electronic and optical," and "aerospace."
2) Trade balance ratio = export value / import value
Reference: Chart 5-2-3, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)

Japan's trade balance ratio for medium high‐technology industries in 2015 was 2.64, which ranked it
number one among the selected countries. Changes in the trade balance indicate that it showed large
drop during the middle of the 1990s, and since then has kept declining gradually. While the tradebalance ratios of the United States, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom remain at the same level,
only those of Korea (1.84) and China (1.43) have increased.
[Summary Chart 24] Changes in the trade balance ratios for medium high‐technology industries in the selected countries

The trade balance of
medium-high technology industry

6
Japan

5

U.S.
Germany

4

France
3

U.K.
China

2

Korea

1
0
1990 92 94 96 98 00 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 2015Year

Note: 1) Medium high-technology industries refer to "chemicals and chemical products," "electrical equipment," "machinery and equipment n.e.c.," "motor vehicles, trailers
and semi-trailers," "railroad equipment and transport equipment n.e.c.," and "other."
2) Trade balance ratio = export value / import value
Reference: Chart 5-2-5, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese)- 19 -

(2) In Japan, both the business startup rate and business discontinuance rate are low, comparedwith those rates of the other selected countries, while the proportion of people without
entrepreneurial motivation is high in Japan. However, Japan's business survival rate after
business startup is high.
In Japan, the business startup rate is higher than its business discontinuance rate. However, both ofthese rates remain at low levels, compared with those rates of the other selected countries, and have notchanged much over time. With regard to the other selected countries, the business startup rate is higher
than the business discontinuance rate in the United Kingdom and France, while the businessdiscontinuance rate is higher than the business startup rate in the United States and Germany.
[Summary Chart 25] Changes in the business startup rates and business discontinuance rates of the selected countries(A) Business startup rate

20
18
16
14

%

Japan

12

11.7

10
8

10.4

6
4
2

U.S.

12.4

Germany

7.3

France

9.3

9.1

8.6

14.3

5.2
4.4

U.K.

0
2001

03

05

07

09

11

13 2015Year(B) Business discontinuance rate

20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

%

Japan
U.S.
Germany

10.2
9.8

9.2

7.6

7.0
4.4
2001

03

05

07

9.4

10.0

09

11

France
5.4
3.8

U.K.

13 2015Year

Note: It is necessary to pay attention to international comparisons in this regard since the method of calculating a business startup rate and a business discontinuance rate
differs from country to country.
<Japan> The business startup and discontinuance rates are calculated on the basis of the formation and extinguishing of business establishments in respect of which
necessary insurance relations have been established (applicable places of business). Specifically, the business startup rate is calculated by dividing thenumber of business establishments that newly establish employment relationships during the year concerned by the number of applicable places ofbusiness at the end of the previous year. The business discontinuance rate is calculated by dividing the number of business establishments whose
employment relationships extinguish during the year concerned by the number of applicable places of business at the end of the previous year. Applicable
places of business mean the number of business establishments that have established labor insurance relations pertaining to employment insurance.
<U.S.> The business startup and discontinuance rates are calculated on the basis of the generation and extinguishing of employers.
<U.K.> The business startup and discontinuance rates are calculated on the basis of the number of business enterprises registered for VAT (value-added tax) andPAYE (withholding income tax).
<Germany> The business startup and discontinuance rates are calculated on the basis of the number of business enterprises that have submitted the notifications ofbusiness commencement/discontinuance.
<France> The business startup rate is calculated on the basis of the number of business startup cases registered with/deleted from the SIRENRE database (the listof business enterprises and offices).
Reference: Chart 5-4-9, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese) (with data provided by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency)- 20 -

Regarding changes in the selected countries' percentages of people without entrepreneurial
motivation, Japan's percentage in the most recent year is 77.3%, the highest level among the countries
concerned. The difference between Japan and the other selected countries in this regard is as big as
approximately 40 points.
The business survival rate in Japan is relatively high, compared with the other selected countries.
Even after five years, 81.7% of business enterprises in Japan continue their businesses. On the other
hand, the business survival rates of the other selected countries after five years of business startup are
50% or less.
[Summary Chart 26] Changes in the percentages of people without entrepreneurial motivation in the selected countries

90

%

80

75.8

70

75.4

Japan

77.3

U.S.
Germany

60
50
40
30
20

France
42.9

39.2

U.K.

36.0
30.6
22.9

38.6
30.6

10
0
2001 02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11 2012 Year

Note: 1) Research results produced by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor ("GEM") are shown.
2) The percentage of "people without entrepreneurial motivation" is a percentage calculated by counting people to whom none of the three indicators, "the indicator of
entrepreneurial activity penetration," "the indicator of business opportunity perception" and "the indicator of knowledge, ability and experience," applies.
Reference: Chart 5-4-10, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese) (with data provided by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency)[Summary Chart 26] Changes in the post-startup business survival rates in the selected countries

100

%

81.7

Japan

80

U.S.

60

48.9

40

40.2

44.5
42.3

Germany
FranceU.K.

20
0Time offoundation

1st year

2nd year

3rd year

4th year

5th year(No. of years
elapsed after
foundation)

Note: 1) The business survival rate in Japan is calculated only on the basis of business enterprises whose company information is recorded on the database "COSMOS2(corporate profile database)" of Teikoku Databank, Ltd. In addition, since it takes a certain period of time until information is recorded on the database, thecalculated rate may be higher than the actual survival rate.
2) The business survival rate in each of the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and France is acquired from its average of the number of business enterprises that newly started
business during the period from 2007 to 2013.
Reference: Chart 5-4-11, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017 (in Japanese) (with data provided by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency)- 21 -

Characteristics of the Japanese Science and Technology Indicators
The Japanese Science and Technology Indicators is published annually to present the most recent
statistics/indicators at the time of publication. Items that allow time-series comparisons as well ascomparisons among the selected countries based on data that are updated each year in principle arecollected.

Use of original statistical data published by authorities in each country
Wherever possible, statistical data published by authorities in each country are used as the sources ofdata for indicators appearing in Japanese Science and Technology Indicators. Every effort has been
made to clarify each country’s method of collecting statistics and how it differs from other countries’
methods.

NISTEP conducted analysis of paper and patent databases
Paper data were aggregated and analyzed by NISTEP using Web of Science provided by Clarivate
Analytics. Patents family data were aggregated and analyzed by NISTEP using PATSTAT (the patent
database of the European Patent Office).

Use of “reminder marks” for international comparisons and time-series comparisons
The reminder marks “attention to international comparison”

and “attention to trend”

have been attached to graphs where they are required. Generally, the data for each country
conform to OECD manuals and other materials. However, differences in methods of collecting data or
scope of focus do in fact exist, and therefore attention is necessary when making comparisons in somecases. Such cases are marked “attention to international comparison.” Likewise, for some time series
data, data could not be continuously collected under the same conditions due to changes in statisticalstandards. Cases where special attention is required when reading chronological trends are marked“attention to trend.” Specifics for such points requiring attention are provided in the notes of individual
charts.

- 22 -RESEARCH MATERIAL No. 261
Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2017

August 2017

Research Unit for Science and Technology Analysis and Indicators
National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP)
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan

http://doi.org/10.15108/rm261e

http://www.nistep.go.jp