I will be following up on a few of these in more detail but some readers might find these previews useful. I will do more of this when warranted. The reorganization is based on Japan's reflection that, whereas Japan has grown up to be an advanced high-tech nation, her strength is in manufacturing technologies and she has not made significant contributions to the world in basic technologies. MEL is the core research institute in Japan on mechanical research. However, it is now officially going to terminate its role in the applied research fields because of recent rapid technological advancements, and will transfer its emphasis to basic research which will provide seeds for creating new industries in the 21st century.
Feasibility studies start now.
MITI will expand its multi-lang machine translation system development project to include European languages. Uses an intermediate language. The project will hold its first seminar with US and EC govts in July. By '95 electronic dictionary and prototype is to be developed. Translation centers to be established in Asian countries in '93-'95.