Is Japan still Innovative ?

With 18.8 billions JPY spent on R & D in 2008, that is, 3.8% of its GDP, Japan definitely wants to be an innovating country, trendsetter in Asia and in the world. With its record number of patents, this country has been the source of breakthroughs in various industries, like Automotive, Electronics, Telecoms, Automation and Robotics, among others. Having recognized the importance of Science and Technology, its government has strengthened in the 90s its support to technological innovation by funding fundamental research as well as key applied research projects. In 2013, what is the situation? Plagued with major structural problems, is Japan still an innovative country? What are the successes and mistakes of the Japanese example? What are the challenges and priorities? What lessons can we learn?

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(article translated in English from French)