Highlights of
Science and Technology Indicators 2015
andBenchmarking Scientific Research 2015
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 5, 2015.
1) Science and Technology Indicators 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐238
2) Benchmarking Scientific Research 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐239

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 and innovation.”• Approximately 150 indicators are used to understand the situation of Japan and those of theselected countries.
• Long‐term (since the 1980s) S&T activities of Japan and the selected countries are shown if time‐series data are available.

Benchmarking Scientific Research (from 2008,
generally released every two years)• Indicators of scientific publications are analyzed in detail.
• For each field of science, circumstances of Japan are analyzed on the basis of the number of
papers; of hot papers*; and of citations.
• Comparison with benchmarking countries.
*: Papers that rank in the world top 10% (top 1%) in
terms of the number of times they are cited.

The main circumstances of S&T activities in Japan and the selected countries derived from
“Science and Technology Indicators 2015” and “Benchmarking Scientific Research 2015” are asshown on the following slides.
21. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
in Terms of R&D Expenditure

Science and Technology Indicators 2015

 Japan’s total R&D expenditure/GDP is at a relatively high level among the selected

countries. However, the increase in the ratio compared with 10 years ago is partly
attributable to the decline of GDP.
<Trend in the total R&D expenditure/GDP in selected countries>
Japan

5

• The ratio of Japan’s total R&D expenditure/GDP was
3.75% in 2013 (OECD estimate: 3.45%)

Japan(estimated by OECD)
U.S.

Total R&D expenditure/GDP

4

Germany

3France
U.K.

2

China

• A certain part of Japan’s increase in total R&D
expenditure/GDP is attributable to the decline of its GDP.

Korea

1

EU-15

0

• The ratios of total R&D expenditure/GDP in the selected
countries’ (except for the U.K. and France) have shown
an increasing trend in the last 10 years.

1981 84

87

90

93

96

99

02

05

08

11 2013Year

EU-28• For the United States, Germany, China and Korea, total
R&D expenditure/GDP have risen as their economic
scales have expanded.

[Reference] Gross Domestic Products (GDPs) of the selected countries
Year
2004
2013
growth rate

Japan
(Billion yen)502,760.8
483,110.3

U.S.
(Billion dollar)
12,274.9
16,768.1

Germany(Billion euro)
2,267.6
2,809.5

France(Billion euro)
1,710.8
2,113.7

U.K.
(Billion pound)
1,255.2
1,713.3

China(Billion yuan)
16,095.7
58,667.3

Korea(Billion won)
876,033.1
1,428,294.6

EU-15(Billion dollar)
11,638.6
15,481.6

EU-28(Billion dollar)
13,089.8
17,915.6

-3.9%

36.6%

23.9%

23.6%

36.5%

264.5%

63.0%

33.0%

36.9%

Note: the GDP of each country is based on 2008SNA (except for Japan and China).

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐238, released on August 5, 20153

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

Science and Technology Indicators 2015

 The percentage of government‐funded R&D expenditure in Japan is low among theselected countries.
• The country with the largest percentage ofgovernment‐funded R&D expenditure among
the selected countries is France (35.0% in 2012).

Ratio of government - funded R&D

60<Trend in the ratios of government‐funded R&D expenditure in theselected countries>
Japan
％
Japan
(estimated by
OECD)
U.S.

50
40

Germany
30

France

20

U.K.

10

China

0
1981 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 2013 Year

• Japan’s percentage is the lowest among the sevencountries shown here. The percentage of thegovernment‐funded expenditure in 2013 was 19.5%(OECD estimate: 17.3%).

Korea• In Japan, the proportion of R&D expenditure funded by private
universities (9.6%, considered to be sourced mainly from tuition fees)
as well as the proportion funded by business enterprises (69.6%) are
high, compared with the other countries.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐238, released on August 5, 20154

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

Science and Technology Indicators 2015

 Regarding the R&D expenditure of universities and colleges in Japan, there has not been asignificant change in the proportion of the expenditure funded by business enterprises.

Ratio of R&D expenditure funded by the business enterprises<Trend in the ratio of the R&D expenditure of universities and colleges
funded by business enterprises>
Japan
50

％

45

Japan
(estimated by
OECD)
U.S.

40
35

• Although there has not been a significant change inmost of the countries in the last 10 years, Germany’s
percentage has increased and Korea’s has declined.

Germany

30
25France

20
U.K.

15
10

China

• Regarding the percentages of the expenditure fundedby business enterprises (all in the most recent year),
China was the highest (33.8%), followed by Germany(14.0%), Korea (11.0%), the U.S. (5.2%), the U.K.(4.1%),
and France (2.7%). Japan’s percentage was 2.5% (OECDestimate: 2.6%), the lowest among the selected
countries.

502000 01

Korea

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12 2013 Year

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐238, released on August 5, 20155

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

Science and Technology Indicators 2015

 The number of researchers per ten thousand labor force in Japan is relatively high among

the selected countries. However, the growth of this number has been small in the last 10
years, in comparison with many of the selected countries.
reseracher / labor force

Japan*<Trend in the number of researchers per ten thousand
Japan(FTE) labor force>

Number of researchers per 10,000 labor force

140
120

Japan(HC)

100

U.S.

• The number of researchers (FTE) per ten thousand labor
force in Japan is relatively high among the selected
countries (the number in Korea exceeded that in Japan in2009).

Germany

80

France60• Changes in the number of researchers during the past 10
years show that the number has risen in the selected
countries except for the U.K. On the other hand, thenumber of researchers in Japan (FTE) has remained
almost flat.

U.K.
China

40

Korea

20

EU-15
0
1981 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09 11 2013 Year
10,000 people
80
70

Graph
dataarearefor2005
for 2005
to 2014(fromleft)
all countries
except Germany
Graph data
to 2014(fromleft) forall forcountries
except Germsny& U.K., & the U.K.,
whose data
2005
to to
2013,
andandFrance& Korea,
whosewhose
data areforare2005
2012 to 2012
whose
dataareareforfor
2005
2013,
France& Korea,data
forto2005
and China,
forfor2009
to 2013.
and
China,whose
whosedatadataareare2009
to 2013.

Business enterprises

60

EU-28
10,000 people
160

120

Public organizations and Non-profit
institutions (Only for Germany)
Non-profit institutions

40• There has been a particularly significant increase in thenumber of university and college researchers in Germany,and in the number of corporate researchers in France
and Korea.

100
80

Universities and colleges
30

60

20

40

10

20

0
Japan（FTE)

Germany0FranceU.K.

<Trend in the number of researchers by sector>

140

Public organizations
50

Note: HC means the head count of researchers.
FTE means the real number of researchers counted by taking account of thedegree of their engagement in research.

Korea

China

Note 1: “Researchers” in business enterprises in Japan are those having completed auniversity or college course (excluding junior college courses) or possessing
equivalent specialized knowledge, and additionally engaging in researchbased on a specific theme.
Note 2: Since the figures of business enterprise sector are only available for the U.S.,
the trend is not shown.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐238, released on August 5, 20156

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

Science and Technology Indicators 2015

 With regard to Japanese researchers, while many male researchers belong to “businessenterprises,” the percentage of female researchers belonging to business enterprises issmall and many belong to “universities and colleges.”<Percentages of number of researchers by gender for each sector in Japan (2014)>

Male
Male Researchers
Researcher
761,803 (85.4％)
1.0
3.8

Female Researcher
Researchers
130,603 (14.6％)
Humanities and social sciences
Natural sciences
Engineering
Agricultural sciences
Medical sciences

1%
22%
72%
2%
2%

4.3

1.0
32.9

61.8

31.1
64.1

Humanities and social sciences
Natural sciences
Engineering
Agricultural sciences
Medical sciences

4%
35%
41%
9%
12%

* Percentages of the number ofindividual researchers by field ofspecialization

Business enterprises

Universities and colleges

Public organizations

Non-profit institutions

Note: The values are on a head count basis (actual number).

• The largest number of male researchers belong to“business enterprises” (64.1%), followed by “universities
and colleges” (31.1%).

• The largest number of female researchers belong to“universities and colleges” (61.8%), followed by“business enterprises” (32.9%).
* Individuals’ fields of specialization: these are the backgrounds of individual researchers,
not necessarily relating to the sectors (industrial classification and academic fields) of theorganizations they currently belong to.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐238, released on August 5, 20157

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

Science and Technology Indicators 2015

 A large number of both male and female researchers with doctorates belong to“universities and colleges.”

Male
Male Researchers
Researcher<The situation of doctorate holders in each sector by gender (2014)>

Non-profit institutions

Number of researchers with doctorates
Researcher(HC)Public organizations
Universities and colleges
Business enterprises
0

FemaleFemale Researchers
Researcher• Among both male and female researchers in“universities and colleges,” the proportion of
doctorate holders is high.

10

Non-profit institutions

20

30

40
50
10,000 people

Number of researchers with doctorates
Researcher(HC)Public organizations• The proportion of male and female doctorate
holders among researchers in “businessenterprises” is 4.4% and 3.0%, respectively.

Universities and colleges
Business enterprises0

Note: The values are on a head count basis.

2

4

6

8
10
10,000 people(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐238, released on August 5, 20158

3. Situation in Japan in Terms of Graduate Students

Science and Technology Indicators 2015

 The numbers of students newly enrolled in graduate schools for doctoral programs began

decreasing after reaching a peak in 2003. In particular, the number of enrolled students
other than adult students has fallen.
<The numbers of new enrollments in graduate schools (doctoral programs)>(A) Changes in number of new enrollments
in graduate schools by major subject (Doctoral programs)(B) Changes in number of adult students newly enrolled
in graduate schools (Doctoral programs)

10,000 people

10,000 people

2.0

2.0

1.8

Others1.6

The number of enrollment

50%

Socialscience

1.4

40%

1.5

37.7%

Humanities

1.2
1.0

Medicalsciences

0.8

Agriculturalsciences

0.6

Engineering

0.4

30%

Not Adult
students
Adultstudents
Ratio of
Adult
students

1.0
21.7%

20%

0.5

10%

Naturalsciences

0.2
0.0
1981

84

87

90

93

96

99

02

05

08

11

• The numbers of students newly enrolled in Japan’s graduate
schools for doctoral programs began decreasing after reaching apeak in 2003 (15 thousand enrollments in 2014).

0.02014 FY

2003

10

2014

0%
FY

• The ratio of the number of adult students newly enrolled in
doctoral programs against the total was 21.7% in 2003, but
increased roughly twofold to 37.7% in 2014.

Note: “Adult” refers to persons who have entered into employment to receive regular income such as pay, wage or remuneration as of May 1 of each year; it includes retired employees and housewives.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐238, released on August 5, 201510

3. Situation in Japan in Terms of Graduate Students

Science and Technology Indicators 2015

 The composition of students enrolled in graduate schools (for master’s or doctoral

programs, etc.) has gone through changes.
<The situation of adult graduate students (enrolled in programs) in Japan>

The number of all post graduate students and Adult
students

10,000 people

Adult students
Not Adult students
Ratio of Adult students

30

50%

• The total number of graduate students
started declining after having reached apeak in 2011, and the degree of increase in
the number of adult students started
shrinking.

• By field, the number of adult graduate
students in master’s and doctoral programs
40% in natural sciences has been on a downward
trend since around 2005.

25
20

30%
15

22.3%
20%

10
12.1%

10%

5
0
2000 01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

• Until 2010, both the total number of graduate students andthat of adult graduate students had been rising.

09

10

11

12

0%
13 2014 FY• The ratio of adult graduate students against all graduate students (enrolled
in programs) in Japan: 12.1% (in 2000) → 22.3% (in 2014)

Note: 1) Graduate students in this section mean those persons who are registered in a master’s program or the preliminary term of a doctoral program, a doctoral program or the latter term of a doctoral
program, or a professional graduate program.
2) For the definition of “adult,” please see the note on the previous page.

(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐238, released on August 5, 20159

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

Science and Technology Indicators 2015

 Although the volume of scientific papers produced in Japan has remained at the samelevel in recent 10 years, Japan has dropped in rank due to increasing volume of papers
produced by other countries.
<Top 10 countries/regions (fractional counting) in the number of papers and hot papers (top 10% and top 1%) >All fields
Country/Region

PY (Publication Year)
2001–2003

U.S.
Japan
Germany
U.K.
FranceChina
Italy
CanadaRussiaSpain
All fields
Country/Region

PY (Publication Year)
2011–2013

U.S.
China
Japan
Germany
U.K.
France
India
Italy
Korea
Canada2001－ 2003 (PY) (Average)
T he number of papers

All fields

Fractional counting
The number of papers

206,916
66,63550,85949,56036,60435,147
27,53024,763
20,253
19,341

Share
26.8
8.6
6.6
6.4
4.7
4.5
3.6
3.2
2.6
2.5

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

2011 － 2013 (PY) (Average)
T he number of papers

263,133
163,891
64,84363,08757,43344,45543,03440,76340,32337,809

Share
21.0
13.1
5.2
5.0
4.6
3.5
3.4
3.3
3.2
3.0

U.S.
U.K.
Germany
Japan
FranceCanadaItaly
China
Netherlands
Australia
All fields

Fractional counting
The number of papers

Country/Region

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

Country/Region

U.S.
China
U.K.
Germany
FranceJapan
Italy
CanadaAustralia
Spain

2001－ 2003 (PY) (Average)
T he number of adjusted top 10% papers
Fractional counting
The number of papers

31,430
6,042
5,196
4,561
3,549
2,816
2,337
2,313
1,858
1,722

Share
40.8
7.8
6.7
5.9
4.6
3.7
3.0
3.0
2.4
2.2

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

2011 － 2013 (PY) (Average)
T he number of adjusted top 10% papers
Fractional counting
The number of papers

38,50915,062
7,983
7,711
4,932
4,471
4,270
4,230
3,612
3,518

Share
30.8
12.0
6.4
6.2
3.9
3.6
3.4
3.4
2.9
2.8

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

All fields
Country/Region

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

U.S.
China
U.K.
Germany
FranceCanadaJapan
Australia
Italy
Spain

2001－ 2003 (PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 1% papers

Fractional counting
The number of papers

3,802
633
485
363
296
254
190
179
176
150

Share
49.3
8.2
6.3
4.7
3.8
3.3
2.5
2.3
2.3
1.9

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

2011 － 2013 (PY) (Average)
The number of adjusted top 1% papers

Fractional counting
The number of papers

4,613
1,405
880
749
459
419
367
365
311
310

Share
36.8
11.2
7.0
6.0
3.7
3.3
2.9
2.9
2.5
2.5

World rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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 andthe 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 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐238, released on August 5, 201511

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

Benchmarking Scientific Research 2015

 In many fields of science, Japan has dropped in rank in terms of the number of papers andthe number of hot papers (top 10% and top 1%).
<Changes in Japan’s position in world ranking of number of papers and number of hot papers(top 10% and top 1%)>ALL

Fractional counting(degree ofcontribution to
the production of
papers)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

ALL

All fields
ALL

Whole counting(degree ofparticipation in
the production of
papers)Top10 Top1

Top10 Top1

Materials science

Top10 T op1

Ranking of 2001–2003

Japan
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Chemistry

All fields

Japan

Rankingof
of 2001–2003
2001–2003
Ranking

Top10 Top1

ALL

Ranking of 2011–2013

Chemistry
ALL

ALL

Computer science /Mathematics
Top10 T op1 ALL Top10 Top1

Physics

ALL

Top10 Top1

Ranking
Rankingofof2011–2013
2011–2013

ALL

Top10 Top1

Environment /Geosciences
ALL Top10 T op1

Clinical medicine

Environment /Geosciences
ALL Top10 T op1

Clinical medicine

ALL

Top10 Top1

Basic life sciences
ALL

Top10 T op1

20th

Materials science

Top10 T op1

Engineering

Physics
ALL

Top10 T op1

Computer science /Mathematics
ALL Top10 Top1

Engineering
ALL

Top10 Top1

ALL

Top10 Top1

Basic life sciences
ALL

Top10 T op1

20th

Note: ALL: the world ranking of the number of papers
Top 10: the world ranking of the hot papers whose number of times cited is in the top 10% of the world.
Top 1: the world ranking of particularly hot papers whose number of times cited enters the top 1% of the world. The ranking at the bottom of the arrow shows the position of 2001–2003, and the ranking at the
tip shows the position of 2011–2013.

(Source) Benchmarking Scientific Research 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐239, released on August 5, 201512

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

Benchmarking Scientific Research 2015

 While the number of internationally co‐authored papers in Japan has increased, that ofdomestic papers began declining.
<Forms of co‐authorship in selected countries>
100,000

90,00020,36080,00021,171
3,123

70,0001,801

60,00050,000

8,446

7,632
4,510
23,897

6,589

12,123 14,021

15,380

8,305

5,084

14,312 18,844

4,538

12,677

12,76829,43729,931

Internationally co‐authored papers (among multiple
countries)
Internationally co‐authored papers (between two
countries)

24,350

Domestic papers

15,121 20,040

40,00030,00020,00055,922
41,607

38,270 38,853 37,931

40,397 38,558 40,031

59,384 57,789

55,12542,987

10,000U.K

Germany

PY2011-2013

PY2006-2008

PY2001-2003

PY1996-1998

PY2011-2013

PY2006-2008

PY2001-2003

PY1996-1998

PY2011-2013

PY2006-2008

PY2001-2003

PY1996-1998

0

Japan

Note: The values are based on the whole counting method.

• For the U.K. and Germany, the number of internationally co‐authored papers has remarkably grown and the number ofdomestic papers has remained at the same level since thelate 1990s.

• While the number of internationally co‐authored papers inJapan has increased, that of domestic papers began declining
after having reached a peak in the early years between 2000
and 2010.

(Source) Benchmarking Scientific Research 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐239, released on August 5, 201513

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

Benchmarking Scientific Research 2015

 While research activities have progressively become internationalized, Japan has been

losing its presence.
<Top 10, main co‐authoring countries and regions for the U.S. (2011–2013, %)>No. 1
All fields
Chemistry
Materials
sciences
Phy sics
Computerscience/
Mathematics

China

No. 2

U.K.
17.3%

China

No. 3

No. 4

Germany

CanadaNo. 5

France

No. 6

Italy

No. 7

Japan

No. 8

Australia

13.3%
12.4%
11.0%
8.2%
7.1%
6.3%
Germany
Korea
U.K.
FranceJapan
Canada
Italy

23.2%

No. 9

Korea

5.9%

No. 10

Spain
5.8%

India

5.4%
Spain

10.4%

8.3%
8.3%
6.0%
5.8%
5.4%
4.7%
4.5%
China
Korea
Germany
U.K.
Japan
FranceCanadaIndia
Australia
Italy
29.1%
13.3%
8.3%
6.9%
5.8%
5.1%
4.6%
4.2%
3.4%

4.4%
3.2%

Germany
U.K.
China
FranceItaly
Japan
CanadaSpain
RussiaSwitzerland
23.5%
18.5%
17.5%
15.6%
11.7%
10.5%
9.9%
9.9%
7.9%
7.4%
China
U.K.
CanadaGermany
FranceKorea
Italy
IsraelSpain
Australia
22.9%

8.6%
8.0%
7.8%
6.5%
China
Korea
CanadaU.K.
Germany
FranceItaly
Engineering
26.6%
9.7%
7.2%
5.9%
5.6%
5.2%
Env ironment/ China

8.6%

4.7%

4.0%
Taiwan

5.1%

3.9%
Japan

4.0%

3.2%

Japan
No. 13

Spain
3.9%

3.5%

CanadaGermany
FranceAustralia
Japan
Switzerland Italy
Spain
Geosciences
18.2%
14.6%
13.5%
11.7%
9.7%
8.7%
5.5%
5.1%
5.0%
4.8%
ClinicalCanadaU.K.
Germany
China
Italy
FranceNetherlands Australia
Japan
Spain
medicine
Basic life
sciences

U.K.

14.8%
China

14.8%
U.K.

15.3%

13.4%

12.8%
12.4%
9.8%
7.3%
7.2%
Germany
CanadaFranceJapan
Australia
Italy
11.2%

11.0%

• China has strengthened its presence as an international co‐
author for the U.S. (No. 1 as an international co‐author in
all fields and in six out of eight fields)

7.0%

6.5%

6.2%

7.0%

6.2%

5.4%
Netherlands

4.9%

4.7%

Spain
6.0%

• With regard to the U.S.’s international co‐authoring
countries, the position of Japan has been in decline. In
particular, in materials science, Japan’s position has moved
down from No. 1 to No. 5.

Note: The values are based on the whole counting method. The position at the bottom of the arrow shows Japan’s ranking during 2001–2003. The tip of the arrow shows Japan’s ranking during 2011–2013. Sharesrefer to the percentages of co‐authoring countries and regions in the U.S.’s internationally co‐authored papers.

(Source) Benchmarking Scientific Research 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐239, released on August 5, 201514

4. Circumstances in Japan and Selected Countries
Benchmarking Scientific Research 2015
in Terms of R&D Output
 For any field, the main institutional division of the production of papers within Japan isnational universities and colleges, and Japan’s structure is designed in a way that theiractivities have an impact on the entire country.
<Structure of main institutional divisions for number of papers and hot papers (top 10%) (fractional counting)>
Changesfrom 2001–2003
to 2011–2013

Number of Papers
All ofJapan

All fields-3%

Chemistry-12%

Materials science-21%

Physics-19%

Computer science/
Mathematics

10%

Engineering-4%

Environment/Geosciences

38%

Clinical medicine

13%

Basic life sciences0%

Changesfrom 2001–2003
to 2011–2013-2%

Chemistry-17%

Materials science-37%

Physics-12%

Computer science/
Mathematics

16%

Engineering-10%Environment/Geosciences73%

Basic life sciences

National
universities
National
universities
National
universities
National
universities
National
universities
National
universities
National
universities
National
universities
National
universities

2nd Institutional Division-4% Private universities-12% Private universities
Sp. corp./-12%
Ind. admin. corp.
Sp. corp./-14%
Ind. admin. corp.
15% Private universities
Business
7%
enterprises
Sp. corp./
41%
Ind. admin. corp.
0% Private universities-6% Private universities

3rd Institutional Division

Sp. corp./ Ind.
admin. corp.
Sp. corp./-9%
Ind. admin. corp.
Business-22%
enterprises
12%-13% Private universities
28%

Businessenterprises

8%
2%

-15%
-43%

-37% Private universities

27%

43% Private universities

37%

Sp. corp./
32%
Ind. admin. corp.
Sp. corp./
15%
Ind. admin. corp.

29%
1%

1st Institutional Division
National
universities
National
universities
National
universities
National
universities
National
universities
National
universities
National
universities
National
universities
National
universities

-1%
-13%
-36%
-1%

2nd Institutional Division
Sp. corp./ Ind.
admin. corp.
Sp. corp./
Ind. admin. corp.
Sp. corp./
Ind. admin. corp.
Sp. corp./
Ind. admin. corp.

29% Private universities
Businessenterprises
Sp. corp./
76%
Ind. admin. corp.
-3%• Changes from 2001–2003 to 2011–2013 indicate thatthe slow growth in the number of papers in Japan is
attributable to a slow growth in the number of papers
produced by the 1st Institutional Division, i.e., national
universities.

52%
17%

3rd Institutional Division

11% Private universities

9%0% Private universities-28%-7% Private universities-48%-7% Private universities-7%

Business
37%
enterprises
Sp. corp./-44%
Ind. admin. corp.

• In chemistry, materials science and physics, Japan used
to have a relatively high share of the number of papers.
However, this share has now declined (under almost all
the 1st to 3rd Institutional Divisions).

-40%

Number of Adjusted Top 10% Papers
All ofJapan

All fields

Clinical medicine

1st Institutional Division

-28%
14%

115% Private universities

17%

15% Private universities

Sp. corp./
63%
Ind. admin. corp.

40%

Sp. corp./
4%
Ind. admin. corp.

15% Private universities

5%• Although the number of adjusted top 10% papers shows
almost the same composition as that of the number of
papers, special corporations/independentadministrative corporations have the second largest
share in five fields.
Note1: Fractional counting is employed for analysis. The growth rates (%) in the chartsshow the increase during the period of 2011–2013 on the basis of the period of
2001–2003.
Note2: The 1st (2nd and 3rd) Institutional Division means the institutional division withthe largest (second and third largest, respectively) percentage in the productionof papers in Japan for each field. Among institutional divisions, this analysis
focuses on the following five institutional divisions with large paper shares inJapan: national universities; public universities; private universities; special
corporations/independent administrative corporations; and businessenterprises.
Note3: In clinical medicine, “hospitals” played a larger role in terms of the number of
papers during the period of 2011–2013, than special corporations/independentadministrative corporations.

(Source) Benchmarking Scientific Research 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐239, released on August 5, 201515

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

Science and Technology Indicators 2015

 Japan has maintained a high share of the number of patents (the number of patentfamilies) for the last 10 years, Korea and China are catching up with Japan in sometechnological fields.
<Shares of the number of patent families(whole counting method)><Comparison of shares of the number of patent families for eachtechnological field (%, 1998–2000 and 2008–2010, whole counting
method)>Share of the number of patent families(3-year moving average [%]) (whole counting)Japan(Caution Axis scale )Electricalengineering
50

40

40

Other

35

ICT

30
20
Transport
equipment

30

Generalmachinery10
025
Bio/medical
devices

Mechanicalengineering

20
Biotech/pharma

Korea

15
10

Note: “Patent family” refers to a group of patentapplications made to two or more countries
that are tied directly or indirectly by priority
rights.

Patent family share (1998–2000)
パテントファミリーシェア(1998-2000)
Patent family share (2008–2010)
パテントファミリーシェア(2008-2010)

Chemistry

China

Electricalengineering
20
Other

15

ICT

Electricalengineering
20
Other

15

10

5

10

5

Transport
equipment

Generalmachinery

0

0
1982

86

90

94

98

U.S.

U.K.

Japan

China

France

Korea

02

06

2009
Year

Germany

5

Transport
equipment

Generalmachinery0

Mechanicalengineering

Bio/medical
devices

Biotech/pharma

ICT

Chemistry

Mechanicalengineering

Bio/medical
devices

Biotech/pharmaChemistry

Note: Three‐year moving averages of shares of the number of patent families in alltechnological fields (for 2009, the average of 2008, 2009 and 2010)(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐238, released on August 5, 201516

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

Science and Technology Indicators 2015

 Although Japan’s strength lies in technology (number of patent applications), it has not

expanded such technology in the form of introducing new products and services on aninternational scale (number of trademark applications).
<Cross‐border trademark applications* and patent applications** (per 1 million population)>Japan

Cross-border trademarks * per 1 million population

160

U.S.

Germany

France

U.K.

Korea

This shows time‐series changes during 11 years from thestarting point of 2002 to the end point of 2012.

*

Number of cross‐border trademark applications: an indicatorrelating to the situation of the introduction of new products andservices overseas** Number of cross‐border patent applications: an indicator tomeasure a technological level(triadic patent family)

140
120
100
80

• The balance between the number of trademark
applications and of patent applications indicates thatJapan, Germany and Korea have a larger number ofpatent applications than that of trademark applications.
• Notably, Japan shows a strong trend of this kind with nosignificant change for 11 years from 2002 to 2012.

'12
'02

60
'02 '12

40

'12
'02

'12
'12

'12

'02

20

• Although Japan’s strength lies in technology, it has not,as a whole, expanded such technology in the form of
introducing new products and services on aninternational scale.

'02
'02

0
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Triadic patent families** per 1 million population(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐238, released on August 5, 201517

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

Science and Technology Indicators 2015

 Japan’s superior competitiveness in high‐technology industries is eroding; however, it

maintains its high competitiveness in medium‐high technology industries.
<Changes in the trade balance ratios for high‐technology
industries in the selected countries>

3
Japan
U.S.
2

Germany
France• Japan’s trade balance in high‐technology industries has fallen
below 1, and has marked an import surplus since 2011.
• With regard to “Computer, electronic and optical”, Japan had
its first import surplus of approximately nine billion US dollars
in 2013.
• “Pharmaceutical” continue to show an import surplus (animport surplus of approximately 18 billion US dollars in 2013).

U.K.

1

0.78
0
1990 92

94

96

98

00

02

04

06

08

10

Korea

12 2013Year• Japan’s trade balance ratio for medium high‐technology
industries is 2.70, which ranks it as number one among theselected countries.
• As of 2014, “Motor vehicles, trailers and semi‐trailers” has anexport surplus of approximately 120 billion US dollars, and“Machinery and equipment n.e.c.” has an export surplus ofapproximately 81 billion US dollars.
Note: 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.”

Note: High‐technology industries refer to “Pharmaceutical,” “Computer, electronic andoptical,” and “Aerospace,”

China

6
The trade balance of
medium-high technology industry

The trade balance of high technology industry

4<Changes in the trade balance ratios for medium high‐technology industries in the selected countries>

5
Japan

4

2.70

3

U.S.
Germany
France

2

U.K.
China

1

Korea

0
1990 92

94

96(Source) Science and Technology Indicators 2015, NISTEP Research Material‐238, released on August 5, 2015

98

00

02

04

06

08

10

12 2014 Year18

Summary• Of the total R&D expenditure of Japan, the proportion that the government bears is low among theselected countries. Of the R&D expenditure of universities and colleges, the proportion thatbusiness enterprises bear is also the lowest among the selected countries.
• The number of researchers per ten thousand labor force in Japan is at a relatively high level among
the selected countries. In the past 10 years, many of the selected countries increased the number of
their researchers, whereas the number of Japan’s researchers remained mostly flat.
• The numbers of students newly enrolled in graduate schools for doctoral programs began
decreasing after reaching a peak in 2003. In particular, the number of enrolled students other thanadult students has fallen. On the other hand, the percentage of adult students among newly
enrolled students has increased.
• Although the volume of scientific papers produced in Japan has remained at the same level in recent
10 years, Japan has dropped in rank due to increasing volume of papers produced by othercountries. The presence of Japan as a co‐author for the U.S. has been weakened.
• Japan has maintained its high share of the number of patents (the number of patent families) forthe last 10 years, Korea and China are catching up with Japan in the information and communication
field and the electrical engineering field.
• Japan’s superior competitiveness in high‐technology industries is eroding. However, Japan maintains
high competitiveness in medium high‐technology industries.

19

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