Highlights of
Science and Technology Indicators 2016

Research Unit for Science and Technology Analysis and Indicators
National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP)This material indicates the main points of the following reports released on August 4, 2016.
Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material‐251

Introduction

Science and Technology Indicators (from 1991,
annually released since 2005)• S&T activities are classified into five categories: “R&D expenditure,” “R&D
personnel,” “higher education,” “output of R&D,” and “science, technology andinnovation.”• Approximately 150 indicators are used to understand the situation of Japanand those of the selected countries.
• Long‐term (since the 1980s) S&T activities of Japan and the selected countries
are shown if time‐series data are available.
The main circumstances of S&T activities in Japan and the selected countries
derived from “Science and Technology Indicators 2016” and “Benchmarking
Scientific Research 2016” are as shown on the following slides.

21. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
in Terms of R&D Expenditure

Science and Technology Indicators 2016

 Japan's total R&D expenditure was 19.0 trillion yen in 2014 (OECD-estimate Japan: 17.5 trillionyen), the world’s third largest after the United States and China.
Changes in total R&D expenditure in the selected countriesJapan¥ trillions

R&D expenditure (nominal values)

50Japan (estimated by
OECD)
U.S.

45
40

Germany

35
30

France

25

U.K.

20

China

15

• The United States' total R&D expenditure was 46.9 trillion
yen in 2013, overwhelming all the other countries. After
surpassing Japan in 2009, China's total R&D expenditure
has constantly increased to 38.6 trillion yen in 2014.

Korea

10
5

EU-15

0

EU-28
2014
Year
1981 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 13• After remaining almost flat since 2009, Japan's total R&D
expenditure increased 4.6% in 2014 from the previous year
(OECD-estimated Japan: 4.8%).

Percentage of R&D expenditure by sector in the selected countries
100%

Public organizations andNon-profit institutions

80%• The business enterprises sector accounts for the largest
percentage of the total R&D expenditure. This tendency isparticularly clear in Asian countries including Japan.

Universities and colleges

60%
Public organizations

40%
Non-profit institutions

20%
0%

Business enterprises

Japan
2014

Japan
(estimated by
2014
OECD)

2014

U.S.
2013

Germany France
2014
2014

U.K.
2014

China
2014

Korea
2014

EU-15
2014

EU-28
2014

• In major European countries, the percentages of sectors
other than the business enterprises sector are higher
compared with the other countries.

Year(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 20163

1. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
in Terms of R&D Expenditure

Science and Technology Indicators 2016 The ratio of R&D expenditure in the manufacturing industry to that in the non-manufacturingindustry varied depending on the country. The percentage of R&D expenditure in the
manufacturing industry is relatively high in Japan among the selected countries.
The ratio of R&D expenditure in the manufacturing industry to that in the non-manufacturing industry in thebusiness enterprises sector of the selected countries
100%
90%

Ratio of R&D Expenditure

80%
70%
60%
50%

Non-manufacturing
Manufacturing

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

Japan
U.S.
Germany France
U.K.
China
Korea
(2012-14) (2010-12) (2011-13) (2011-13) (2011-13) (2012-14) (2012-14)• The percentage of the manufacturing industry is a little
less than 90% in Japan, Germany, China, and Korea.

• The percentage of the manufacturing industry is 70% in
the United States and the U.K., and a little higher than
70% in France.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 20164

1. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
in Terms of R&D Expenditure

Science and Technology Indicators 2016

 Direct government funding to business enterprises has been on the decline over the long term.

Indirect government support has been on the increase, though the amount of support changed
significantly depending on the year.
government's direct and indirect support to help business enterprises with R&D(A) Comparison of major countries (2011)(B) Changes in JapanAs a percentage of GDP
Russian Federation
Slovenia
United States
Hungary
Korea
Austria
SwedenCzech Republic
FranceIceland
Belgium
Estonia
Germany
Spain
NorwayUnited Kingdom
China
Ireland
New ZealandFinland
BrazilDenmark
Italy
TurkeyPortugal
Japan
CanadaSwitzerland
Slovak Republic

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

％
％

0.18

Indirect government support through R&D tax incentives
Direct government funding of BERD

0.16
0.14

As a percentage of GDP

0.0

Direct government funding of
BERD
Indirect government support
through R&D tax incentives

0.12
0.10
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0.00

1999 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 2013 Year

• Direct government funding to business enterprises has beenon the decline over the long term, but flat in recent years.

• Japan's indirect government support remarkably increased
in 2004, but decreased in 2008 and increased again in 2013.
• The changes in the amount of R&D tax incentives are
attributable to the changes in R&D tax incentives, market
conditions (economy, depression), and other factors.

(Note)Direct government funding is the amount funded by the government to support business enterprises' R&D expenditure, which is expressed as a percentage of GDP. Indirectgovernment support is the amount of deducted corporate tax through R&D tax incentives, which is expressed as a percentage of GDP.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 20165

2. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
in Terms of R&D Personnel

Science and Technology Indicators 2016 The number of researchers per 10,000 labor force in Japan has been relatively high among theselected countries. However, the growth of the number in the past 10 years has been slower
compared with many of those countries.
Changes in the number of researchers per 10,000 labor force
researcher / labor force

Japan*

Number of researchers per 10,000 labor force

140• In the first half of the 2000s, the number of researchers(FTE1) per 10,000 labor force in Japan was the largest of theselected countries. But Korea took over the top position fromJapan in 2009.

Japan(FTE)

120

Japan(HC)

100

U.S.
Germany

80

France60

U.K.

(Note) HC means the head count of researchers. FTE means the net number of
researchers when the degree of involvement in research is taken into
consideration.

China

40

Korea

20

EU-15
0
EU-28
1981 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 13 2014 Year

• The percentage of researchers in the business enterprises
sector in Japan, China, and Korea was higher compared with
European major countries.

Changes in the number of researchers per 10,000 labor force by sector• In the past ten years or so, Japan and the U.K. have shownno major changes in all sectors.

researcher / labor force

Number of researchers per 10,000 labor force by Sector

140

Graph data are for 2005 to 2014 (from left) for all countries except China, whose data are for 2009 to 2014

Business enterprises
Public organizations
Public organizations and Non-profit institutions
Non-profit institutions
Universities and colleges

120
100

• The other countries have been increasing the number of
researchers per 10,000 labor force at a constant pace,especially the number of researchers in the businessenterprises shows remarkable growth in Korea.

80
60
40
20
0

Japan(FTE)

Germany

France

U.K.

China

Korea

(Note) (1) "Researchers" in Japanese companies refer to those who completed anundergraduate course at a college (excluding two-year colleges), or those whohave equivalent or higher expertise. At the same time, they are involved inresearch for specific themes.
(2)There are no comments concerning the U.S. because the circumstances in the
country except the business enterprises sector is unknown from the data in hand.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 20166

2. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
in Terms of R&D Personnel

Science and Technology Indicators 2016 The ratio of researchers in the manufacturing industry to those in the non-manufacturingindustry varied depending on the country. Particularly in the U.K. and France, the percentage of
researchers in the non-manufacturing industry was higher than 50%.
The ratio of researchers in the manufacturing industry to those in the non-manufacturing industry inthe business enterprises sector of the selected countries
100%
90%

Ratio of researcher

80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%

Non-manufacturing
Manufacturing

20%
10%
0%

Japan
U.S.
Germany France
U.K.
China
Korea
(2013-15) (2010-12) (2011-13) (2011-13) (2011-13) (2012-14) (2012-14)• The percentage of the manufacturing industry is about 90% inJapan and about 80% in Germany, China, and Korea.

• The percentage of the manufacturing industry is about 60%
in the U.S. and less than 50% in France and the U.K. In
these countries, the percentage of researchers in the nonmanufacturing industry has been remarkably higher than theother countries.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 20167

2. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
in Terms of R&D Personnel

Science and Technology Indicators 2016

 In Japan, the number of researchers per 10,000 employees for each industry classification waslarger in the manufacturing industry than in the non-manufacturing industry.
Number of researchers per 10,000 employees for each industry classification in Japan (2015)
People
2,052
2,000
1,500

1,248
905

500

252

610

508

820

634

553

192

53

189

• The number of researchers engaged in the "information andcommunication electronics equipment" in the manufacturingindustry is the largest at 2,052, which is followed by the"business-oriented machinery" and "drugs and medicines".

Information services

Communications

Transportation equipment

Information andcommunicationelectronics equipment

Electrical machinery,equipment and supplies

Electronic parts, devices,and electronic circuits

Business oriented machinery

Iron and steel

Petroleum and coal products

Chemical products

Drugs and medicines

Non-Manufacturing

Manufacturing

0

308
3

Scientific research,
professional and technicalservices

547

Finance and insurance

967

1,000

All industries

Number of researchers per 10,000
employees by type of industry

2,500• In the non-manufacturing industry, the number of
researchers engaged in the "communications" (553) and the"scientific research, professional and technical services"(308) are relatively large, though smaller compared withthose in the manufacturing industry.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 20168

3. Situation in Japan in Terms of graduate

Science and Technology Indicators 2016 The percentage of the graduates in science and engineering who found employment in the non-manufacturing industry (except research and education) was 72.0% of the graduates of a bachelor’s
program and 42.2% of the graduates of a master’s program. Those percentages have been on theincrease over the long term. On the other hand, the percentage of graduates who found employment
in the non-manufacturing industry (except R&D) of a doctor’s program has slightly declined over the
past 10 years to 22.2%.
Employment status by industry classification of graduates in science and engineering

40%
Education

30%
20%
10%

Manufacturing0%1981 85

89

93

97

01

05

09

13 2015year• The percentage of the "manufacturing industry" was 50-60%
in the 1980s. The percentage in 2015 was 25.0%.

80%

Excluding
education andresearch inservice typeindustries
Research

70%
60%
50%
40%

Education

30%
20%
10%

Manufacturing

Others90%
80%

Excluding
education andresearch inservice typeindustries
Research

70%
60%
50%
40%

Education

30%
20%
10%

Manufacturing

0%

0%

1981

The ratio of the employment for industry classification

50%

90%

Non-manufacturing

60%

100%

OthersService type industries

Excluding
education andresearch inservice typeindustries
Research

70%

The ratio of the employment for industry classification80%

Non-manufacturing

90%(C) Graduates of a doctor's program inscience and engineering

Non-manufacturing

100%

OthersService type industries

The ratio of the employment for industry classification

100%(B) Graduates of a master's program inscience and engineering

Service type industries(A) Graduates of a bachelor's program inscience and engineering

85

89

93

97

01

05

09

13 2015 Year

1981

85

89

93

97

01

05

09

13

2015 Year• The percentage of the "manufacturing industry" was 70-80%
in the 1980s. The percentage in 2015 was 55.6%.

(Note) (1) The number of graduates who found employment includes work-study students.
(2) The following is the details of the service-related industries. Education: Those who found employment at
schools. For example, those who became faculties of universities fall under this category. Research: Those
who found employment at academic or R&D institutions (of which data have been collected since 2003).
Others: Information and communication, medical welfare, etc.
(3) "Others" in the non-manufacturing industry include construction, wholesale and retail, finance, and insurance,
public services, etc• The percentage of the "manufacturing industry" has hoveredaround 30%. The percentage in 2015 was 28.3%. The
percentage of the "education" sector in 2015 was 31.9%. The
percentage of the "research" sector in 2015 was 17.6%.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 20169

3. Situation in Japan in Terms of graduate

Science and Technology Indicators 2016

 Among the selected countries, Japan sending a smaller number of students to other countries

and also hosting a smaller number of students from other countries.
Country/region of origins and host country/region of foreign students with higher education (ISCED level 5–8) (2013)• China is sending the largest number of students to other countries (20.7% of the world total).
• The U.K. is sending the smallest number of students abroad (0.8％). Japan and the U.S. aresending a small number of students overseas (1.0% and 1.5%, respectively).
(Notes)(1) Students with education level equivalent to ISCED 2011 level 5–8 (such as Japanese colleges including
two-year colleges and technical colleges)(2) Foreign students refer to students who do not hold nationality of a host country/region.
(3) China includes Hong Kong.

• The U.S. is hosting the largest number of foreign students,
accounting for 24.0% of the world total.
• While sending many students to foreign countries, China and Korea
are hosting only a small number of foreign students. In contrast,
while not sending many students overseas, the U.S. and the U.K.
are hosting many foreign students.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 201610

4. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
Science and Technology Indicators 2016
in Terms of R&D Output
 The number of Japanese scientific publications remains at the same level as it was ten years
ago. However the position of Japan in the global rank moved down due to a growth of othercountries.
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

PY(published year)
2002–2004

U.S.
Japan
Germany
U.K.
China
FranceItaly
CanadaSpain
RussiaAll fields
Country/Region

PY(published year)
2012–2014

U.S.
China
Japan
Germany
U.K.
India
France
Korea
Italy
Canada2002－ 2004(PY) (Average)
The number of papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
213,31926.5
167,4758.4
251,2056.3
3
49,9846.2
442,2365.2
536,825
4.6
6
28,9263.6
726,0193.2
820,3732.5
920,0222.5
102012 － 2014(PY) (Average)
The number of papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
269,01620.5
1191,04314.5
264,7304.9
364,072
4.9
458,2084.4
546,4263.5
644,973
3.4
742,7473.3
842,5133.2
938,8523.0
10

All fields
Country/Region

U.S.
U.K.
Germany
Japan
FranceCanadaChina
Italy
Netherlands
Australia
All fields
Country/Region

U.S.
China
U.K.
Germany
FranceItaly
Japan
CanadaAustralia
Spain

2002－ 2004(PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 10% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
32,239
40.1
1
6,144
7.6
2
5,297
6.6
3
4,593
5.7
4
3,569
4.4
5
2,959
3.7
6
2,909
3.6
7
2,479
3.1
8
1,944
2.4
9
1,802
2.2
10
2012 － 2014(PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 10% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
38,96429.7
118,052
13.8
2
8,196
6.2
3
7,827
6.0
4
4,924
3.8
5
4,528
3.4
6
4,331
3.3
7
4,296
3.3
8
3,929
3.0
9
3,665
2.8
10

All fields
Country/Region

U.S.
U.K.
Germany
Japan
FranceCanadaChina
Netherlands
Italy
Switzerland
All fields
Country/Region

U.S.
China
U.K.
Germany
FranceCanadaAustralia
Italy
Japan
Spain

2002－ 2004(PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 1% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
3,897
48.5
1
647
8.0
2
484
6.0
3
364
4.5
4
292
3.6
5
270
3.4
6
234
2.9
7
191
2.4
8
186
2.3
9
169
2.1
10
2012 － 2014(PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 1% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
4,691
35.7
1
1,643
12.5
2
932
7.1
3
759
5.8
4
459
3.5
5
408
3.1
6
405
3.1
7
353
2.7
8
340
2.6
9
303
2.3
10

[Methods of counting papers](Fractional counting method) In the case where one paper is co-authored by Japanese Organization A and US Organization B, this method counts Japan as 1/2 and the U.S. as 1/2.
This indicates the degree of contribution to the production of papers.
(Whole counting method) In the case where one paper is co-authored by Japanese Organization A and US Organization B, this method counts Japan as 1 and the U.S. as 1. This
indicates the degree of participation in the production of papers.
For counting, both the methods are based on the countries of the organizations with which the authors are affiliated.
(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 201611

4. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
in Terms of R&D Output

Science and Technology Indicators 2016

 Japan has been ranked high in the number of patent families in the past ten years, and the

majority of those patent applications were filed in the United States.
Patent families by selected country/region(A) Number of patent families (top 10 countries/regions)(B) Selected countries/regions in which patent families were filed

1999 - 2001(Average)(Whole counting)
Country/Region Patent Families

Japan
U.S.
Germany
France
Yemen
Korea
Italy
Netherlands
CanadaSwitzerland

42,731
41,554
26,466
8,986
8,338
5,978
4,361
3,990
3,857
3,362

Share
27.8
27.1
17.2
5.9
5.4
3.9
2.8
2.6
2.5
2.2

World rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

2009 - 2011(Average)(Whole counting)
Country/Region Patent Families

Japan
U.S.
Germany
Korea
China
FranceTaiwanYemen
CanadaItaly

61,22946,41729,92918,501
13,715
11,141
10,892
8,453
5,807
5,460

Share
28.3
21.5
13.9
8.6
6.3
5.2
5.0
3.9
2.7
2.5

World rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

(a)Japan
100%

100%Europe (otherthan EPO)
European Patent
Office

90%
80%
70%
60%

North/Latin
America (otherthan the U.S.)

50%

90%
80%
70%
60%
50%

U.S.

40%

40%
30%

99–01

Asia (other thanJapan, China,
and Korea)

20%
10%

Korea
China

0%

81 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09
Japan
remains(d)U.K.
100%
in
Africa90%
first place 80%
Europe (otherthan EPO)

70%

European Patent
Office30%

North/Latin
America (otherthan the U.S.)

20%
10%

Japan

0%

100%
90%
80%

30%

81 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09(Notes)(1) Patent applications filed in home countries/regions are excluded.
(2) A patent family is a group of patents filed in two or more countries, directly or indirectly related toeach other by priority rights. In many cases, the same patents filed in multiple countries belong
to the same patent family.

European
PatentOfficeNorth/Latin
America(other thanthe U.S.)
Japan

100%

WIPO
90% Other
Middle East80%
Africa70%
Oceania
Europe60%(other than
European
EPO)
North/Latin
50%
PatentOfficeAmerica40%(other than
AsiaU.S.
(otherthe U.S.)
30%
than Japan,
Korea
China, and
20%Korea)
Korea

China
China
10%
Japan
0%
1

81 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09

40%

Korea
China

Europe(other than
EPO)

0%

50%
U.S.

Africa

10%

60%

50%

09–11

20%

70%

60%
40%

30%

(b)U.S.

20%
10%
0%

(e)China
AfricaEurope(other than
EPO)

European
PatentOfficeNorth/Latin
America(other thanU.S.
the U.S.)
Asia (otherthan Japan,
China, andKorea)
Korea

WIPO
Other
Middle East
AfricaOceania
Europe (other than EPO)
European Patent Office
North/Latin America (otherthan the U.S.)
U.S.
Asia (other than Japan,
China, and Korea)
Korea
China
Japan

Japan
85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09• Japan has filed 43.0% of its patent applications in the U.S. In the past 10
years. Japan has been increasing the percentage of its patent applications in
China, but the percentage of its patent applications in Europe has been
decreasing.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 201612

5. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
in Terms of Science, Technology, and Innovation

Science and Technology Indicators 2016

 Japan and the United States are dependent on each other in the technology trade, but Japan’s

dependence on the United States is more remarkable.
Technology exports and imports by partner country/region: Japan vs. the United States (2014)(A) Japan
Technology imports

Technology Exports
AffiliatedUnaffiliated1.2¥ trillions

1.5
1.2
0.9

0.6

0.6

0.3

0.3

0.0

0.0

U.S.
China
Korea
U.K.
Indonesia
Malaysia
ThailandTaiwanIndia
MexicoCanadaOthers0.9(B) U.S.
Technology Exports• Japan's largest trading partner in terms of technology importis the United States. This holds true for technology import to
U.S. affiliated and unaffiliated companies located in Japan.

¥ trillions

AffiliatedUnaffiliated

1.5
1.2
0.9

2

0.6

1

0.3

0

0.0

TaiwanKorea
Japan
CanadaU.K.
China
Germany
BrazilSwitzerland
Netherlands
Ireland
Others3

AffiliatedUnaffiliated

Japan
U.K.
Germany
Switzerland
MexicoCanadaSwedenFranceIrelandNetherlands
BrazilOthers4• Japan's largest trading partner in terms of technology export
is the United States. This holds true for technology export toJapanese affiliated and unaffiliated companies located in the
U.S.

Technology imports¥ trillions

5

AffiliatedUnaffiliated

U.S.
Switzerland
Germany
U.K.
FranceNetherlands
SwedenKorea
China
Canada
Italy
Others¥ trillions

1.5• For the U.S., Ireland is the largest partner in terms oftechnology export to U.S. affiliated companies there. This isbecause Ireland imposes the lowest level of corporate tax inthe EU region (as of 2014). Technology trade between
affiliated companies takes into account factors other thantechnological competence in that region.

(Note)(1) The amounts for Japan are financial-year-based.
(2) The definition of affiliated companies is different between Japan and the United States, which requires attention in international comparison. The following are major differences in the definition of affiliatedcompanies between the two countries:[Japan] A parent company owns more than 50% of the stake of its subsidiary company. The types of Japanese technology trade include 1) patent right, utility model right, and copyright, 2) design right, 3)technical know-how service and technical guidance (except ones provided free of charge), and 4) technical assistance to developing countries (including government-commissioned assistance).
[U.S.] If a company directly or indirectly owns 10% or more of equity or a voting right of another company, the subsidiary company is called an affiliated company. The types of U.S. technology trade include
1) industrial processes, 2) computer software, 3) trademarks, 4) franchise fees, 5) audio-visual and related products, and 6) other intellectual properties(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 201613

5. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
in Terms of Science, Technology, and Innovation

Science and Technology Indicators 2016 The increase in Japan's technology trade balance (exports/imports), excluding its affiliatedcompanies, indicates that Japan is increasing its technical competitiveness.
Technology trade ratios of Japan and the United States excluding their affiliated companies

The technology trade balance

10
9

U.S. (excluding affiliates)

8

Japan (excluding affiliates)

7
6
5
4

3.5

3

2.3

2
1
0

2001 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 2014 Year
• Japan’ technology trade ratio started to increase in thesecond half of the 2000s, climbing to as high as 2.3 in 2014.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 201614

5. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
in Terms of Science, Technology, and Innovation

Science and Technology Indicators 2016

 Percentage of product innovative firms in Japan is smaller than that in Germany and France inall firms. The percentage, however, is comparable among selected countries in R&D active
firms.
Percentage of firms that achieved product innovation in the selected countries(by involvement in R&D activities)

Percentage of product innovative firms％

100

All firms

90

All R&D active firms

80

All firms with no R&D

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Japan
(2009-12)

Germany(2010-12)

France(2010-12)

U.K.
(2010-12)

Korea(2011-13)• The percentage of firms involved in R&D activities in the business enterprises
section of each country is estimated to be 13.5% in Japan, 28.1% in
Germany, and 25.9% in France.
• One of the reasons why the percentage of firms that achieved productinnovation is high in Germany and France is that the percentage of all firms
implementing R&D activities is high.

(Note)The value for "all firms" in the U.K. is not shown.
(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 201615

5. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
in Terms of Science, Technology, and Innovation

Science and Technology Indicators 2016 The percentage of firms that achieved product innovation was higher in the manufacturingindustry than in the service industry. The percentages of Japanese firms that achieved productinnovation in the manufacturing industry and the service industry were lower than European
countries.

Percentage of product innovative firms

Percentage of firms that achieved product innovation in the selected countries(manufacturing industry vs. service industry)

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

％

All firms
Manufacturing
ServicesJapan(2009-12)

Germany(2010-12)

France(2010-12)

U.K.
(2010-12)

Korea(2011-13)• Between the manufacturing industry and the service industry,
the difference in the percentage of firms that achieved
product innovation is the largest in Korea and the smallest in
the U.K.

(Note)The value for "all firms" in the U.K. is not shown.
(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 201616

5. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
in Terms of Science, Technology, and Innovation

Science and Technology Indicators 2016

 In all countries, firms that were involved in product/process innovation activities attachedimportance to market related information as external sources of information.
External sources of information for firms involved in product/process innovation
activities in the selected countries

Percentage of product and/or process-innovating firms
citing source as ''highly important''

100％

Market sources (suppliers, customers, competitors, etc.)

90

Institutional sources (higher education, government)

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

Japan
(2009-12)

Germany(2010-12)• In all countries, 40-60% of the firms believe that the importance of"market related" information is greater, and such information is very
important.

U.K.
(2010-12)

Korea(2011-13)• In all countries, about 10% of firms believe that "institution related"
information is very important.

(Note)This survey targeted firms involved in product/process innovation activities (including ongoing and suspended activities).
(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2016, NISTEP Research Material-251, released on August 4, 201617

Summary• After remaining almost flat since 2009, Japan's total R&D expenditure increased 4.6% (OECD‐estimated Japan: 4.8%) to 19 trillion yen in 2014 (OECD‐estimated: 17.5 trillion yen) from theprevious year. The percentage of R&D expenditure in the business enterprises sector was larger
than in the other sectors.
• The number of researchers per 10,000 in the labor force in Japan was relatively large among theselected countries, but the growth in the number of researchers has been relatively slow among
the selected countries in the past 10 years.
• The ratio of R&D expenditure in the manufacturing industry to that in the non‐manufacturingindustry varied depending on the country. The percentage of R&D expenditure in the
manufacturing industry was relatively high in Japan among the selected countries.
• Among the selected countries, not only is Japan sending a smaller number of Japanese students toother countries, but it is also hosting a smaller number of students from other countries.
• The number of Japanese scientific publications remains at the same level as it was ten years ago.
However the position of Japan in the global rank moved down due to a growth of other countries.
• Japan has been ranked high in the number of patents (patent families) in the past ten years, andthe majority of those patent applications were filed in the United States.
• The percentage of firms that achieved product innovation was higher with the firms that wereinvolved in R&D activities than with firms that were not. The percentage of achievement in productinnovation was higher in the manufacturing industry than in the service industry. This tendency iscommonly seen in all the selected countries.
18

Presented by
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, Japan （MEXT）
For more information
http://www.nistep.go.jp