Learning the R & D System: National Laboratories and Other Non-Academic, Non-Industrial Organizations in Japan and the United States (1989)

Summary: The Office of Japan Affairs of the National Research Council is organizing a series of workshops on the differences and similarities in the working environment for research in Japan and the US. Understanding these differences is essential to American scientists and engineers to improve access to Japan’s research system, and to expand mutually beneficial collaboration between the two countries. The bilateral dialogue on “Coexistence in a Technological World: Cooperation and Competition in R&D” consists of three workshops, focusing in turn on universities, bridging organizations, and corporations as research settings. Each workshop brings together senior scientists, engineers, and others involved in and concerned about research and development in the two countries. The second workshop on national labs and other non-academic, non-industrial organizations was held June 5-6, 1989. The discussions focused on “bridges” between national labs and other sectors in electronics and new materials research, on professional associations and consulting organizations, and on the prospects for international collaboration.