Japanese technological innovation strategy: recent trends

Firstly, a review of models of the Japanese innovation process is presented and the dominant characteristics of each model are identijed. The latest innovation trends in Japan are analysed using recent examples, and a n integrative model is presented based on these. The major elements of the Japanese innovative process are as follows: (a) organizational intelligence; (b) fusion of technologies; (c) horizontal information flow structures; (d) core competence building i n generic technologies; (e) rapid horizontal duffusion of technologies; V) concurrent engineering; (g) rapid commercialization of new technologies into new businesses. National innovation policies have to be structured to enable quick response to the emerging global changes.