A comparative analysis of research and development (R&D) efforts in Japan and the United States.

A comparative analysis of research and development (R&D) efforts in Japan and the United States.

Excerpt from The Science and Technology Resources of Japan: A Comparison With the United States Much quantitative information is available on Ia pan's scientific research and experimental development. While most data for the United States and Japan are directly comparable, there are some definitional differ ences in particular statistical series; in such cases, em phasis is placed on each country' s trends rather than on absolute values. Appendix A, Technical Notes, details such differences and any adjustments that were made to the Japanese or US data to make them more com parable. Another comparative problem arises when Japanese expenditures are converted into US dollars. Yen-dollar market exchange rates have become rather volatile, re ecting dynamics that are increasingly independent of the relative purchasing power of the currencies. To avoid the distortions that arise froi'n market exchange rate con versions, purchasing power parities calculated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Develop ment are used to convert yen to dollars. Additionally, gnp implicit price deflators are used to convert current dollars into constant 1982 dollars in order to provide time series data that re ect real, rather than nominal, trends in expenditures. A brief discussion of purchasing power parities is included in appendix A. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works."

This book explores the dynamic relationship between science, technology and Japanese society, examining how it has contributed to economic growth and national well-being. It presents a synthesis of recent debates by juxtaposing competing views about the role and direction of science, technology and medical care in Japan. Topics discussed include government policy, the private sector and community responses; computers and communication; the automobile industry, the aerospace industry and quality control; the environment; consumer electronics; medical care; and the role of gender. This is an ideal introductory text for students in the sociology of science and technology, the history and philosophy of science, and Japanese studies. Up-to-date research and case studies make this an invaluable resource for readers interested in the nature of science and technology in the twenty-first century.