Title: Development and innovation in the Japanese chemical industry

Authors: Susumu Yoshida

Addresses: President, Sumitomo Chemical America, Inc., 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154, USA

Abstract: This paper sets out to review the process of Japan|s post-war economic development and the role of government|s industrial policy from a historical perspective. It also reviews – against the background of the fundamental changes in Japan|s economic paradigm in the aftermath of the end of the Cold War – the emergence of the Asia–Pacific region, the bursting of the bubble economy and the sharp appreciation of the yen–dollar exchange rate. In particular, the paper examines how the Japanese chemical industry is trying to meet enormous challenges through the restructuring of business operations, intensification of R&D and strategic alliances at home and abroad.

Keywords: ||bubble economy||; Japan – chemical industry; Japan – industrial policy; Japan – post-war economic policy; seniority wage and lifetime employment systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1998.002635

International Journal of Technology Management, 1998 Vol.15 No.6/7, pp.568-585

Published online: 01 Aug 2003 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article