Innovation is a key driving force for economic growth in the 21st century in Japan and the United States. Aiming at strengthening innovative capabilities, both countries have introduced and implemented various reforms and new policies for the last ten years, through encouraging university-industry collaboration, protection of intellectual property rights, and innovation by start-up companies. The purpose of this international Symposium is to share experiences and lessons in this field between Japan and the United States and to discuss future directions for innovations systems in the 21st century. The Symposium will bring together leading experts from academia as well as senior managers from business and the policy sector in both countries.