[Reading Science] "Digitally Weak Japan, Can It Beat Korea and China?"

International Journal Nature Publishes Special Japan Edition
Focus on Science and Technology R&D Status
Recent Increase in Investment and Signs of Recovery
Digitalization Delays in AI Highlighted as Weakness

"Can Japan, which is weak in digital technology, really win the science and technology research and development (R&D) competition against regional rivals such as Korea and China?"

This is a question recently raised by the international academic journal Nature. On the 9th (local time), the journal published a special Japan edition (Nature Index - Japan). It pointed out that Japan, once a global technology powerhouse, has fallen behind major countries in recent years and is now increasing its R&D investment again. The edition focused on how Japan's R&D investment is progressing and what is needed for success.

The international academic journal Nature's special Japan edition of the 'Nature Index' published on the 9th. Photo by Nature website

Japan has struggled in the global advanced technology research and development competition over the past decade. In 2021, according to Nature’s ranking based on paper performance published in 82 leading international academic journals, Japan scored 3,185 points, placing fifth. It lagged far behind the leaders, the United States (19,857 points) and China (16,753 points), and was also behind smaller economies such as Germany (4,845 points) and the United Kingdom (3,755 points). Notably, Japan accounted for only 12.6% of the Asia-Pacific region’s share, a significant drop from 21.4% in 2015.

However, Japanese scientists see hope as the score rebounded compared to 2019 (3,105 points). Additionally, the Japanese government has recently increased R&D investment to produce results in the industrialization of science and technology and has started tailored support for young researchers. In particular, Japan has begun providing about 10 trillion yen (approximately 75 billion dollars) in funding to universities, imitating support programs run by the U.S. government for prestigious private universities on the East Coast such as Harvard and MIT.

Nature pointed out that "ensuring academic independence and whether a sufficient number of universities can benefit remain challenges," and that "more complex solutions beyond cash support are also necessary." For example, Japan has long been a leader in robotics, which requires precision processing and assembly technology, due to passionate investment and research. However, as the Fourth Industrial Revolution progresses, Japan is struggling in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which has emerged as a core technology in robotics, falling behind major competing countries.

Nature evaluated, "If Japan cannot find a way to catch up with the AI revolution, it may be difficult to maintain its current position in the robotics field," adding, "This is the current position of Japan’s overall science and technology sector, and although it still achieves impressive results, continuous nurturing efforts are necessary to maintain this."

In this special edition, Nature detailed the realities, limitations, problems, and alternatives facing Japanese science and technology research through a total of 13 articles. It advised that to regain its former status, Japan’s science and technology, which began to fall behind due to the bubble collapse starting in the 1990s and delayed digitalization trends, must achieve results in biotechnology research and activate international research and development cooperation. It introduced rising young scientists such as astronomer Kimura Mariko, high-energy physicist Wada Yuki, seismologist Kubota Tatsuya, molecular biologist Toda Yaska, and chemist Otake Ken-ichi.

Meanwhile, Nature published a special Korea edition (Nature Index - Korea) at the end of May 2020, which focused on analyzing research and development achievements following Korea’s rapid increase in basic science investment.