Research Material-283
238

Digest of Japanese Science and Technology

2015
Indicators 2019Nov. 2019
Research Unit for Science and Technology Analysis and Indicators

National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, MEXTThis document is the English version of the executive summary of the “Japanese Science and Technology
Indicators 2019” which was published by NISTEP in August 2019. The English version is edited by KANDA
Yumiko and IGAMI Masatsura.

【Contributors】
KANDA YumikoSenior Research Fellow, Research Unit for Science and Technology Analysis andIndicators, National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, MEXTMURAKAMI Akiyoshi

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

MATSUMOTO Kuniko

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

Senior Research Fellow, Research Unit for Science and Technology Analysis andIndicators, National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP), MEXTIGAMI Masatsura

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 2019”, NISTEP RESEARCH MATERIAL No. 283,
National Institute of Science and Technology Policy, Tokyo.
DOI：http://doi.org/10.15108/rm283e

Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (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 and S&T
personnel; Output of R&D; and Science, Technology, and Innovation and shows the state of Japanesescience and technology activities with approximately 180 indicators.

The report is published annuallyand shows the latest results of the analyses of scientific publications and patent applications conductedby the NISTEP.
This edition of “Science and Technology Indicators 2019” includes new indicators and columns suchas “the distribution of doctorate holders by sector in Japan and the United States,” “the relation between
the percentage of researchers in employees and the percentage of the doctorate holders in researchers
by industrial classification,” “time series of new doctoral degree recipients in selected countries,”“trends of scientific publications in sport sciences,” “trends in the amount of trade in selected countries,”and “number of unicorn companies by country/region and field” (totally about 20 indicators).
Overviewing the latest Japan’s situation from “Science and Technology Indicators 2019,” it was
found that the R&D expenditure and the number of researchers in Japan are the third largest in selected
countries (Japan, U.S., Germany, France, U.K., China and Korea).

The number of scientificpublications in Japan (fraction counting method) is the fourth in the world and the number of scientificpublications with high citations is the ninth. Japan continues to be the world first place in the patentfamily (patent applications to more than two countries).
edition.

These trends continue from the previous

The percentage of the doctorate holders in researchers differs by industrial classification andthe percentage in Japan is lower than the United States. The new doctoral degree recipients per million
population have been decreasing only in Japan among the selected countries.

Blank page

1. R&D expenditure: circumstances in Japan and the selected countries(1) Japan's total R&D expenditure was 19.1 trillion yen in 2017 (OECD-estimate for Japan: 17.5
trillion yen), the world's third largest after the United States and China.
Japan’s total R&D expenditure (nominal value) was 19.1 trillion yen (OECD-estimate for Japan:
17.5 trillion yen) in 2017, increased by 3.4% from the previous year (OECD-estimate for Japan:+3.6%). The United States maintained the world’s largest scale with its total R&D expenditure being
55.6 trillion yen in the same year and increased by 5.0% from the previous year. The R&D expenditureof China marked 50.8 trillion yen in 2017, increased by 9.7% year on year and approaching the level of
the US’s R&D expenditure.
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 Korea, Japan(estimated by OECD) and China, whereas differences between the “business enterprises” sector andother sectors are relatively small in major 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)

60

Attention tointernational
comparisonJapan¥ trillions

Japan(estimated by OECD)

U.S.

50

Germany
40

France
U.K.

30

China
20

Korea
EU-15

10

EU-28
0
1981 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 13 15 2017Year
Reference: Chart 1-1-1, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)[Summary Chart 2] R&D expenditure by sector in the selected countries (2017): nominal values(converted using OECD purchase power parities data)
Business enterprises
45

Universities and colleges

Public organizations

Non-profit institutions

Public organizations and Non-profit institutions¥ trillions

40.7

39.4

40
35
30
25
20
15

13.8

13.8
7.3

10
5
0

3.6

1.4 0.2Japan

2.1 1.4

9.3
5.3

0.2

Japan
(estimated by OECD)

U.S.

2.3

7.7
2.3 1.8

Germany

Reference: Chart 1-1-6, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)

-1-

4.3

1.4 0.8 0.1
France3.4

1.2 0.3 0.1
U.K.

3.7
China

7.4
0.8 1.0 0.1
Korea

(2) The growth of R&D expenditure by sector differs among the selected countries. While thebusiness enterprises sector has had strong growth in Asian countries, the “universities andcolleges” sector and “non-profit institutions” sector have risen significantly in European
countries and the United States. Among the selected countries, the R&D expenditure growth of
China has been the most significant in all sectors, followed by Korea.
According to the growth of R&D expenditure from 2000 to 2017 by sector, which shows R&D
expenditure in 2017 relative to that in 2000, the “business enterprises” sector had the highest growth inJapan, Japan (estimated by OECD), China and Korea, while the “universities and colleges” sector grew
the most in the United States and Germany. Although the “universities and colleges” sector saw growth
in France and the United Kingdom, the growth of their “non-profit institutions” sector was greater.
Nonetheless, the scale of the “non-profit institutions” sector is rather small in all the selected countries.
Furthermore, among the selected countries, the R&D expenditure growth of China was the mostsignificant in all sectors, followed by Korea.
[Summary Chart 3] R&D expenditure by sector in the selected countries:
the R&D expenditure in 2017 relative to that in 2000

Japan
Japan (estimated by OECD)
U.S.
Germany
France
U.K.
China
Korea

Nominal values
Business
Universities
Publicenterprises and colleges organizations
1.3
1.1
0.9
1.3
0.9
0.9
2.0
2.4
1.8
1.9
2.1
1.9
1.7
1.8
1.2
2.0
2.2
1.0
25.4
16.5
9.5
6.1
4.3
4.6

Non-profit
institutions
0.3
0.3
2.3
1.9
2.3
5.9

Note: For Germany, public organizations include non-profit institutions.
Reference: Chart 1-1-6, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)-2-

Real values
Business
Universities
Publicenterprises and colleges organizations
1.4
1.3
1.0
1.4
1.0
1.0
1.4
1.7
1.3
1.5
1.7
1.6
1.3
1.4
0.9
1.4
1.6
0.7
14.0
9.1
5.2
4.2
3.0
3.2

Non-profit
institutions
0.4
0.4
1.7
1.5
1.7
4.1

(3) In the United States, business enterprises in both manufacturing and non-manufacturingindustries have increased their R&D expenditure. In Japan, Germany and Korea, the R&D
expenditure in the manufacturing industry tends to be large relative to the expenditure i thenon-manufacturing industry. The expenditure of business enterprises in the non-manufacturingindustry tends to be greater in France and the United Kingdom than in other countries.
With regard to the R&D expenditure of the business enterprises sector by industry in the most recent
year, the following industries have undertaken large-scale expenditure in the respective countries: the“information and communication industry” in the United States, the “motor vehicles, trailers andsemi-trailers and other transport equipment industry” in Japan and Germany, the “professional,
scientific and technical activities industry” in France and the United Kingdom, and the “computer,electronic and optical products industry” in Korea.
[Summary Chart 4] Business enterprise R&D expenditure by industry in the selected countries¥ trillions
30

12¥ trillions
Manufacturingnec, other

25

10

20

5.3

5.9

Non-manufacturing

Manufacturing

15

Electricalequipment

8 2.9
3.6

Computer, electronic andopticalproducts

6
7.9

10 7.15Motor vehicles, trailersandsemitrailersandothertransport equipment

6.6

5.6

0 1.2

0.9

4 3.8

2

0

5.8

5

8.9

2

0.8
2.2

4

0.9

3.2

2.6 2.5

Chemicals andchemicalproducts

0.6
1.0

1.4 0.9

1.3

0.8
0.6 0.3
0.3
0.9

0.8
0.6
0.9

0.7
0.5
0.5

0.3
0.9

1.0

0.7

0.3
0.4
1.0

3.1

1.9

0.5 0.2

0.3

Non-manufacturing nec, otherServicesnec, other

1.1

Professional, scientific andtechnicalactivities

3.0

10

Pharmaceuticals, medicinalchemicaland botanicalproducts

Financialandinsuranceactivities
Information andcommunication15

08 10 12 14 16 Year
U.S.

6

08 10 12 14 16 08 10 12 14 16 08 10 12 14 16 08 10 12 14 16 08 10 12 14 16 YearJapan

Germany

FranceReference: Chart 1-3-6, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)

-3-

U.K.

Korea

(4) Direct government contributions to R&D expenditure of business enterprises are concentrated
on large-scale business enterprises in Japan and the United States, while such contributions tosmall- and medium-scale business enterprises have certain significance in Korea and Germany.
Direct government contributions to the R&D expenditure of business enterprises by the number of
employees show that more than 80% of the contributions go to the business enterprises with 500 or
more employees in Japan and the United States. In contrast, the percentage of business enterprises with49 or less employees is high in Korea (38.9%) and Germany (21.8%).
[Summary Chart 5] Direct government contributions to the R&D expenditure of business enterprisesby the number of employees in the selected countries
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%

69.8
87.8

85.5

>=500

5.7

250-49922.4
50-249

21.7

30%
20%
0%

71.7

6.6

40%

10%

33.0
49.9

3.5
4.1
4.7

1.9
5.4
6.5

21.8

5.5
8.6

5.3
9.5

16.2

13.4

38.9

2017

2016

2015

2013

2016

2017

Japan

U.S.

Germany

France

U.K.

Korea

Percentage ofgovernment
contributions in businessenterprises’ R&D
expenditure

1%

6%

3%

8%

8%

5%

Amount

0.1 trillionyen

2.5 trillion
yen

0.3 trillion
yen

0.3 trillion
yen

0.3 trillion
yen

0.3 trillion
yen

Reference: Chart 1-3-10, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)

4

<=49

2. R&D personnel: circumstances in Japan and the selected countries(1) The number of researchers in Japan was 676,000 in 2018, the third largest scale in the world after
China and the United States.
The number of researchers is as important as the R&D expenditure in terms of inputs to R&D. The
number of researchers in Japan was 676,000 in 2018 (the head count is 931,000), the third largest scalein the world after China and the United States. The number of researchers in Korea has reaching thesame level as that of Germany in the most recent year.
The number of researchers in the business 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 working in the universities and colleges sector.
[Summary Chart 6] Changes in the number of researchers in the selected countries
Attention tointernational
comparison

10,000 people
220200Japan*
Japan(FTE)Japan(HC)U.S.
Germany
France
U.K.
China
Korea
EU-15
EU-28

180
160

Number of researchers

Attention to
trend

140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1981 84

87

90

93

96

99

02

05

08

11

14

17 2018 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 2019 (in Japanese)[Summary Chart 7] The number of researchers by sector in the selected countries
Business enterprises

Universities and colleges

OthersPublic organizations and Non-profit institutions

10,000 people
120

Public organizations

105.6

97.3

100

Non-profit institutions

80
60

49.9
39.8

40

32.8 35.7

24.7
20
0

13.9

11.3

3.1 0.8
Japan(2018)

U.S.(2016)

17.4
5.4

Germany(2017)8.2

2.8 0.5

France(2017)

11.0

31.2

16.9
3.9 2.7 0.6

0.7 0.4
U.K.(2017)

China(2017)

Korea(2017)

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 2019 (in Japanese)-5-(2) Researchers with engineering-related specialized knowledge account for a large proportion in
the manufacturing industry of Japan.
As for the fields of specialization of researchers in each industry classification, the number of
researchers specializing in the “mechanical engineering, shipbuilding & aeronautical engineering” field
is large in the “transportation equipment manufacturing industry,” which holds the largest number of
researchers in the manufacturing industry. In the “information & communication electronics equipment
manufacturing industry,” a large number of researchers specialize in the field of “electrical engineering& telecommunications 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.” The number of researchers specializing in “information science” is small inother industry classifications.
However, the percentage of researchers specializing in the field of “information science” hasincreased by 1.0 percentage point compared to the previous year (8.6%).
The proportion of researchers specializing in the field of “social sciences & humanities” is small(1.3%).
[Summary Chart 8] Fields of specialization of researchers affiliated in business enterprises in Japan (2018)

Note: The fields of specialization of researchers are classified according to the contents of their current research (their duties). For the percentage of researchers
specializing in the field of “information science” in 2017, the “Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2018” was used as a reference.
Reference: Chart 2-2-8, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)6(3) The number of researchers with doctorate degrees in Japan is large in the “universities andcolleges” sector and has been increasing.
The number of researchers with doctorate degrees in Japan was 178,000 in 2018. The number of
researchers with doctorate degrees was largest in “universities and colleges” sector (133,000) and has
continuously been increasing. Although the number in “public organizations” sector was small (17,000),
it has been on an upward trend over the long term. In “business enterprises” sector, the number
continued to increase in the past, but has lost its momentum in recent years, resulting in 25,000 in 2018
(4.4% of all researchers).
[Summary Chart 9] Situation of researchers with doctorate degrees in each sector (HC)(A) Changes in the number of researchers with doctorate
degrees(B) Percentages of researchers with doctorate degrees among all
researchers

Number of researchers with doctorates

10,000 people

Researchers with doctorates/Researchers
70%

20
18

Businessenterprises

16
14

Publicorganizations

12
10
8
4

Universities
and colleges

2
0
2002

05

08

11

14

17

Businessenterprises

50%

Publicorganizations

40%

Non-profit
institutions

30%

Non-profit
instituions

6

60%

20%

Universities
and colleges

10%

Total

0%
2002

2018 Year

Note: Values are on a head count basis.
Reference: Chart 2-1-8, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)

7

05

08

11

14

17

2018 Year(4) The rate of utilization of advanced research personnel (the proportion of researchers with
doctorate degrees among all researchers) is low in Japan, compared with the United States.
As for the United State, in all industries shown in the figure, the proportion of researchers with
doctorate degrees among all researchers (the rate of utilization of advanced research personnel)
accounts for at least 5%. In contrast, the proportion is 5% or less in many industries of Japan,
suggesting that Japan tends to have a low rate of utilization of advanced research personnel, comparedwith the United States.
[Summary Chart 10] Relationship between the intensity of research personnel andthe rate of utilization of advanced research personnel by industry(A) Japan (2018）(B) U.S. (2016）

30

30

25

20

4,000 researchers
Drugs & medicines

15

Scientific research,
professional & technicalservices

10
Chemical products
Finance and insuranceElectronic parts,
devices, & electronic
circuitElectrical machinery,

5

0
0

5

General-purpose
equipment & supplies
machinery
Production machinery
Information &Transportation
communications
equipment

10

15

Information &communicationelectronics equipment
Business oriented
machinery

20

25

Rate of utilization of advanced research personnel[Proportion of researchers with doctorates among all researchers (%)]

Rate of utilization of advanced research personnel[Proportion of researchers with doctorates among all researchers (%)]

Circle areas correspond to the numberof researchers with doctorates.

30

Intensity of research personnel [proportion of researchers among employees (%)]

22,000 researchers

Chemicals (excluding
pharmaceuticals andmedicines)

25

Pharmaceuticals andmedicines

20

Professional, scientific,
and technical services

15

Electrical equipment,
appliances, andcomponents

10Computer andelectronic products

Machinery
Information

5

Transportationequipment

0
0

5

10

15

20

25

Intensity of research personnel [proportion of researchers among employees (%)]

Note: The intensity of research personnel is the proportion of researchers (HC) among employees. The rate of utilization of advanced research personnel is the proportion ofresearchers with doctorate degrees among all researchers (HC). For both Japan and the United States, this analysis covered business enterprises engaging in R&D.
<Japan> For the industrial classification of Japan, an industrial classification system for scientific and technological research and surveys based on the Japan Standard
Industry Classification was used.
<U.S.> For the industrial classification of the United States, the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) was used.
Reference: Chart 2-2-10, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)

-8-

30

(5) The proportion of female researchers remains low in the business enterprises but tends to behigher in the universities and colleges in the selected countries.
The proportion of female researchers varies by sector. The proportion is the largest in the“universities and colleges” sector in the case of Japan, Germany and Korea, accounting for 27.1%,
38.7% and 31.7%, respectively. In the case of France and the United Kingdom, the proportion is thelargest in the “non-profit institutions” sector, although the number of researchers itself is small in this
sector. Even for these countries, the proportion in the “universities and colleges” sector is the second
largest, accounting for 36.4% and 45.5%, respectively. For all countries, the proportion of female
researchers is the lowest in the “business enterprises” sector.
[Summary Chart 11] Shares of female researchers of the selected countries by sector

40

Business enterprises
Public organizations
Universities and colleges
Non-profit institutions
Public organizations and Non-profit institutions
50.5
45.5
42.1
38.7
38.1
36.4
36.3
35.4

30

27.1

％
60
50

20
10

18.5

21.1

20.3
15.3

31.7
28.6
26.1
16.0

14.7

9.6

0
(2018)(2015)(2015)(2016)(2017)

Japan

Germany

France

U.K.

Korea

Note: 1) The numbers of researchers were head count basis.
2) For the non-profit institutions sectors of France, the U.K., and Korea, the number of researchers was obtained by subtracting the numbers of researchers in thebusiness enterprises sector, the universities and colleges sector, and public organizations sector from the total.
Reference: Chart 2-1-11, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)9(6) In Japan, the proportion of females among newly hired researchers is higher than the proportionof females among all researchers.
Male researchers account for a larger proportion of newly hired researchers than their female
counterparts in all sectors. The proportion of female researchers among newly hired researchers ishigher than that of female researchers among all researchers.
At universities and colleges, the proportion of females among newly hired researchers in “naturalsciences” accounts for 32.0% (2018). The same proportion is large in “medical sciences” (37.2%) andsmall in “engineering” (14.3%).
[Summary Chart 12] Newly hired researchers in Japan(A) Newly hired researchers by gender
Male researcher
Female researcher
Ratio of the number of female researchers against the total

3.0

60

2.5

50

2.0

40

33.9

29.6

1.5

22.4 30

24.0
18.7

1.0

20

2014
2015
2016
2017
2018

0

2014
2015
2016
2017
2018

0.0

2014
2015
2016
2017
2018

10

2014
2015
2016
2017
2018

0.5

Businessenterprises

Publicorganizations

Universities
and colleges

Non-profit
institutions

Total

Ratio of the number of female researchers against the
total

％
70

2014
2015
2016
2017
2018

Number of newly hired researchers

10,000 people
3.5(B) Proportions of females among newly hired researchers by field (universities and colleges)
2017

2018

40
35
30
25
20
15

34.333.9

36.1
31.3

32.732.0
21.021.910538.937.2

15.314.3

Reference: Chart 2-1-21, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)

10

Medical sciences

Agriculturalsciences

Engineering

Natural sciences

Natural science andengineering

0
Total

Proportions of females among newly hired researchers(universities and colleges)％45

3. Graduates of universities and colleges: the situation in Japan(1) Among the selected countries, Japan is the only country that continues to show a decline in thenumber of new doctoral degree recipients per million population.
In the number of new doctoral degree recipients per million population, Germany has continued tohave the largest number among the selected countries since FY2000. The United Kingdom caught up
with the German level around FY 2010, and thereafter both countries have remained at around the samelevel. In FY2000, the levels of the United States and Korea were roughly the same as that of Japan.
Subsequently, the numbers of these countries grew steadily, reaching nearly double Japan’s number inthe most recent data. The number of new doctoral degree recipients per million population in Japan islower than in many of the selected countries, and Japan is the only country that continues to show along-term decline.
[Summary Chart 13] Changes in the number of new doctoral degree recipients in the selected countries(A) New doctoral degree recipients(B) New doctoral degree recipients per one million of
population

10,000 people

400

8

Japan

7

U.S.

6

Germany

5France

4

U.K.

3

China

2

Korea

1

Doctoral degree holders per one million of
the population

Doctoral degree holders

9people
Japan

350

U.S.

300

Germany

250

France

200

U.K.

150

China

100

Korea

50
0

0
2000

02

04

06

08

10

12

14

16

2018 FY

2000

02

04

06

08

10

12

14

16 2017 FY

Note: The number of new doctoral degree recipients in the United States is the value calculated by subtracting all the figures for “Professional fields” (formerly referred to as“First-professional degrees”) from the figures for “Doctor’s degrees” stated in the “Digest of Education Statistics.”
Reference: Chart 3-4-4, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)(2) In terms of overseas postgraduate students in Japan, the number of Indonesian postgraduate
students has increased. The number of Japanese postgraduate students in the United States
decreased from 2,508 in 2007 to 990 in 2017. The share of Japanese postgraduate students in thewhole number of overseas postgraduate students has dropped from 1.8% (2007) to 0.4% (2017).
Among overseas postgraduate students in Japan who specialize in the field of natural science, Chinese
postgraduate students account for the largest proportion, reaching approximately 10,000 students in
FY2018. Indonesian postgraduate students occupy the second rank, consisting of about 1,500 students.
Despite a large gap between the first and second rankings, the number of Indonesian postgraduate students
has steadily risen.
In relation to overseas postgraduate students in the United States, postgraduate students from India andChina account for a large proportion of the whole number. Although the gap between the first and second
rankings is not wide, the gap between them and the third-ranked country, Iran, is huge. The number of11

Japanese postgraduate students in the United States decreased from 2,508 in 2007 to 990 in 2017. The
share of Japanese postgraduate students in the whole number of overseas postgraduate students in the
country has dropped from 1.8% (2007) to 0.4% (2017).

[Summary Chart 14] Situation of overseas postgraduate students in Japan and the United States(A) Japan： Natural Science
10,000 people

Ranking(2018)

1.2

China ：First
1,800

peopleIndonesia ：2nd

1.0

Korea ：3rd

1,600

VietNam ：4th

1,400

0.8

Thailand ：5th
1,200

0.6

Bangladesh ：6th

1,000

Taiwan ：7th

800

India ：8th
Malaysia ：9th

600

0.4

Myanmar ：10th

400

U.S. ：16th
0.2

200

France ：17th0
2007 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 2018 FY

0.02007 08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Germany ：25th
U.K. ：39th

17 2018 FY(B) U.S.： Science and Engineering
10,000 people
12
Ranking(2017)

12,000peopleChina ：First

10

India ：2nd
Iran ：3rd

10,000

Korea ：4th

8

Saudi Arabia ：5th

8,000

Taiwan ：6th
6Bangladesh ：7th

6,000

Nepal ：8th
Canada ：9th

4,000

4

2,508

Nigeria ：10th

2,000

France ：18th

2990

Japan ：19th

0
2007 0802007 08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16 2017 Year

Reference: Chart 3-5-1 Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)- 12 -

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16 2017

Year

Germany ：20th

4. R&D outputs: circumstances in Japan and the selected countries(1) Compared with ten years ago, the number of papers from Japan slightly declined (counted by thefractional counting method). Due to the growth of other countries, the position of Japan in theworld rankings has moved down. The decline of Japan's ranking is remarkable in highly cited
papers (the number of adjusted top 10% papers and adjusted top 1% papers).
As for the number of scientific papers, which is one form of R&D outputs, the number of Japanese
papers (the average of PY2015–2017) is ranked 4th after the United States, China, and Germany, whencounted by the fractional counting method that measures the degree of contribution to paper production.
As to the number of adjusted top 10% papers, Japan is ranked 9th after the United States, China, theUnited Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Canada, and Australia. As to the number of adjusted top 1%
papers, Japan is ranked 9th after the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia,
Canada, France, 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 highly cited papers such as adjusted
top 10% papers and adjusted top 1% papers.
[Summary Chart 15] 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
China
Australia
All fields
Country/Region
U.S.
U.K.
Germany
Japan
FranceCanada
Italy
Netherlands
Australia
SwedenAll fields
Country/Region
U.S.
U.K.
Germany
Japan
FranceCanadaNetherlands
Italy
Australia
Switzerland

1995 － 1997 (PY) (Average)
T he number of papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
196,52829.6
156,2038.5
248,0367.2
345,7306.9
434,6985.2
524,6183.7
6
22,881
3.4
721,9633.3
8
14,6212.2
9
14,122
2.1
101995 － 1997 (PY) (Average)
T he number of adjusted top 10% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
29,957
45.1
1
5,556
8.4
2
4,231
6.4
3
3,939
5.9
4
3,188
4.8
5
2,879
4.3
6
1,787
2.7
7
1,655
2.5
8
1,440
2.2
9
1,194
1.8
10
1995 － 1997 (PY) (Average)
T he number of adjusted top 1% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
3,576
53.9
1
551
8.3
2
365
5.5
3
311
4.7
4
285
4.3
5
272
4.1
6
161
2.4
7
137
2.1
8
126
1.9
9
120
1.8
10

All fields
Country/Region
U.S.
China
Japan
Germany
U.K.
FranceItaly
CanadaIndia
Spain
All fields
Country/Region
U.S.
U.K.
Germany
China
Japan
FranceCanadaItaly
Spain
Netherlands
All fields
Country/Region
U.S.
U.K.
Germany
China
FranceJapan
Canada
Italy
Netherlands
Australia

2005 － 2007(PY) (Average)
T he number of papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
234,15325.0
173,9567.9
2
67,0267.2
354,7495.8
453,0595.7
539,252
4.2
632,9383.5
731,2693.3
825,3112.7
924,7362.6
102005 － 2007(PY) (Average)
T he number of adjusted top 10% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
34,775
37.2
1
6,773
7.2
2
5,849
6.3
3
5,487
5.9
4
4,506
4.8
5
4,028
4.3
6
3,592
3.8
7
2,887
3.1
8
2,287
2.4
9
2,241
2.4
10
2005 － 2007(PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 1% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
4,140
44.3
1
730
7.8
2
564
6.0
3
400
4.3
4
358
3.8
5
355
3.8
6
350
3.7
7
249
2.7
8
243
2.6
9
210
2.2
10

All fields
Country/Region
U.S.
China
Germany
Japan
U.K.
India
Korea
FranceItaly
CanadaAll fields
Country/Region
U.S.
China
U.K.
Germany
Italy
FranceAustralia
CanadaJapan
Spain
All fields
Country/Region
U.S.
China
U.K.
Germany
Australia
CanadaFranceItaly
Japan
Netherlands

2015 － 2017 (PY) (Average)
The number of papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
276,63818.8
1272,698
18.6
2
66,110
4.5
363,7254.3
461,003
4.2
555,7073.8
647,642
3.2
745,5203.1
845,2073.1
940,1082.7
102015 － 2017 (PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 10% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
38,34726.1
128,386
19.3
2
8,718
5.9
3
7,591
5.2
4
5,014
3.4
5
4,716
3.2
6
4,530
3.1
7
4,455
3.0
8
3,927
2.7
9
3,542
2.4
10
2015 － 2017 (PY) (Average)
T he number of adjusted top 1% papers
Fractional counting
Papers
Share
World rank
4,601
31.3
1
2,692
18.3
2
985
6.7
3
766
5.2
4
478
3.3
5
438
3.0
6
437
3.0
7
389
2.6
8
328
2.2
9
294
2.0
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 2018.
Reference: Chart 4-1-6, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)13(2) Japan has maintained the 1st position in the world in the number of patent families (patents filed in
two or more countries) in the past ten years. However, Japan’s shares in “information &communication technology” and “electrical engineering” have declined in parallel to the rise of Korea
and China.
This section examines 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 1992 and 1994, the United States was ranked first and Japan second. Between 2002 and2004 and between 2012 and 2014, Japan was ranked first and the United States second. The increase in
the number of Japanese patent families is attributable to the increase of patent applications to multiple
countries instead of any single country. China’s number of patent families has been steadily increasing
although it was ranked fifth between 2012 and 2014.
[Summary Chart 16] The number of patent families by selected country/region: top 10 countries/regions

Country/Region

1992 - 1994(Average)

2002 - 2004(Average)

2012 - 2014(Average)

Number of patent families（Whole counting）

Number of patent families（Whole counting）

Number of patent families（Whole counting）

Patent Families

ShareWorld rank

Country/Region

Patent Families

ShareWorld rank

Country/Region

Patent Families

ShareWorld rank

U.S.

25,060

29.3

1

Japan

52,514

29.4

1

Japan

62,585

27.1

Japan

22,332

26.1

2

U.S.

45,793

25.6

2

U.S.

52,79722.9

1
2

Germany

14,486

16.9

3

Germany

26,62914.9

3

Germany

26,949

11.7

3

France

5,647

6.6

4

Korea

12,686

7.1

4

Korea

23,023

10.0

4

U.K.

4,672

5.5

5

France

9,724

5.4

5

China

19,574

8.5

5

Italy

2,577

3.0

6

U.K.

8,490

4.8

6

T aiwan

11,600

5.0

6

Switzerland

2,199

2.6

7

T aiwan

5,546

3.1

7

France11,114

4.8

7Canada

1,797

2.1

8

Netherlands

4,745

2.7

8

U.K.

8,615

3.7

8

Netherlands

1,744

2.0

9

Italy

4,694

2.6

9

Canada

5,403

2.3

9

Korea

1,653

1.9

10

Canada

4,681

2.6

10

Netherlands

4,097

1.8

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 2019 (in Japanese)14

As for the shares of patent families by technological field between 2012 and 2014, Japan’s shareexceeds 30% for “electrical engineering” and “general machinery,” while Japan has relatively small
shares for “bio/medical devices” and “biotechnology/pharmaceuticals.” The global shares of Japan in
the “electrical engineering” and “information & communication technology” have both fallen byaround 8 percentage points, which is attributable to rapid growth in the global shares of China andKorea.
[Summary Chart 17] Comparison of the shares of patent families by technological fields in the selected countries(％, 2002-2004 and 2012-2014, whole counting)(A)Japan(B)U.S.

Electricalengineering

Electricalengineering
50

50

Others40

Others

ICT

40

20

Transport
equipment

GeneralmachineryTransport
equipment

Bio/medical
devices

Mechanicalengineering

100Mechanicalengineering
Biotechnology/
pharmaceuticals

200Bio/medical
devices
Chemistry(2002-2004)(2012-2014)(C)China(D)Korea

Electricalengineering

Electricalengineering

20

OthersBiotechnology/
pharmaceuticals(2002-2004)

ICT

Others10

GeneralmachineryTransport
equipment

Bio/medical
devices

Mechanicalengineering

0

Mechanicalengineering(2012-2014)

20

ICT
10

Transport
equipment

Generalmachinery

10

Biotechnology/
pharmaceuticals

Chemistry(2002-2004)

ICT

30

30

Bio/medical
devices

Biotechnology/
pharmaceuticals

Chemistry(2012-2014)(2002-2004)

Note: Same as Summary Chart 16. The items “ICT” in Summary Chart 17 stand for “Information and communication technology.”
Reference: Chart 4-2-10, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)

15

Generalmachinery0

Chemistry(2012-2014)

(3) Although the number of Japanese patent families that are citing papers is the world's second
largest, these patent families account for only a small proportion of the total patent families ofJapan.
In order to examine the linkage between science and technology, information on papers cited bypatent families (the total in the 2007-2014 period) was analyzed. Japan ranks second in the world interms of the number of patent families that are citing papers. However, the number of Japanese patentfamilies that are citing papers accounts for only 9.1% of its total patent families, suggesting that Japan's
technologies do not cite scientific output as much as other countries' technologies do.
On the other hand, the number of Japanese papers cited by patent families during the 2007-2014
period (the total in the 1981-2014 period) is the world's second largest after the United States, meaningthat many Japanese papers are cited by technologies around the world.
[Summary Chart 19] The number of papers that are cited bypatent families: top 10 countries/regions[Summary Chart 18] The number of patent families that are
citing papers: top 10 countries/regions
Whole counting
No.

Country /Region1 U.S.
2 Japan
3 Germany
4 France
5 China
6 U.K.
7 Korea
8 Canada
9 Netherlands
10 India

2007–2014 (Total)(A) Patent (B) T otal number of patent families
families citing No. of patent Percentage of patentfamilies citing papers
families
papers(A) / (B)
104,12144,39538,41522,33919,235
18,95014,042
11,422
10,0189,159

385,307487,764
218,430
86,402
118,596
66,823
158,298
43,20733,01627,139

27.0
9.1
17.6
25.9
16.2
28.4
8.9
26.4
30.3
33.7

Reference: Chart 4-3-2, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (inJapanese)

Whole counting
No.

Country /Region1981–2014 (Total)(B) Total number of papers(A) Papers
Percentage of papers
cited by patent
No. of papers cited by patent families
families(A) / (B)

1 U.S.
2 Japan
3 Germany
4 U.K.
5 France
6 China
7 Canada
8 Italy
9 Netherlands
10 Switzerland

386,655
80,78576,25975,75549,942
42,48240,56532,793
26,41922,646

7,773,669
1,977,900
2,021,362
2,014,621
1,473,247
1,823,178
1,123,128
1,021,471
600,059454,920

5.0
4.1
3.8
3.8
3.4
2.3
3.6
3.2
4.4
5.0

Reference: Chart 4-3-3, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (inJapanese)(4) Japanese scientific knowledge may not sufficiently be utilized from Japanese technologies
The most cited fields are “physics (53.3%)” and “material science (46.0%)” in Japanese papers cited by
Japanese patent families. On the other hand, the fields of “environment/geoscience (14.0%),” “clinicalmedicine (16.4%)” and “basic life sciences (16.2%)” are relatively less cited by Japanese patent families.
[Summary Chart 20] Connection between Japanese papers and the selected countries’ patent families
Japan

U.S.

Chemistry

Germany

U.K.

Physics

36.7

37.3

Environment/Geoscience

14.0

56.3

Clinical medicine

16.4

50.3

Basic life sciences

16.2

47.3

0%

10%

20%

5.5 3.03.1 6.3 3.6

10.1

39.6

23.8

Engineering

30%

Reference: Chart 4-3-7, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)

16

40%

60%

9.2

4.3

6.1

6.9

6.9

5.4 3.8 5.8 4.1

8.9

4.9 5.5

6.3 4.1

6.7

7.8

6.4 2.0

11.7

7.9

8.5

6.3 2.2

70%

80%

10.5
50%

7.5 3.3

7.7

6.7 4.3 4.0 5.4 4.8
25.2

53.3

Korea

7.0

28.7

46.0

Computer science/Mathematics

China
11.1

37.3

26.2

Material science

Scientific field

France90%100%

5. Science, technology, and innovation: circumstances in Japan and the selected
countries(1) The technology trade balance of Japan excluding trade between parent companies and theirsubsidiaries has continuously achieved surpluses since FY2006.
In Japan’s technology trade balance by industry (technology export minus technology import;
excluding trade between parent companies and their subsidiaries), which is regarded as an indicator ofinternational technological competitiveness, the industries of “transportation equipment” and “drugs &medicines” account for a large amount of technology trade and have recorded surpluses throughout therelevant period.
[Summary Chart 21] Japan’s technology trade by industry and its balance,
excluding trade between parent companies and their subsidiaries¥ trillions
Technology trade balance (technology export minus technology import)
excluding trade between parent companies and their subsidiaries

0.8

Other non-manufacturing
Other manufacturing

0.6

Information &communications

0.4

Chemical productsElectrical machinery,equipment & supplies

0.2

Information & communicationelectronics equipment

0.0

Drugs & medicines
Transportation equipment-0.2

All indusry-0.42002 03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16 2017 FY

Note: 1) The sorts of technology trade are as follows (excluding trademark rights): (1) Patent rights, utility model rights and copy rights, (2) Design rights, (3) Each kind oftechnological know-how provision and technical guidance (excluding free provision),(4) Technological aid for developing countries. (including
govern-ment-commissioned works)
2) Japan’s parent companies and subsidiaries are companies whose controlling share is over 50%.
Reference: Chart 5-1-4, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)17(2) In the amount of trade (export value), services account for a small proportion in Korea (11.0%),
Germany (17.8%) and Japan (20.2%), in contrast with the United Kingdom (44.7%), the UnitedStates (34.6%) and France (29.8%) for which the proportion of services is large.
The total value of imports and exports in the selected countries showed an upward trend until 2008.
After a temporary decline in 2009, it turned upward. In all countries, the volume of trade in goods ismore than in services (export value), but in the United Kingdom (44.7%), the United States (34.6%),
and France (29.8%), services account for a larger share.

[Summary Chart 22] Changes in the trade amounts of the selected countries
5$ trillion
Services
Goods

4
3

Exports

1

Imports

2

1

0

2
3

Germany, France, U.K. :1995 to 2018
Japan, U.S., Korea : 1995 to 2017
China : 1995 to 2016

4
5

Japan

U.S.

FranceGermany

Note: For China, available data did not classify its amount of trade into “goods” and “services.”
Reference: Chart 5-2-1, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)

18

U.K.

China

Korea

(3) Japan's trade balance ratio for high‐technology industries is the lowest among the selected
countries. However, in medium high‐technology industries, Japan maintains highest position
among the selected countries.
Japan's trade balance ratio in high-technology industries showed a continuous decline and it marked
0.78 in 2017. Japan ranked first among the selected countries in trade balance ratio for medium
high-technology industries at 2.71. The trade balance ratio shows a gradual decline following a rapid
drop in the mid-1990s.
[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
2

U.K.
China
Korea

1

0
1990

93

96

99

02

05

08

11

14

2017 Year

Note: 1) High-technology industries refer to "pharmaceutical," "computer, electronic and optical," and "aerospace."
2) Trade balance ratio = export value / import value
Reference: Chart 5-2-4, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)[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
U.K.

3

China
2

Korea

1

0
1990

93

96

99

02

05

08

11

14

17 2018 Year

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 5-2-6, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)19(4) The rate of product innovation realization in the information and communication service industry
is higher than that in the manufacturing industry, suggesting that the information andcommunication service industry has actively engaged in realizing innovations.
Proportion of business enterprises that realized product innovation in Japan, Germany and the United
Kingdom were examined by company size (large-sized enterprises and small- and medium-sizedenterprises) and the type of industry (“manufacturing industry,” “service industry” and “informationand communication service industry”), where the percentage of companies that realized productinnovation relative to the country mean were shown. According to the results of this examination,
figures associated with “large-sized enterprises” tend to be large in all the three countries.
In all of these countries, the rate of product innovation realization in the service industry is below “1”and the rate is smaller than that in the “manufacturing industry.” However, the rate of productinnovation realization by the “information and communication service industry” is higher than the
manufacturing industry’s rate, showing that the “information and communication service industry” hasactively engaged in realizing innovations.
[Summary Chart 25] Proportion of business enterprises that realized product innovation in Japan, Germany and the United
Kingdom (by company size and type of industry, where the percentage of companies that realized product innovation
relative to the country mean were shown)(A)Japan(2012-2014)
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0

Informatio
n andcommunic
ation serv.

Services(B)Germany(2012-2014)

Large

SMEs

Manufactu
ring

3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0

Informatio
n andcommunic
ation serv.

(C)U.K.(2012-2014)

Large

SMEs

Manufactu
ringServices

Reference: Chart 5-4-3, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)

20

3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0

Informatio
n andcommunic
ation serv.

Services

Large

SMEs

Manufacturing(5) The number of joint research projects implemented by Japanese universities and private
businesses, and the amount of research funds that Japanese universities received, are rapidly
increasing.
The number of joint research projects implemented between Japanese universities and private
businesses, and the amount of research funds that Japanese universities received, are rapidly increasing.
Among various types of university-industry collaborations, the amount of funds received for “joint
research” was the largest, reaching 62.3 billion yen as a whole, with 26,000 joint research projects
implemented. A large amount of such funds was provided by large enterprises, amounting to 49.7
billion yen in the latest year. The amount of funds received for “joint research” in total has increased by
10% or more each year since FY2015.
[Summary Chart 26] Changes in the funds received (breakdown) and number of projects implemented for joint research, etc.,
by Japanese universities and private businesses, etc.
¥ billions

70,00060

Endowedlecture/endowed researchdivision：National
Universities

60,00050

Amount of research funds received

Endowedlecture/endowed researchdivision：Public/Private
Universities

80,00050,00040
40,00030

Number of projects

70

Foreign enterprises

Domestic：microenterprises

30,000
Domestic：small andmedium enterprises

20

20,00010

010,00006

0912

15 17 06

Joint research

0912

15 17 06

Contract research

09

12

0
15 17 FY
Endowed lecture/endowed
research division

15 17 06

Clinical research, etc.

09

12

Domestic：large
enterprises

Number of projects

Note: Joint research: Joint research and development by institutions and private business, etc., in which the other party bears the expenses. Until FY2008, the amount offunding and the number of projects were classified according to the size of the enterprises - small and medium, micro and large enterprises.
Contract research: R&D conducted primarily by universities, etc., under a commission from private enterprises, etc., the costs of which are paid for by the private
enterprises, etc.
Clinical research, etc.: Clinical research on pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, etc., conducted primarily and independently by universities, etc., based on acontract with outside parties, the costs of which are paid for by the consignee. Clinical research includes histopathological examination outside the range of clinicalresearch as well as similar tests and surveys.
Endowed lecture/endowed research division: Values only for national universities up until FY2016. The measurement of values for public/private universities started in
FY2017.
Recalculation by NISTEP using the individual data of the “Status of Industry-Academic Collaboration at Universities, etc.” published by the Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Reference: Chart 5-4-8, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)- 21 -

(6) The entry rate in Japan has been on a gradual increase, it still remains at lower level compared toother countries. Furthermore, the proportion of individuals indifferent to business startup is highin Japan.
The entry rate of Japan was 5.6% in the latest data, which was the lowest compared with the rates ofother countries. France and the United Kingdom had the highest rates at 13.2% and 13.1%, respectively.
In comparison with 2001, the rate of entrepreneurship in Japan has been on a gradual increase, though
it still remains at a level lower than other countries.
[Summary Chart 27] Changes in the entry rates in the selected countries
Attention tointernational
comparison

％

20

Japan

18
16

U.S.

14

13.2
13.1

11.7

12
10

10.4
8.6

8
6
4

France9.3

9.1

Germany

6.7

5.6

U.K.

4.4

2
0

2001

03

05

07

09

11

13

15

2017 Year

Reference: Chart 5-4-11, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)

Changes in the proportions of individuals indifferent to business startup show that Japan’s proportionin 2017 was 75.8%, which was the highest among the selected countries and 32 percentage points awayfrom France that had the second highest proportion. The United States had the lowest proportion at
21.6%.
[Summary Chart 28] Changes in proportions of individuals indifferent to business startup in the selected countries
80

％

72.2

75.8

70

U.S.

60
50
40
30
20

Japan
Germany

47.3
43.9
36.0
34.4
29.0

43.5
40.3
39.3
32.1

France
U.K.
China

21.6

10
0
2013

2014

2015

2016

2017 Year

Note 1) Based on the results of Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) surveys.
2) “Individuals indifferent to business startup” here mean those individuals who answered “No” to all the three questions of “I know a person who started up a businessover the past 2 years,” “A chance useful for stating up a business will come in my area of residence within the next 6 months,” and “I have the knowledge, abilities
and experience necessary for starting up a new business.”3) The aggregation excluded individuals who answered “I don’t know” to the three questions and those who did not answer the questions.
4) With regard to France, there are no data for 2015.
Reference: Chart 5-4-12, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)22(7) Unicorn companies (privately held companies with a current valuation of US$1 billion or more)
have emerged in diverse categories; the majority of such unicorn companies are associated withinformation and communication services.
By using data (as of January 18, 2019) on unicorn companies on the basis of surveys conducted by
CB Insights of the United States, the situations of those unicorn companies in the world were examined.
A unicorn company means a privately held company with a valuation of US$1 billion or more. The
United States has the largest number of unicorn companies, 151 companies, followed by China with 79
companies. There is a significant gap between these two countries and the third-ranked country is theUnited Kingdom (16 companies). The number of unicorn companies in Japan is one, which is less than
the number in other countries. According to the categorization by CB Insights, unicorn companies
categorized into “Internet software and services” account for the largest proportion in the United States.
In China, the proportion of unicorn companies in “Internet software and services” and that in“e-commerce” are equally high. In the United Kingdom and India, the largest proportion is found in“fintech” and “e-commerce,” respectively.
[Summary Chart 29] Number of unicorn companies by category/country （2010 to 2018）
Companies

Companies
160

30

151

27
25

Cybersecurity

120

Travel Tech
20

16

2
5

China

0

U.S.

17
0

6

4

6

6

2

1
2
1

4

1
1

2

2

3

2

1

1
1

1

Healthcare

3

Fintech2

E-commerce

3

Internet Software & Services

Others44

On-Demand
2

Japan

40

5
7

Hardware

France12

10Indonesia

14

Social

13

Korea

60

15

Germany

20

Data Analytics

India

80

79

Auto Tech
16

U.K.

100

20

Other
Media

140

Note: 1) Prepared by NISTEP using data (as of January 18, 2019) on unicorn companies on the basis of surveys conducted by CB Insights of the United States.
2) With regard to the categories, the items specified by CB Insights were tentatively translated by NISTEP.
3) The years were those during which each company was judged as having a valuation of US$1 billion or more.
4) CB Insights, “Global Unicorn Club: Private Companies Valued at $1B+ (as of January 18, 2019) (obtained from its website on 2019/04/23).
5) According to the list published on the website of CB Insights as of July 1, 2019, there are two Japanese companies, and the worldwide total is 362 companies.
https://www.cbinsights.com/reports/CB-Insights-Global-Unicorn-Club_2019.xlsx
Reference: Chart 5-4-14, Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019 (in Japanese)- 23 -

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. The statistics/indicators are selected considering thefollowing two conditions: 1) the indicators should allow either of the time-series comparison or thecomparison among the selected countries and 2) the indicators should be possible to update annually inprinciple.

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
are collected in line with the OECD’s manuals. However, differences in methods or scope of collecting
data exist, and therefore attention is necessary when making comparisons in some cases.

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 statistical standards. 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.

24

RESEARCH MATERIAL No. 283
Digest of Japanese Science and Technology Indicators 2019

November 2019

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/rm283e

https://www.nistep.go.jp