Starting in 2007, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) hopes to initiate strategies to more effectively foster  partnerships between Japanese universities and foreign corporations in conducting R&D projects.  In 2005, a total of 16,936 corporate-sponsored university research projects existed in Japan. Out of those, only a handful - 41 projects - were commissioned to Japanese universities by foreign corporations. This is in stark contrast to the billions Japanese companies have invested over the years into foreign university research projects.  What is sited as the cause of the imbalance is not the lack of quality research being done at Japanese institutions, but the lack of accessibility and global-mindedness on the part of the academic community. The government's new initiative hopes to effectively turn the situation around.

Starting in 2007, the Ministry will select 10 universities to provide an annual grant of $100,000 to assist in the formulation of university TTOs (Technical Transfer Organizations). They are looking to hire professionals with international patent law expertise and a thorough knowledge of current research trends abroad. MEXT also plans to train individuals with a PhD in Science to study at existing University TTO programs abroad.  Additionally, private firms will be employed to give advisory and consultative support in linking private corporations to the appropriate faculty and research centers.

Although these are only the first steps, the willingness of the Japanese Government to support Japanese universities in building global recognition is significant, and may be a sign of more open technological exchange between Japanese researchers and foreign industry in the future. 

To find out more about MEXT's ongoing program promoting partnership between industry and academic institutions, click here.~