Preface Advances in science and technology (S&T) result in expanding roles for scientific and technological activities in socioeconomic development. It is therefore important to objectively assess S&T activities. S&T indicators are seen as a means of assisting in these assessments. The publication of this report on Japanese S&T indicators, the first of its kind, is in response to this pressing social need. Indicators are developed to quantitatively examine country trends in S&T activities from diverse angles. Moreover, because S&T activities are related in complicated ways and comprise extensive and diverse activities, assessment must be from a long-term viewpoint. The objective of this macro analysis therefore goes beyond the inappropriate compiling of fragmentary indicators.The major objective of this report is thus the development of systematically structured indicators. In preparing this report efforts have been made to systematically construct S&T indicators by collecting and classifying related data based on this system. S&T indicators have already been published in the U.S., OECD and by other governments and organizations. UNESCO studies are also available in providing indicators covering, in particular, developing countries. However, classification is often in input/output form, and moreover an integrating system is often lacking.Therefore there have been criticisms such as the criteria for selecting of indicators is not clear or that only easy-to-collect data are used. The development of indicators attempted in this report is designed to respond to such criticisms. The indicator system and the specific indicators themselves are believed to exceed many of those now available. The present indicator system structure referred to here is called the cascade structure. The Introduction which follows outlines the characteristics and objectives of the cascade structure. In addition to development of indicators, this report also has the following characteristics. Based on the system, new indicators are developed which were previously not in existence. For example most of the indicators presented in the chapter on science, technology and society (Chapter 8) are not found in similar works. Also, in other chapters several new indicators have been developed and added and novel analyses regarding existing indicators is presented. For example, Japanese R&D trends are clarified in the context of the international community from a multilateral viewpoint. Moreover, in conducting international comparisons, the report attempts to adhere to international standards as much as possible . Much time and effort has been spent in developing specific indicators and preparing this report. Collecting diverse and acquiring up-to-date statistical data and preparing and analyzing tables based on such data is a time consuming process. Despite these constraints, this indicator report has been published for the first time in Japan. Science and technology indicators would be meaningless if they are published only once, therefore the writers would like to receive frank opinions and criticisms from readers for future editions. The hope is to receive the opinions of others in order to improve future editions. Fortunately this report will be published regularly allowing for this exchange of opinions and suggestions to contribute to future reports. In preparing this report, a Science and Technology Indicators Study Group has been established within the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP) as of January 1990. Members examined and presented diverse opinions and cooperated in many ways such as reading and checking the prepared manuscripts. Their names are listed on the following page. We would like to express our appreciation for their assistance and advice. Science and Technology Indicator Study Group Members * * ( ) Denotes present post Professor Y. Nishikawa Kyoto University, Department of Engineering Professor K. Uno Keio University, Multidisciplinary Policy Department Professor H. Yaginuma Hosei University, Management Department Dr. A. Kameoka Toshiba Technology Management Division Dr. Y. Kuwahara Hitachi Limited Corp., Research Development Dr. S. Nishioka Environmental Agency, Environmental Research Institute, Environmental Research Center Professor M. Murakami Musashigaoka Junior College Mr. T. Nishizawa Institute for Future Technology Mr. Y. Miki Science and Technology Agency, Science Policy Bureau, (Research Development Division, Marine Development) Mr. Y. Kurihara Science and Technology Agency (Science Policy Bureau, Kanagawa Prefecture) Mr. M. Kawasaki National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (Japan Research Corporation) Professor F. Kodama First Theory-Oriented Research Group, NISTEP (Saitama University) Mr. C. Hirano First Survey Group, NISTEP Mr. Y. Nagahama Third Survey Group, NISTEP Mr. S. Sakamoto Second Survey Group (Ministry of Forest and Fisheries) Mr. O. Ichimaru Planning Division, NISTEP (Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Institute of Industrial Technology) Mr. K. Takano Information Systems, NISTEP Mr. S. Sahara Information Systems, NISTEP (Japan Science and Technology Information Center) Working Group Professor F. Niwa Second Theory-Oriented Research Group Professor S. Mori Science University of Tokyo Professor S. Kobayashi Bunkyo University Dr. F. Kakizaki Second Theory-Oriented Research Group, NISTEP Mr. O. Camargo Second Theory-Oriented Research Group, NISTEP Mr. F. Tomizawa Second Theory-Oriented Research Group, NISTEP Mr. F. Hirahara Second Theory-Oriented Research Group, NISTEP Dr. T. Nanahara NISTEP (Research Center of the Electric Power Companies) This report has been prepared by the Second Theory-Oriented Research Group. A major work such as this however is not accomplished by just one research group made up of several members. It is a result of cooperation by many NISTEP members. Below are the names of those who cooperated directly in the writing of this report. We would like to express our appreciation to them. Contributing Authors NISTEP Professor S. Mori First Theory-Oriented Research Group, (Science University of Tokyo) Professor S. Kobayashi First Theory-Oriented Research Group, (Bunkyo University) Dr. H. Suzuki Second Theory-Oriented Research Group, (Japan Science and Technology Information Center) Dr. T. Nanahara Second Theory-Oriented Research Group, (Research Center of the Electric Power Companies) Mr. Y. Hirano First Survey Group Mr. E. Muto First Survey Group Mr. H. Kikuchi First Survey Group Mr. M. Ishi First Survey Group Mr. E. Satou First Survey Group (Chubu Electric Power Company) Mr. H. Nagahama Third Survey Group Mr. A. Nishimoto Third Survey Group Mr. M. Taneichi Third Survey Group Ms. T. Yoko Third Survey Group Mr. Y. Kagita Third Survey Group (Presently-Kansai Electric Power Company) Mr. M. Ushitani Fourth Survey Group (Ministry of Forest and Fisheries) We would also like to express appreciation to NISTEP's Information Systems Division for their efforts in collecting data, inputting them into the computer, conducting analyses and preparing many of the tables.